First Communion "Dads Perspective"

  First communion, what does this really mean to those of us that are ignorant of the Catholic traditions, but would greatly like to understand them?  Well I did some extensive research and found out the whole meaning behind all of this.  Sit back and read (the italics are research) and you to will be better off.  "Most Catholic children receive their First Communion when they're seven or eight years of age because this is considered the age of reason."  Okay so I am not quite clear yet, as I don't know for certain the Catholic church understands reason, when it comes to kids, but let us move forward as we get closer to understanding.

Stud!

  So my son asked me "what does all of this mean, dad?"  Not being Catholic, my wife and her family are so I must be careful here, I replied "It means that you have received the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ."  Quickly my son said "but what is the Eucharist, dad?"  Being a proud parent that believes in god I was quick to respond "The elements of bread and wine, along with the intimate communications between believers and God, form the basis of the Eucharist ceremony."  At this point he said "so what exactly does all of that mean?"  Once again I was ready for his next question and I quickly responded, "go ask Grammie, she wrote the book."  Now if Grammie is reading this you know I am kidding, we all know you could not have written the book because you were to busy teaching the school children at the time.

Couple of studs!

   Now leading up to all of this these 7 year olds had to visit with the priest to make their first confessions.  What is a first confession for a 7 year old?   "At confession, the child will detail sins and misdeeds to a priest and receive a penance in exchange."  What kinds of sins could a 7 year old have?  " I wiped my booger on my brothers pants when he wasn't looking." Or "I put my dirty underwear back in my drawer because they were my Spiderman ones and I wanted to wear them again."  They are 7 years old, this is what they do.  As far as I know my son has yet to break any commandments, especially this one, “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.”  I do know he would like our neighbours PlayStation game set, so this could be bordering.
  I have digressed, at the expense of my mother in law who I love and adore very much, and my rant on confession, so let me get back to First Communion.  We, the parents, spent a small fortune on new clothes for our kids and we, my wife, were so excited about this day and the meaning it would hold for our oldest boy for the rest of his life.  I had visions of him up front with all the other kids, saying their prayers, singing along with some of the hymns, and most of all enjoying the experience.  Instead he had to sit with us and his three siblings, the whole time wondering when it was over so he could visit with his friends that were there.  He had to listen to a sermon, that went on far to long for a 7 year old, let alone sixty 7 year olds, and he was preached to about being left alone, desolate, and eventually dead.  Personally, I was lost 60 seconds into the sermon, and the word death is all that stuck with me.  And to think I thought this was a day of celebration and excepting Jesus Christ into your life.
  Okay so I am not Catholic, but what does that matter?  I believe in God and I am happy to raise my children as Catholics, but I do have a couple questions.  First, is there not a set format for First Communion throughout the Catholic Church, or at least a guideline that lays out how to relate to kids?  Secondly, is it common for a priest to say, "hello, I'm still here" because no one is listening as 60 kids are making there way back to their seats, along with the moms and dads that took pictures, and it is a little loud in the church.  If I am 7 years old, and my wife often says I act it, and you want me involved then get my attention, break the mold and liven it up.  Play some current sounding music, keep sermons short and interesting, not about dying or end of the world.  Get the kids involved somehow, and have them sitting together instead of scattered throughout the church with their parents and siblings, which is not very exciting to them.  Have a priest that can relate to the kids, and if he cannot relate then pass on whatever readings you can to those that can.

What a good looking group!

  Sorry I rant, but this was a big day for our family, and many others, and yet the service was forgettable, but the time at home with family was, thankfully, very memorable, thanks to my wife's hard work and my ability to stay out of the way.  For the worlds largest organization/religion my expectations were much higher and it is not the first time I have been let down.  In saying that I have seen some incredible priests that truly understood how important it was to engage the people, of all ages, and the benefits from doing so.  My belief is still here, which truly does not require a church for it to be strong, and I will instill strong beliefs in my kids, with the help of our family.  Congratulations to my son for a big day, you looked awesome and we were all very proud of you.