First Communion in Muckno Parish.

The Parish Pastoral Team is committed to following the Do This in Memory programme for First Eucharist, as recommended by the Diocese, and based on current thinking and practice, that the parish should be the central source of catechesis.

We are told that there have been positive reactions from teachers who found that it was easier to teach the Primary Religious Education Programme, because of the children's familiarity with the church and the celebration of the Eucharist. Also, the Sunday community has benefited from the infusion of life and energy which the children bring. Parent’s involvement in this preparation extends the benefits even further and provides opportunities for many to reconnect with their faith community.

According to the resource manual, Do This in Memory 2:

The Sunday Eucharist is the most appropriate context for the celebration of First Eucharist. The children have prepared for their First Eucharist together with the faith community in the context of the Sunday Mass. They have learned about their faith and what it means to belong to a community within this context. It seems strange, therefore, to even consider the celebration of First Eucharist outside the Sunday Mass. This may mean a change of tradition in some parishes, and may require strong leadership on behalf of local clergy, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges.........

..... When working together with parents who may not have experience preparing liturgy, or who are unfamiliar with the liturgical documents and principles for good liturgical celebrations, pastoral ministers will need to take extra care to direct their enthusiasm toward the primary symbols and actions of the celebration......

 ....Good Sunday habits will provide a solid foundation for a vibrant celebration of First Eucharist. Hopefully these good liturgical habits will already be in place, as a result of the experience of Do This in Memory in your parish.

The Parish Pastoral Team is striving to adhere, to the best of its abilities, to the guidelines for this programme, which are in keeping with our own mission statement:

We, the Parish Pastoral Team, inspired by and believing in Jesus Christ, seek to create and enhance a sense of identity and belonging to the faith community of the Parish of Muckno. 

The Parish Pastoral Team wishes to respect all the faith community in the parish, and do not want parents or children to believe they have to make a choice between School and Parish.

All children are welcome to receive their First Holy Communion in Muckno Parish and always have been. We will endeavour to honour and respect our schools' ethos, in a shared community Sunday Parish celebration.

We wish to be inclusive and offer every child an equal opportunity to take part in the Parish celebrations of First Eucharist, as is the case with First Penance and Confirmation.