Zug parishes celebrate White Sunday in small groups

The Corona Rules have forced the Zug parishes to carry out smaller versions of their traditional large-scale events, and this caused some displeasure among parents in the case of the First Communion celebrations. Thanks to livestream, relatives from all over the world could now also watch.

First Communion celebrations are among the most important and popular occasions in the Catholic calendar, with the major churches filled to bursting on these days. There are processions, which are festively framed by the local music societies. The small main actors are dressed in glamorous white, with the girls often with lavish hair styles and garlands.

At first glance, it seems almost impossible to reconcile such a festival with the current corona measures. At the moment, the protection concepts only allow 50 people to enter the church.

This had led to heated discussions in the run-up to the event, explains Pastoral Room Manager Michele Adam from Rotkreuz. "We have experienced frustration and anger from parents." Some wanted to postpone the celebration. "But we have no guarantee that the situation will change for the better in the near future." The leaders of the pastoral area Zugersee Südwest thereby decided to celebrate in Rotkreuz, Risch and Meierskappel over three weekends in eight small groups. In each class, the children were allowed to organise their own mass and, depending on the numbers, could invite four to six relatives.

Photo 1: In Oberägeri, a group of parents conjured up a veritable forest in the church, following the theme of "Natural First Communion". Here, they are rehearsing together: (from left) Annemarie Kenel, Catechin, Urs Stierli, community leader, Cristina Tomasulo, catechist, and Pia Schmid, catechist.
Photo 2: The entry into the church also has to be practiced.
Photo: Matthias Jurt (Oberägeri, April 14, 2021)

"There are many advantages to this," says Adam, who witnessed the first part of the masses on the weekend of 10 and 11 April. "The children are less distracted, and follow the mass with more concentration. The atmosphere is more family-oriented, focused and contemplative." Instead of a long procession with the local music society, there was a short one with organ music, and the child-friendly songs were sung by a committed singer. "The children accompanied one of the songs with movements. That was very nice," says Adam. Those who remained at home were allowed to follow the fairs via livestream. "The feedback after the first weekend was consistently positive."

Welcome offer for expats
Similar experiences were also experienced by catechist Nicoleta Balint from the parish of St. Michael in Zug , where the celebrations took place over two weekends. "The expat children in particular were very happy about the live broadcast of the masses." That didn’t happen in the past. This year, however, relatives in France, Austria, Poland, Hungary, the USA and Mexico were also able to celebrate with them.

Nicoleta Balint also noted that the experience in small celebrations is more intense for the children. "Every single person is more at the centre of attention." The 39 first-time communicants were divided into six groups of six to seven children each. "They were allowed to invite seven to eight relatives each." The families were informed at an early stage by means of a parental letter. "They showed understanding of the situation, and were glad that we had decided not to postpone." Individual appointments requests were also addressed where possible.

An additional divine service for the rest of the congregation
The catechist is sad that there will be no grand entrance accompanied by music from a brass band. "It was always very festive and really went under the skin," she recalls. The organ music and singing by a soloist is a worthy alternative, however.

"Unfortunately, we had to give up the Sunday morning service for the parish last weekend," says Nicoleta. This was simply due to a lack of staff, and the regular services for the parish will take place in St. Oswald's Church on the weekend of 17/18 April , however, when three First Communion celebrations will also take place.

Simple and beautiful
Five celebrations for the 34 first communicators took place In Oberägeri on 17 and 18 April, with each child being allowed to invite six relatives. "This is a completely new experience for all of us," says community leader Urs Stierli positively. "Different, but great," he is convinced. It is also quite nice to celebrate in a small circle. Beforehand, he and his team asked the parents for their opinion. "There were very different reactions. Some wanted to postpone, others were in favour of implementation."

In consultation with the catechists, the decision for the five celebrations was made on the same weekend, and was announced in a parental letter. "We then used half an hour of meeting time for parental discussions." This was very well received,” said Urs Stierli. "The parents saw that we were honestly trying to find a good solution and supported us."

The leaders of all three municipalities confirm that the organisational effort for the many small celebrations is considerable. "We carried out a one-hour rehearsal for each group," says Urs Stierli. "In addition, we were, of course, present at all five divine services." The same applied to the two catechists from Zug and Rotkreuz, whose preparation team was not increased, despite the extraordinary circumstances. "The costs for the photographer and the musicians are also multiplying," says Nicoleta Balint. A strict time for the professionals in the service of the Church, but also a very beautiful and intense one, to which all three of them were very much looking forward.