First Communion question - non-Catholic child at Catholic school

Chicken Run

Wondered if any Catholics could answer this one for me please.

We've recently moved to Ireland and my daughter attends a very small village school in West Clare. All the other children (30) in the school are Catholic as is the school itself.

She's been raised Church of England and has learned a lot about other faiths whilst in the UK but I've brought her up to be open to the beliefs of others and that no particular religion is right or wrong - all people are entitled to their own beliefs and faith.

She's now in second class and the other 3 class members are approaching their First Communion. I'd like her to attend the Mass to support her friends and learn more. I'd hate her to be excluded (memories of Jehovah's Witness's children having to "sit out" of assemblies at school and everyone wondering why)

Any ideas on this welcome - do you think she'd be allowed in church as a non-participant ? Is it worth having a word with the priest ?
Just don't want to step on any toes.

Thanks in advance

kelly1

Hello CR, I don't see any problem with her attending the Mass. But yes, I'd have a word with the priest first.

rainbowtrout

i don't see why not, I don't see how it would be any different from a non-Catholic attending a Catholic's church wedding, after all she wouldn't be participating, just observing.

JimiTime

I am a non-denominational christian and was schooled in a catholic school. I sat in on some services without any problem whilst in school. Participated in the choir for a while also. All of this while being a pain in the teachers backside asking awkward questions the catholic faith. So i would say you'd have no hassle.

Splendour

Though have 'fallen' from the Catholic faith,I remember when my daugher made her communion there was a Methodist kid in her class. Her parents bought her a new dress and she went along to the mass so she wouldn't feel left out. To be honest, I think for most of the kids there it was all about the 'new dress' anyway...

Chicken Run

thanks so much for all the replies... I'm going to have a chat with the head teacher this afternoon about it.
She understands why she won't be making the first communion and is fine with it.

One of the other mums offered to loan her a fancy white dress for the mass but she's such a tomboy - you should've seen the face


Just didn't want to see her excluded - you've all been really helpful
x

Freddie59

Chicken Run wrote: »

thanks so much for all the replies... I'm going to have a chat with the head teacher this afternoon about it.
She understands why she won't be making the first communion and is fine with it.

One of the other mums offered to loan her a fancy white dress for the mass but she's such a tomboy - you should've seen the face


Just didn't want to see her excluded - you've all been really helpful
x

I hope she gets looked after and has a great day. Life is too short for petty squabbles - especially when they're that age. Best of luck to you. Let us know how you get on.:)

philologos

I don't see a problem, people in the Church of Ireland have always welcomed people of other Christian denominations in, and to recieve communion if they will it.

Nevyn

I sugggest you talk to your childs teacher about and if needs be the parish team for communion ( if there is one ) and / or the parish priest.

I have two non christian children in catholic school and my daughter is in currently in 2nd class and have been there already with my son.

There was no problem what so ever with my son attending with me and sitting at the back of the church to watch his classmates make their first holy communion.
He was even invited to stand with them all at the altar while the class photos were taken.

This year will be the same, only I promised to make my daugther a pink princess dress cos all the girls in her class are getting princess dresses.