Many of us can remember our First Holy Communion Day.
I remember my black pants, white shirt and tie.
I remember our little party afterwards in the parish hall at St Monica’s Moonee Ponds.
The hall is still there today.
One of my favourites was bread and butter with hundreds and thousands on top. Today they call it fairy bread.
We may not have understood too much of the theology of receiving the Body of Christ but we certainly understood the occasion to be a very important day in our lives.
Last Sunday we had seven children making their first Holy Communion. Several years ago I separated the two Sacraments – Holy Communion and Confirmation.
I felt that Holy Communion was being overshadowed by the liturgy of Confirmation.
And last Sunday was proof that it was a good idea.
I did everything I could within the liturgy to make it a memorable occasion for the children and their families.
And because it was a small group it was easier to make it more personal and special for each of the candidates.
The little party afterwards was a very happy and joyful affair.
The feedback on the day was positive. I can’t recall seeing any fairy bread so that the children can recall any on the day.
But I am sure there will be something they will recall later in life of the day they made their first Holy Communion.
