STORY - "Initiating the uninitiated."
By Tracey Edstein.

Recently a member of the diocesan community attended her grandson’s Confirmation at the Sydney Superdome. Angela and her husband felt that they were seated in a galaxy far, far away, and for them, the liturgy was more of a “show”, lacking personality. However, Vincent, aged 11, enjoyed it all and seemed moved by the event.

Soon afterwards, the same couple attended another grandson’s first Communion, this time in Canberra. This occasion was more low key, with all the communicants wearing white cassocks owned by the parish. Dominic’s father hit exactly the right note when he said to his son, “You look like a young Jedi knight!”

A recent Online Catholics article by Coonamble parish priest Peter Dresser suggested provocatively that “Confi rmation is becoming increasingly acknowledged in Australia as the great Sacrament of Departure for thousands of unsuspecting youngsters.”

Confirmation, of course, is meant to be the “middle” of the sacraments of initiation, not the end of affiliation with the worshipping community. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The sacraments of Christian initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist – lay the foundations of every Christian life… The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life.” (#1212)

The variety of experiences offered in various parishes and dioceses is an indication of the confusion that can reign, in the minds of individuals if not in the understanding of those who belong to parish sacramental teams. What is known as the “restored order” emerged from the Second Vatican Council. Predictably, implementation was slow and occurred at varying rates. The “new” emphasis was on the integral role of the community of believers. The emphasis shifted markedly from the personal – my relationship with God – to the communal – my becoming a member of the church community with a mission to further the kingdom in our time and in our world. Hence, the sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist – are an entry into a way of living, not just isolated events.

This is probably the reason that so many have reservations about sacramental occasions that emphasise the event rather than the way of life that ensues. An inordinate focus on aspects such as decorations, gifts, outfi ts (especially for girls) and suppers threatens to foster in children a sense that Confirmation and Eucharist (which ideally occur in the same liturgy) are ‘one off’ events rather than ‘markers’. As the Catechism says, “Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man (sic) receives the new life of Christ.” (#1420)

Belonging to the Body of Christ (Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Sacraments of Initiation for Children policy with commentary, 2003) says, “The completion of Christian initiation marks a beginning rather than an ending, the beginning of a life-long journey of faith, lived in and with Christ in his Body, the Church.”

The Ken Loach film Raining Stones (1993) is an incisive social commentary on the ills of the capitalist system, set on a Manchester council estate. A key element of the plot involves unemployed father Bob’s determined efforts to fund an expensive dress for his daughter’s First Communion. His wife says, “There’s no law says she has to have a new dress,” but Bob retorts, “I say.” It is easy to claim that Bob needs to realign his priorities – he does – but at the same time, he has clearly been ‘sold’ on the importance of externals where sacraments are concerned. Suffice to say that if Bob and family had lived in the Canberra parish mentioned above, he would have had one less major problem.

Every parish is different, yet every parish faces similar challenges. While Dorothy Locke of St Paul’s Parish Rutherford would not call herself the leader of the Sacramental Team, she has had a longstanding commitment to the process of initiation for children and their families. “Everyone has their own specialty.” Gay and Doug Nean host a sausage sizzle to bring families together in a relaxed setting. Suzanne Goodman has a close relationship with St Paul’s Primary School and her knowledge of the children as individuals makes her “an integral part of the Team” according to Dorothy.

A feature of the Rutherford approach is a “sacramental day” in which all the confirmands participate. It includes prayer, group activities, practice for ‘the big night’ and the presentation to each child of a personal letter from parents. At other times, groups of parents and children meet regularly. Dorothy has noticed that the “groups build into a lovely community”.

Louise Kevin has been a member of the Sacramental Team of St Patrick’s Parish Lochinvar since 2003. Louise Mahony and Debbie Brewer provide support and guidance. Louise paints a picture of a community coming to terms with the “restored order” and embracing the ideal of significant parish involvement.

“We are blessed to have a faith community that is eager to support and welcome the children and their families through the preparation process for the Sacraments of Initiation. A great relationship exists between the classroom teacher, Religious Education Co-ordinator, principal and the Sacramental Team.

“The candidates and their families are presented to the faith community at the beginning of their preparation - this seems to be a very positive and special experience for all involved.”

The parish has taken to heart the injunction of Belonging to the Body of Christ that “any parish programme set up to facilitate the process of initiation has not only to nurture and support the faith of the child but also that of the whole family.”

At Lochinvar, a booklet is completed at home, with parents and children collaborating, and evenings focusing on prayer are held in the church for parents and candidates. As Louise says, “Probably the biggest diffi culty for all involved was time – but then this is a valuable commodity for us all. The programme is designed to encourage parents to share and spend some quality time with your child sowing the seeds of faith.”

A particular strength of the Lochinvar approach (which is similar to programmes in many parishes) is that it encourages the children and their families to participate in Sunday liturgies regularly. As Belonging to the Body of Christ says, “Children need to experience the worship of the faith community at the Sunday Eucharist by exchanging greetings, listening, seeking and granting pardon, giving thanks, and celebrating.”

In fact, one writer on the subject of sacraments of initiation went so far as to say, Are children ready for the sacraments? Wrong question. Are we (the community and family) ready to undertake the initiating ministry? (JW Moudry, in JB Dunning (ed) Readings in the Christian Initiation of Children 1994).

Louise Kevin concludes, “I have enjoyed being part of the sacramental team and I feel that it is a special experience to see seeds being sown in the church’s future followers. It is also a great feeling to have parents and parishioners approach the team to say ‘Thanks’!”

Sr Maureen Salmon RSJ is the Co-ordinator of the Sacraments of Initiation for Children. She is available to assist parish sacramental teams and can be contacted through the Diocesan Pastoral Support Unit (02) 4979 1150.

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