The Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin has launched a
campaign to curb excessive spending associated with First Holy Communion
celebrations.
It is part of a set of guidelines on First
Communion and First Reconciliation (confession) outlined by
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin."I believe that there’s something wrong with extravagance," said Dr Martin, launching the diocesan policy document on First Communion preparation.
"First Communion has to be something simple and I think we have to try and keep to that. It’s up to every parish then to decide what way they go about that so there isn’t that sort of expense. One should be very clearly looking at the amount of money spent on outfits and sometimes transport and partying as well. Parishes should encourage people to celebrate the sacrament with the simplicity and authenticity which will help the child to fully understand the mystery of the Eucharist," he said.
The guidelines will see children making their First Communion at a regular Sunday Mass — possibly in small groups — to avoid extravagance.
The way children are prepared for First Communion in Dublin will also see a shift of focus from the school to the parish.
"I think it’s moving away from the enrolment policy, which was in the past, to a commitment policy," the Archbishop said surrounded by young pupils at St Columba’s national school in Glasnevin.
Preparation will involve a year-long process in which parents are given a central role. The diocesan policy document identifies an 11-step programme, beginning the previous summer with consultation between the parish team and school staff.
Fr Kieran McDermott, Diocesan Vicar for Evangelisation, said they wanted to refocus on the fact that there are three partners involved in forming young Catholics in their faith — the home, the school, and the parish.
Dr Martin said it may be some time before reforms are adopted throughout the archdiocese, which covers most of the counties of Dublin and Wicklow, and parts of counties Carlow, Kildare, Laois and Wexford.