I remember at both communion and confirmation letters being sent out letting parents know that the class was preparing for these and if they had any issues they could meet the school board/principal beforehand
So it is an 'opt-out' process. Why not go for 'opt-in', and let those who choose to participate do so.
Well, in the absence of a proper measure, let's assume none ?
OK, we I can confirm that 'none' is wrong, as in our case, getting access to the local school was the main reason for baptism.
My son made his first Holy Communion on Saturday and we had a great day. The school he attends has an up-front Catholic ethos and all children were encouraged to participate in the preparations for the sacrament. I'm not clear on the varying levels of engagement, buit no-one was asked to step out of the class.
On the day, most of the kids were in their Communion finery. Those who hadn't been baptised into the faith went to the altar same as everyone else. Those who were able to receive the host did so and those who were not received a blessing from the priest.
Some have not been baptised, others were baptised into other faiths, yet none were excluded.
This sounds like a reasonably inclusive approach, and I'm glad you had a great day. However, I have a problem with religious activities being done as part of the core school curriculum. This is indeed religious discrimination, even if ways are found to involve the heathens.
I'm struggling to believe (as some posters are suggesting) that in this day and age a school would refuse permission for a child to attend because they were not baptised.
Check out the enrollment policy of any parish school. Priority is given to children of that religion. If the school is over-subscribed, thouse who are not baptised won't get it. This kind of religious discrimination is enshrined in law.
I doubt very much that that's the main motivation behind baptism. If that was the case, why the elaborate parties, bouncy castles etc that seem to go with all christenings nowadays.
Well it definitely was the main motivation in our case. Do you reckon that we are unique?
And no, there was no bouncy castle afterwards in our case - just a simple family lunch, but I can understand the attraction of the bouncy castle if you have a load of other younger kids attending the family function.
Parents are perfectly entitled to say that they don't want their child to make their Communion (or, indeed, to send their child to a non denominational school).
The choice of multi-denominational is not a simple one. There is none in my area. Choosing this school (which of course has a waiting list) would mean a 4-mile car commute each day, instead of a 1-mile bike/walk commute. It is not a simple option.
Religion is not an essential ingredient in any other state-provided service. It should not be part of our schools.