Would you interpret this as no children allowed??

[Communionmom]

DS is making his 1st Holy Communion in a few weeks. Got a letter home today and it's making me wonder. It says each child is allowed 8 people to accompany them and the role of these people is to lead the responses of the mass. Then it states "The 1st Hold Communion ceremony is for participants only - it is not an occasion for spectators as past experience suggests they cannot be relied upon to behave appropriately in a place of worship."

On one hand it sounds like it means no children but then I'm thinking it means no people like professional photographers (yes, people do that here).

I do have a younger DS but he's definitely coming with us!

I would interpret it as don’t bring the non-religious family members.

I read that as just limiting numbers, probably due to space. Any maybe just the correct religion (Catholic?)

I would interpret it as immediate family only not great aunt Doris from up road.

Really weird wording but the participants not spectators bit suggests to me that Grandma isn’t welcome if she’s not Catholic

Says immediate family for me

To be fair, I would say the vast majority of family would be Catholic.

Interpreting it as the same religion (Catholic) is almost worse in 1 way. There is a girl in the class who is Church of Ireland. If she got this letter home it almost reads like she couldn't/shouldn't go to see her classmates at the ceremony. However, it is a church ceremony so she has to be allowed to go (not participate obviously)

As an Anglican, the main occasion at which people "don't behave appropriately" is during baptisms - extended family into the 20-30s in number, all dressed up as if for a night club (or in some cases a court appearance), chatting loudly during the service and in some cases clearly the worse for wear.
So it may be the case that these large gatherings (more Cousin Fred with the neck tattoos and his girlfriend of two weeks in the bodycon dress, than Auntie Doris) are similar.
One of the churches we have been to generally had these occasions during the service but it got quite disruptive so they moved to a separate slot if you didn't explicitly ask for one during the service (e.g. if you are a regular churchgoer at that parish). My friend who isn't regular (or at least, wasn't at the time, but is going fairly often now) asked for a separate slot but ended up sharing it with a family who she said definitely thought it was an over-18 event.

I will now let go of my judgy pants.

I’d read it as people who will also be taking Communion.

No heathen relatives allowed.

Very ambiguous!

Ha I think @drspouse has nailed it!

I would read it as children (and adults!) allowed as long as they know how to behave in church

The mention of ‘responses’ and ‘participants’ makes me think that this is about engagement. I interpret it as meaning that an audience of silent spectators is not wanted but those who will actively and respectfully participate in the service are welcome regardless of age or denomination.

Lovely inclusive church you've got there...

The priest is very old-school and always after money. He’s got a lot of people pissed off in other parishes he’s been placed in too.

I'd interpret it as the only people allowed are those that know when to stand/sit/join in/kneel as required and they don't want anyone else.

I’d say they have had a bad experience in the past with people not behaving appropriately because they were there by duress and did not support the participants by making the responses etc. Nothing against kids at all - unless they fall in that category.

I forgot the "talking on their phone during the service" variation.

I'd just ignore it and bring who you want.

Very poorly worded as completely open to interpretation and misunderstanding. I think you need to get in touch with school/church (whoever is organising) and ask for clarification.

These are supposed to be family occasions so poor form if children are excluded.

I'd say that's family/friends who know how to behave in church. Not necessarily Catholic, but those who would appreciate the ceremony.

We were only allowed 8, my mum (RC) and dad (CofE) came, DH and his brother (both CofE), me and our Dds (RC), and my grandma (CofE). Equal split between Catholics and church of England participants!

My brother who is atheist (lapsed Catholic) didn't come.