Should schools take a back seat when it comes to Communions and Confirmations?

We’re well and truly in the thick of First Communion season.

My own son, Evan, made his First Holy Communion last weekend. We had a fabulous day. The dry weather was a great bonus and everyone was very chilled out.

Having celebrated my daughter Lucy’s Communion three years ago, I found it all much more relaxed this time round. Maybe it was the 3pm ceremony as opposed to 11am last time. But I do think the difference between being a girl mum or a boy mum played a role too!

Granted, I had so much fun sitting in the salon chair next to Lucy while she got her hair curled for hers. There was no such experience with Evan! I did manage to coerce him into getting an emergency haircut the day before, but that was the end of the communion-related appointments. No tan, no nails. And I’m not just talking about the mammies here!

The main thing Evan wanted to do to mark the day was to get a milkshake from a local fast food joint. He’s easily pleased.

Popular restaurants book up months and months in advance, pretty much as soon as the First Communion dates are confirmed by the schools. By the time the notion was on me to get my ducks in a row, the restaurant I wanted to go to was fully booked. And so was my back up plan. In the words of Homer Simpson, ‘Doh!’

Thankfully, my mum stepped in and offered to throw on a turkey and ham to feed the masses at their house. Happy days.

Staying at home or opting for catering is an increasingly popular option for such events. Bouncy castles are also a staple part of many First Communion celebrations these days. Needless to say, I also missed the boat booking one of those; they go even faster than the restaurant reservations.

Now, before anyone thinks that my poor children were terribly deprived, they managed to worm their way on to three bouncy castles over the Communion weekend because everyone else we know is more organised than me. How’s that for a life hack?

The Communion ceremony itself was a wonderful occasion for the children. Their teachers had them so well prepared; they knew exactly what to do and when to do it. The school choir and orchestra were there in fine tune too.

Interestingly though, recent statistics show that just 4 per cent of primary school teachers believe schools should have responsibility for Communion and Confirmation preparation. I agree that it’s not their responsibility, but I think it’s handy that the school takes charge of it and I really appreciate it.

Honestly, if left to our own devices, I’m not sure how many of us parents would actually see it through. Here’s me, I couldn’t even book the bouncy castle.

Just a third of teachers surveyed said they teach religion willingly, while 20 per cent said they’d prefer if they didn’t have to.

I know plenty of people would be in favour of sacrament preparation being organised outside of school, but personally I’m glad of it. One way or the other though, there could well be change coming down the line for First Communion preparation.

Evan was in his element and it was a special day that he’s likely to remember for the rest of his life. Thanks to the wonderful teachers and SNAs for all their hard work and preparation for First Communions the length and breadth of the county. It’s a mammoth undertaking.

Louise Flanagan is an admin of Letterkenny Babies Facebook page and the author of the children’s book series, Dragonterra and Dream Beasts. www.dragonterra.ie

Her Parenting column features every Thursday in the Donegal News.

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