3657 Holy Communion!

My two boys both went to catechims classes. We were living in the centre of a small village and they were both willing to go. They enjoyed the classes to a certain extent, although sometimes prefered not to go. I was brought up a Presbyterian and my husband is a lapsed catholic, neither of us is a regular church goer but will gather with the rest of the village on special occaissions such as Christmas, Easter and first communions. I have found the processions to be very spiritual and moving. I wrote about the religious life of our village in Italy Mag in the April edition last year.
The positive things about catechism classes are:
Community involvement - your child will tell you when there is a significant feast day coming up.
Religion - does give children some sense of the big answers that can often be quite frightening. What happens when you die etc. Being taught religion as a child dosen't end the thinking that she may develop as an adult.
Understanding bible stories and therefore many of the motifs in famous artworks.
Finding Religion as a subject at school easier to do. I know some kids who don't do catechism and they find it very difficult.
Fitting in. In many aspects of you child's life there will be occaissions when she will be involved in religious observations.
The rites of passage such as first confession, first communion and cresima (confirmation) are marvellous times when you celebrate your child's life and the community celebrates with you.
The village people are aware we are not religious and have never had a difficulty with that. I cannot cross myself, nor do my husband and I take communion, but we have no sense of exclusion when we do attend church as a family. I enjoy it enormously and don't feel hypocritical.
I am trying to think of the negative side and the only one I can think of is that my older son was a bit overwhelmed with the meaning of life when he was approaching his confirmation. He was serious about his commitment and that suprised me. Also our Italian friends spent a huge amount of money on the restaurants and new clothes for their childen's first communions while we have just had wonderful family meals with friends.
all the best with your decision
Christine

Thank you Christine.

I have no problem with the reglion thing at all, in fact in some ways I like the sense of community and belonging it gives. And as you say it answers some questions for her. I myself was taken every Sunday by my Granddad in England and have to say loved it. My husband doesn't have such fond memories.

I have my own belief system that doesn't quite fit the Catholic Church's but I have no problem with the Catholic Church otherwise I wouldn't have sent her to a school run by Nun's I just don't feel strongly enough to drag my children to church every Sunday.....

I must say that I was in the same boat as you. Went to Sunday school myself and had fond memories. I probably wouldn't have given it much thought but as you have been, we were approached by the local nun and the kids went. For us it was every Saturday and then changed to Sunday at 10am before Mass. We were not under any pressure to attend ourselves and the kids were not quizzed as to why we did not go to mass. So perhaps it may not be a question of dragging your child to church.
Perhaps you could try and see if your child likes it and if she does not wish to continue, explain to your priest that you are not catholic.

.

I was raised as a Catholic and dragged to Saturday evening service from about 3 years onwards by my grandparents! Found it very boring at the time...

The service was in the old, austere church done by an old priest whom I didn't like at all. Around the time I was 7, a new type of church called the Ark (Arche) opened near where we lived and my mum & I attended there - they included children in the service, making bible history easier to understand by doing roleplays & singing different hymns.

In preparation for my Communion at the age of 9, I made some nice friends and learnt alot in a less austere way too, although that took place in the old church (grandparents insisted). I also then went to confirmation at 12. Shortly after I stopped going to church at all and in the meantime it has become a little 'luxury' to attend at certain times of the year - and actually enjoy it.

I'm still in two minds about it - disagreeing with the Vatican's policy and secrecy and the 'requirement' of attending regularly. But I'd still have any children baptised in the Catholic church to give them the chance to find out at first hand. My fiance is of no particular faith and is happy to follow my suggestions...

As we're looking into the 'topic' of offspring, this question will surely come up one day... :)

[QUOTE=Kirstin]Wanted a general opinon from those of you who live here and have children.

My daughter is 8 and the Priest mentioned it was time to start her catacisms. I have absolutely no prblem with her doing or not doing. It up to her BUT I wondered was it something that a good Italian parent does without consideration (i.e. if she does't do it she'll be the only one not) or do many parents just not do it?

By the way she goes to a school run by nuns.

Advice wanted.[/QUOTE]

Kirstin, most of the Italians we know bring up their children as Catholics, even if they themselves previously didn't go to Mass regularly and/or are slightly critical of Church ideology, views of the Vatican, etc. Often, it's having children that makes them return to the Church, albeit irregularly. But First Holy Communion is a must - think of all that dressing up and presents if nothing else! Little girls especially love it and I would have thought be rather resentful if they had to miss out. I'm going to one in a couple of weeks' time, it's a lovely occasion. V