tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994073177496022401.post4429031235716028747..comments2024-03-27T15:00:33.760+00:00Comments on Catholic Commentary: Sacraments and the "semi-detached"Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09339499088443959192noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994073177496022401.post-23052758030342296132009-12-05T08:59:05.429+00:002009-12-05T08:59:05.429+00:00Thank you for your comment, Father.
1. A further ...Thank you for your comment, Father.<br /><br />1. A further thought on "courses", and, I believe, a thought particularly pertinent to first Holy Communion: a course tends to be of the nature of "catechesis" - systematic teaching in the faith - when many young children have a greater need of is "primary proclamation" - teaching of an essential core of Christian faith with the purpose of prompting conversion and conviction of faith. Probably true for Confirmation preparation, too - and the phenomenon of young people departing a parish's life after confirmation is down to failure in this regard, rather than to questions of the age or "commitment" expected in conferring the Sacrament. I am sure that "a gentle catechesis" with regard to the essential doctrine of the Eucharist, and participation in the celebration (eg learning some of the responses, and some Eucharistic songs), would be just as effective as a "course". I have pondered the idea that First Communion preparation could be entirely undertaken within the context of Eucharistic Adoration, say on the Saturday morning; followed by a celebration of Mass during which catechists could model with the children reverent participation.<br /><br />2. As I wrote my original post, I was aware of the "school admission issue" in the background, but thought not to comment on it. I have every sympathy with your response to that aspect.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09339499088443959192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994073177496022401.post-88216775132557812842009-12-04T22:42:04.941+00:002009-12-04T22:42:04.941+00:00I too am not happy with "courses". I hav...I too am not happy with "courses". I have tried them and people quickly get fed up. I tend to take Fr. Tim's view with regard to Baptism AND, I may add, with Confirmation (which has become something of a marathon of late)<br /><br />However, when it comes to First Communion preparation I am becoming quite strict because it is clear from mine and others' experiences that some parents are sadly just "jumping through hoops" and have no intention of encouraging their children in the faith - they drop them off at school and that's enough. In recent years this situation has become worse and here I think we have to make demands. Although I am not in favour of the lengthy "courses" we are asked to use for 8 year olds, I see no alternative at the moment since so many of them have hardly any experience of Church community, and having lengthy courses at least gets them to Church for part of the Mass (in the way we do it).<br /><br />I hate having to be "strict", but at times we have to be, just to wake people up to their responsibilities.Fr John Abbertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10319996483623888898noreply@blogger.com