How do the sessions move forward?
The presenter uses words that come from the parents’ responses given at that moment. This immediate appeal to the participants’ personal experience is coupled with an activity that is based on signs used in the sacraments: water, oil, light etc. Parents do not feel obliged to produce ‘right answers’ or give stereotyped responses. They may find that a deeper understanding of their own faith emerges through the shared action at each meeting. The sessions offer a space in which the individuals can move ahead at their own pace without causing them to reveal personal problems in public. That can seem quite challenging for the Team, but the sessions are shaped to keep the discussion on-course. The style enables parents to draw on their everyday knowledge and take a fresh look at how the Lord touches us all through the sacramental signs. The method is consistent with Article 1145 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
‘A Sacramental Celebration is woven from signs and symbols... Their meaning is rooted in the work of creation and human culture.’
Baptism sessions, for example, begin with the parents’ human experience of a new child
and relate that reality to the signs and symbols used in the Sacrament.
Reconciliation is based on learning about right & wrong at home - & ‘making up’. Confirmation is an opportunity for the child to take on the Promises made at Baptism. First Communion prep brings a family experience of the Passover and Last Supper
& an active sharing in the action of the Mass. That point links to a short but quite traumatic - personal incident which sharpened awareness of a problem. Here it is:
2
I said to some parents that I felt I knew well: You call this coming event ‘First Communion’. But I hear priests who say, ‘Maybe we should call it Last Communion - some children won’t be back!’ Will you be bringing your children to Mass regularly? Talk about that for a few moments. After the usual ‘small group’ chat, I asked if anyone wanted to respond. A woman stood up and in a very assured and ‘final’ sort of voice said: ‘You can’t expect them to go to Mass. It is far too boring!’ The 2nd session is for such bored parents. The Liturgy of the Word, in particular, needs unpacking. Currently it is for many people, sadly, a long meaningless ramble in out-of-date language. The Liturgy of the Eucharist is not understood well either. I have seen a mother - during the Consecration - prepare food for the baby & feed him, so that he would be quiet for the only part of the Mass that meant anything to her - Communion!