Review Sr Janet Fearns writing in Catholic Times

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My first impression of My First Holy Communion by Deirdre Mary Ascough was accidental: the book arrived at work during my lunch break. I duly opened the envelope, briefly admired the colourful volume and then put it down on the desk whilst I engaged in the serious business of a cup of coffee. Within the space of a few minutes, several colleagues, passing by my desk and noticing the book’s bright cover, spontaneously glanced through its pages. Interestingly, two of them have small children and the third is the mother of a young diocesan parish priest. She recommended it to her son, who has since ordered a copy for himself for use in his parish First Communion programme.

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My First Holy Communion is designed for serious preparation for a joyful, but enormously important occasion. It is a ‘happy’ book, with abundant colour, pictures and smiling faces accompanying solid content. Although designed for adults to use in teaching young children, it is thoroughly child-centred. It is the sort of book that a child could readily enjoy, whilst an adult would find it an interesting and useful teaching aid. The book is intended, not only to be for the immediate period of preparation for a First Holy Communion, but also as a memento of the occasion and one that will, hopefully, encourage the youngster to return to its pages in future days. Although part of me recoiled at the thought of allowing a child to write in such a lovely book in order to complete its several Q&A sections, at the same time, if it is intended as a keepsake just as much as an immediate teaching aid, it makes sense.

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In its design, there is a very attractive story book feel to My First Holy Communion. This has a dual purpose: it appeals to a small child and also allows the presentation of Salvation History in an easily digestible form, encouraging a sense of involvement within a dynamic, unfolding through the life story of its young reader. The pictures throughout the 72 pages are useful, both for discussion and for ‘show and tell’. A useful Parent’s Page offers useful explanations to those adults whose memories might be a little challenged!

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My First Holy Communion was brought to birth from the practical experience of a mother preparing her own daughter for her big day. It has, therefore, a ‘tried and tested’ feel that stands independently of the trouble taken by Deirdre Ascough and Clonmacnois Press to obtain a nihil obstat and imprimatur before its publication. In other words, over and above the prodigious amount of work expended in preparing the book for publication, they were willing and able to offer it for the Church’s scrutiny to endure that it was on the right track.

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It is interesting to note that Clonmacnois Press was established in order to publish My First Holy Communion and other such high quality books. The Director of the Press, Seán Ascough, writes:

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“The inspiration behind the book grew from a general absence of quality catechetical materials for children. First Holy Communion is also a special opportunity for parents to explore a little for themselves and this book ought to captivate them as much as it does the children… We presently have a number of translations underway with the objective of making this accessible to as much of the world’s population as possible.”

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At a time when schools and parishes are under increasing pressure from secular sources, it is essential that support is given to the families who are, after all, “the first educators of their children”. My First Holy Communion is a very valuable contribution to catechetics, whether conducted at home, in the parish or in the school setting. Whilst designed for one-to-one presentation insofar as this book is a keepsake, it can easily be adapted to a group situation: the teacher only needs to provide paper and pencils! 

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In short, My First Holy Communion is a potentially very useful book which will provide many hours of valuable exchange and understanding. By the time the First Holy Communicant writes the names of those who helped in the preparation, a prayer of thanksgiving and sticks his or her photo on the final page, the adults who have accompanied the little one on a very important journey should feel well-satisfied.