Limerick quads make their Holy Communion in style

HOLY Communion day is a busy one for all families but imagine the scenes in the Slattery household with four children celebrating the sacrament!

Caherconlish quadruplets Mollie, Amelia, Lily and Lucas, aged 8, made their Holy Communion with their school friends in Caherline church on Saturday.

At 11pm on Friday night, mum Grace was onto Ursula, of Ursula Jean Communion Wear, on how to feed the hoop into a dress, and at 7am on Saturday morning Mollie, Amelia and Lilly were down with Majella, of MB Hair Design, to get their long locks looked after. Dad James and Lucas could have a lie-in.

“We’re all shattered,” laughed Grace when she spoke to Limerick Live this Monday morning.

But they all made it to the church on time - Mollie, Amelia, Lily looking resplendent in their white dresses that they chose themselves - and Lucas, who was suited and booted, looked very dapper.

“Fr Roy Donovan (parish priest) mentioned the chaos that must have been in the Slattery household which I thought was lovely. Fr Roy is fabulous. It was a lovely Mass. Their teacher Mr Whelan had all the children so well rehearsed. They were all so good and not distracted by anything. They were perfectly on point,” she added.

Mollie, Lily and Lucas did readings while Amelia brought up a framed photo of the class as one of the gifts.

“They’re not shy - trying to hold them back is the problem! They are all real social butterflies,” smiled Grace.

It is hard to believe that when they were born in 2014 Amelia weighed 4.3lbs; Lucas, 3.10lbs; Lily, 3.4lbs and Mollie, 2.15lbs.

After the Holy Communion they got photos taken by Sinead Kiely and then onto Mulcahy’s for a family celebration and a science show which Grace had booked. 

“We had a great day - it was absolutely fabulous,” said Grace. Although, she and James have depleted much financial and energy resources as a result.

“I’ve been saving for a while and we’ve had a lot of help. It is a huge expense, it is insane actually how much money was spent on it. I actually wouldn’t like to add it up - I’d say I’d give myself a fright! But we said we are only going to do it once and said just go for it.

“Myself and James have been talking about it - it is a big milestone. The night feeds, nappies, getting them to sleep through the night, going from cots to beds, terrible twos, first day of school - all the things you hear about when you have a baby - are done. Now we feel like we are starting the next stage, the pre-teens and then the teens,” said Grace.

Mollie, Amelia, Lily and Lucas didn’t lose out on presents either for their Holy Communion because there are four of them.

“I tried to say to people don't even worry about it, a fiver in a card and the kids would be delighted but people were just generous. It was unbelievable. 

“My biggest fear was that people might not come to it because they felt they couldn't afford it but people were just so generous,” said Grace.

They also made the Holy Communion a double celebration as the quads are turning nine on May 26 and Grace says there won’t be another big party!

“They understand that too, they are so good. They are all such good friends but they kill each other as well over everything so our house is always noisy and loud but we are happy,” smiles Grace.

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Fr Roy Donovan had the honour of christening Mollie, Amelia, Lily and Lucas and now saw them make their Holy Communion.

“It was a wonderful, joy-filled First Communion celebration last Saturday for the 21 children in Caherline Church.  It all came together on the day including the beautiful weather. Even Summer had arrived it seemed.

“The Slattery quads brought an extra dimension. Their dynamic of four, I believe, added an extra spirit and oneness to the class. This Communion class are a big credit to their parents, school and parish. They owned the ceremony, were full of confidence and enjoying living in the moment – drinking up all the attention and love,” said Fr Roy, as he is affectionately known.

The parish priest said it is usually one child from a family receiving First Communion but the Slattery quads shared the limelight equally. 

“They are used to sharing and having others in their consideration.  Yet they come across to me as very strong individually and very much their own persons. We have a parish Communion programme operating since last October combining those from Caherline and Caherconlish schools. A Communion parents committee, including Grace, run the programme.  

“They organised six monthly weekend Masses in which the children had full participation and involvement. It concludes with a final Mass on May 27 in Caherconlish Church.  These monthly experiences make the children feel very important in themselves as well as in the parish and enables them to grow in great confidence. It enabled them to fully enjoy their Communion day.

“I believe the children experienced something that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. The Communion experience makes me stand back, wonder and ponder on 'why is it that there are so many good people in our world'?” said Fr Roy.