User:rorynoonanDate:04/05/2013Time:07:22:46Edition:04/05/2013Satsatecho040513Page:1Color:
EE - V1
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013
EDITION NO. 34,903
Serving Cork for 120 years
Communion day spend tops e2k Jamelia to pen songs for Keith’s new CD Voice of Ireland winner Keith Hanley, taking a break from meeting fans in Cork city, is to start work shortly on his new CD. See page five. Picture: Larry Cummins
WEATHER F TONIGHT
L: 9°C Cloudy intervals Winds: SW at 7-14 mph
04.05.13 Recommended retail price €1.50
Bishop pleads with families to be sensible
By ANN MURPHY
PARENTS are spending up to €2,000 on their children’s First Communion, splashing out on expensive dresses, horse-drawn carriages, Hummers limousines and extravagant parties. Despite the recession and the recent axing of the grant for religious ceremonies by the government, parents are continuing to splurge on the occasion. One parent told the Evening Echo said her expenditure includes a two-day celebration which will have a sit down meal on the day of the ceremony, and a DJ, candy buffet and personalised lollipops for a party at home on the following day. The family has spent more than €1,000 on her daughter’s clothes and jewellery for the occasion, while another father spent €1,000 on his daughter’s dress and accessories. Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley has criticised the excessive
Some parents are spending more than e1,000 on Communion dresses.
Picture: Picture posed by model
spend by parents and said the focus needed to remain on the sacrament: “It is not appropriate that any family by spending large amounts of money would put themselves under financial pressure for what is a religious event.” ● See pages 2 and 3 for more.
RRP: e1.50