[old and tired]

There are some parishes nearby me who have put off first Communion until third grade. They feel the children are better catechized if they wait the extra year.

Nearly every Catholic child receives First Communion, but my understanding is CCD enrollment drops significantly after First Communion. If that is the case, I guess it is a good idea to receive the sacraments together. Many children are deprived of the extra graces available through the sacrament of Confirmation.

Either way, this is another one of those things that I imagine people feel very strongly about one way or the other, but I can see good arguments on both sides.

[sinkspur]

When this is discussed with parents of prospective first communicants, the first thing out of the mouths of parents (mothers, mostly) is "If you confer Confirmation now, how am I going to get my kid to religious ed classes?"