First Communion

This took place yesterday as part of the regular Sunday mass. No fake tans or helicopters here! but the girls did wear white dresses and the lads their bit of style. There was no fuss in the preparation beforehand either. Most was done in class with a trip to the church on Friday from 2.30-3.30. I did the choir and in just over a week did 10 songs, three mimes and involved Grade Six boys on guitar and drums (hidden at the back of the photo)! It came together in the end though it was somewhat stressful. In all honesty no more stressful than at home when we would be preparing for months. Here the emphasis is very much on the ceremony as part of the parish/community mass. It was lovely. Parishioners had helped in the preparation with the Australian equivalent of 'Do This In Memory of Me'. many of them came back to the school afterwards for a cuppa. The kids went home or locally for something to eat.

The sacraments of First Reconciliation and Confirmation were equally low key but none the worse for that. Interestingly they make First Reconciliation in Grade Two, Confirmation in Grade Three and Communion in Grade Four: remember the order we learned them in the Catechism? Interesting also, the change back to the order in the early church and the age groups for each.