Your child’s First Holy Communion is a very exciting time in their life, and one that, of course, requires a family celebration – but a prominent figure from the Irish Catholic Church is advising parents to tone things down this year.
John Buckley, the Bishop of Cork and Ross, has urged parents around the country to be ‘sensible and moderate’ when it comes to marking their little one’s special day.
According to local publication The Evening Echo, a spokesperson for Bishop Buckley has released a statement calling for families to focus on the most important aspect of the day: the sacrament.
Bishop Buckley has called on parents to turn their attention to ‘the encounter between the child and Jesus’. And while he accepts that it’s a day to celebrate, he added that anything that ‘would come between the child and the reception of the Eucharist should be avoided.’
It is believed that the bishop is referring to the trend of spending massive amounts of money on elaborate dresses and suits for the big day, as well as the ‘after-parties’ both at home and in local establishments.
One aspect of the First Holy Communion that has proven divisive over the past year or so is the growing trend of getting incredibly fancy, bespoke dresses made.
Indeed, Evening Echo author Ann Murphy refers to the revelation that a number of Cork families have placed orders with Liverpool-based dressmaker Thelma Madine, of Thelma’s Big Irish Communions and Big, Fat Gypsy Weddings fame.
Thelma’s Big Irish Communions, which first aired last year on TV3, featured the process of creating a number of extravagant dresses for children as young as seven, for their First Holy Communion.
Featured families forked out thousands to create fairytale-inspired dresses for these little girls, who ordered massive skirts complete with bling, jewels and bows.
The Communion Day attire aside, parents and schools alike have also expressed concern over the expense being shelled out for the ‘afters’ of the day, with families renting out marquees, photo booths and bouncy castles in a bid to organise the perfect day for their little darlings.
What do you think of Bishop Buckley’s latest comments? Do you agree that the focus needs to be put back on the religious aspect of the day? Let us know.
