? about 1st Communion invites

[Roemama1]

My DD is making her 1st Communion May 1st. My DH seems to think it necessary to invite 2 of our neighbors to the party who we've been to their kids graduations, etc. (I am very friendly with the neighbors and have occasionally done things socially with them).

Anyhow...here's my problem. One of the neighbors is not Catholic. They are Christian and go to a Christian church. I guess my question is "Do you invite people that are not Catholic and don't understand the meaning of 1st Communion to the party?"

My hubby thinks that because we were invited to their kids' graduation parties that we should invite them? What do you think?

 

[monkeyboy]

Sure invite them
Knowing what Communion is, should not be a prerequisite for a social function.

 

[Christine]

Well, I am going to a 1st Communion on May 8th for my goddaughter. Guess what? I'm not Catholic!!!

I've been to a few 1st Communions and I understand what they are about even though it is not my religion. I think it is a nice gesture to invite them as it is a very important day for your daughter.

 

[bananiem]

My In-laws are not Catholic but they come to my children's 1st Communions. I would guess that all Christian religions do some type of Communion and your neighbors would understand that it is an important step. They'd probably be pleased to be asked.
On the other hand, if they're the kind to try to convert people to their religion...I wouldn't invite them. That wouldn't be appropriate on a day like that.
I also would either invite both neighbors or neither. Not just one.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Of course invite them -- they sound like they're close friends. There's no requirement that all people attending a First Communion must be Catholic any more than requiring all people attending a Bar Mitzvah to be Jewish.

 

[Roemama1]

Originally posted by Bob Slydell
Of course invite them -- they sound like they're close friends. There's no requirement that all people attending a First Communion must be Catholic any more than requiring all people attending a Bar Mitzvah to be Jewish.

Thanks so much for everyone's reply! I guess I never thought of it that way, Bob. I guess I just thought it was inappropriate or they would be offended but I guess not if you put it that way. Thanks everyone.

 

[DMRick]

Christians celebrate Communion, and I'm sure they will have no problem understanding the importance of it. While some of the believes may be different, Communion is very important in all churches that celebrate it. Even if the person didn't attend church, they most likely will want to celebrate any occasion that is important to you. I may not have a child getting married, for instance, but I would want to see your child's wedding, if we were friends.

 

[Regina]

Heck, my DH isn't Catholic and I've let him come to our kid's Communion parties. (I couldn't avoid it, he lives here. )

Seriously, it's a celebration and all of your friends and family should feel welcome to attend.

 

[Disney Doll]

I've been invited to bar and bat mitzvahs, and I'm not Jewish. Actually, DH and I were asked to do a reading at the bat mitzvah we attended last year...kind of funny to see the names of 2 Irish Catholics doing the first bat mitzvahs reading!!! Turned a few heads in the synogague when we got up there, but the family are firends of ours and that's what they wanted, so we did it.

 

[Roemama1]

Originally posted by Disney Doll
I've been invited to bar and bat mitzvahs, and I'm not Jewish. Actually, DH and I were asked to do a reading at the bat mitzvah we attended last year...kind of funny to see the names of 2 Irish Catholics doing the first bat mitzvahs reading!!! Turned a few heads in the synogague when we got up there, but the family are firends of ours and that's what they wanted, so we did it.

That's funny!!!!

Thanks so much everyone. I guess I was just being silly!!!

 

[tar heel]

If they are good friends, of course you should invite them. I'm Christian and I've been to a bris and expect to be invited to a bar mitzvah this summer.

 

[JetMom]

Originally posted by dvcreg
Heck, my DH isn't Catholic and I've let him come to our kid's Communion parties. (I couldn't avoid it, he lives here. )

I was about to post that my Dad is not Catholic, but he was always around for our First communions!

I guess when someone is paying for the party they kind of have to be there!

Seriously, I agree with the other posters-- if these people are good friends, they should definitely be invited.

 

[JerseyJanice]

By all means, you should invite them.

Are you having a party after the Mass? If so, they certainly don't have to attend the Mass, but can come to the party afterward.

My son's first Communion is on May 16. Very few of our guests will attend the Mass, but we'll have a big crowd at the party later on.