Melanie McDonagh (“Bread of heaven”, Parish Practice, 15 August) outlines some good ideas for communities that wish to preserve traditional hymns by ensuring young children come to love them. However her sideswipe at Irish Catholics, where she describes the First Communion process as a “tiresome precursor” to parties with bouncy castles and a “collection of swag” is unnecessary. Of course, there are a variety of ways to celebrate a First Communion; many families gather together for the event and for some the bouncy castle is a must. But this comment does not acknowledge the perseverance of Irish Catholicism in the wake of great hurt and scandals in our Church, and paints us as a crowd of idiots who do not understand the importance and depth of the sacra