Inspired by Wal-mart

[Onesimus85]

Recently I was at Wal-mart in the card section with a friend of mine. I saw a card in the religious section that said, "Happy First Communion". While I do believe that the remembrance of the last supper is important, I was outraged that someone was making money off of the sacraments. Then I began to wonder, "How many people actually take communion seriously?" And "How many people understand the depth of what the sacraments mean?". I am beginning to think that our congregations have made communion something that is merely a motion and that they do not really understand why it is called HOLY communion. Why aren't churches teaching about what communion really is?

[MoonlightParade]

here, hear!!!

[desert_island_1]

i agree! I think any person who does not truly understand what communion is should try going to a Catholic School for 9 years. Then you would understand what it means because it is grilled into you!

[WiredSpirit]

In some bodies first communion is call for celebration. They obviously have a different understanding of the eucharist than we do. Here are some first communion party ideas: http://occasions.gmnews.com/news/2003/0612/Tips/

[Onesimus85]

I am not trying to offend anybody, but I see a serious problem with throwing a party like you are talking about. At my church communion is seen as a reverent time. Personally, I don't see it as a time that I should be playing games as http://occasions.gmnews.com/news/2003/0612/Tips/ suggests. I am not saying that this is wrong but it seems like we are no longer concerned with the sacredness in the Church. While it is a milestone for a child's first communion, it is also a time of humility. A time to recognize that symbolically I am breaking the body of Christ; that it is because of me that He was broken. Why is Holy Communion being portrayed as something less than sacred?

[Celticflower]

I remember being in the junior choir loft and wondering why we were never offered communion even though we had to do all the prayers and responses. We asked the choir director and she said she hadn't really thought about it. She then came up with a suggestion. If we (2nd -5th graders) had permission from our parents AND we could, to her satisfaction, explain why we celebrate communion, she would tell the ushers to serve those jr choir members who "passed" (she was also a 2nd grade teacher). It worked out great! Those of us who took the time to investigate and ask questions were able to give her the answer in a way she was satisfied with. Those who didn't care, didn't partake.