Parents are being encouraged to scale down spending on their children's First Holy Communion to relive financial pressures. John Monaghan, Vice-Chair of St Vincent de Paul, says that First Communion is a peak time of the year when the society gets calls for help from cash strapped parents.
''We have identified certain pressure points throughout the year, which we call the four Cs: Christmas, Confirmation, Communion and Clothing (for back to school)'', he said.
''You can see how First Communion has become commercialised, with little seven-year-old boys wearing three piece suits.
''Many children make their Confirmation in their school uniform and I would suggest something similar for Communion, like wearing the white alb, to take some of the expense away.''
Maeve Mahon, a Diocesan Adviser in Kildare & Leighlin, says there are ways of turning away from the material element of the celebration.
''We can't tell parents not to spend money, but for the last two years the boys in my home parish have been wearing albs at the parents suggestion,'' she said.
''Some parishes have moved the celebration from Saturday to Sunday, which changes the emphasis to being part of the community Mass and perhaps less about the hype.''
Ms McMahon is co-author of the Do this in memory of me programme which is a parish-based programme which runs from September to June and encourages parent to become actively involved in preparing their children for First Holy Communion.
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