children in mass

[socalscout]

Books, quiet toys, involving them in the Mass by asking questions of what they see are all ways to help keep your children orderly but in the end there will be disruption. Take solice in the fact that you are not alone here as well in that very Mass you are attending. Look around and you will see parents equally frustrated.

My 2 year old can take about 15 minutes then its off to the vestibule(the entrance area of the church) to hang out. Most parishes will have speakers for parents who dwell there with their "unruly" children.

Do not stop going to Mass. It will be a pain for a while but you must lead by example and I have never seen a priest say anything negative about children in Mass only uptight lay people. My answere to them are "Suffer the children unto me" . If they are good enough for Christ they are good enough for anyone else.

You are a good parent for taking your children to Mass and I applaud you.

[dandy777]

Have you ever tried suggesting the Parish Priest to organise a weekly Children Liturgy Mass? We do it at our Parish and it has turned out to be very successful and fruitful. In fact, many families attend this particular mass and it is commonly known as the Family Mass.

[Guest Rick777]

I think I might, our Sunday mass is getting to be a contest between the kids to see who could cry the loudest and run to the altar the fastest...lol

[dandy777]

[quote name='Rick777' date='Nov 15 2005, 09:52 PM']I think I might, our Sunday mass is getting to be a contest between the kids to see who could cry the loudest and run to the altar the fastest...lol
[right][snapback]790169[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]


Even though it sounds funny, there are people who get a bit nervous with screaming children and stuff. I don't mind it at all especially since I work with kids so I am used to the screaming and running around and I have trained myself to concentrate despite the noise. However, there are people who are not accustomed to such disturbance and such noise could be quite a nuisance to them. Besides, there are priests who don't like children especially those who could be a bit old.

So I really do encourage you to make such a suggestion as a Child Liturgy Mass in your Parish. What happens is this: The parents go inside the church as usual and attend Mass there and the children meet in a hall - which is close to the church. The kids admitted are 5 years - 10 year olds. Ideally they would be separated according to their age groups. Then Mass is started as a normal rite for these kids. The only difference is that the "homily" is adjusted in a simple way to make it clearer and more understandable for them. Then the kids enter the church building during the offertory and then they join their parents for the rest of the Mass. In that way, they would have understood the Gospel in a simple way and their parents would have celebrated half of the Mass in silence. Usually these kids (even the naughty ones) remain quite and still for the rest of the Mass especially during consecration.

[homeschoolmom]

Our children's liturgy works differently. We all start out together and then the children are blessed and dismissed after the Gloria. They return during the offeratory. We don't have it every week.

But it's the toddlers who are the nosiest...

[dandy777]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Nov 16 2005, 06:16 PM']Our children's liturgy works differently. We all start out together and then the children are blessed and dismissed after the Gloria. They return during the offeratory. We don't have it every week.

But it's the toddlers who are the nosiest...
[right][snapback]791359[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

Sounds nice! Can you explain further with regards to what happens during your mass?

[homeschoolmom]

You mean what do the children do? Pretty much the same thing-- readings, reflection...

[dandy777]

Yes that is what I meant. I asked so that there could be an exchange of ideas so things can improve. There is always room for improvement.

Do you get information or activities from any particular source?

[homeschoolmom]

I don't know. We don't lead it or anything. I'm not sure what the program is....

[dandy777]

oh I see. I thought you were in the organising team or something of the like!

[homeschoolmom]

I do have this [url="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0896226956/103-6522578-6033469?v=glance&n=283155&v=glance"]Complete Children's Liturgy Book[/url] which I use if one of my children is sick and has to miss mass or if I think the homily or readings went over their heads. Sometimes we do it Sat. afternoon in advance... sometimes Sun. afternoon afterwards...

[dandy777]

Thanks a lot. I will forward the suggestion.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Nov 6 2005, 03:25 PM']Maybe you could offer some suggestions of how to make it happen that they sit still without bothering others rather than just stating that your mother made it happen. How? (the author of the thread is looking for ideas) Saying that children were just expected to behave is not very specific.
[right][snapback]780343[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

My kids were always fed before church, so a full tummy sometimes helps. If they were babies I would sit and feed them, if they were older they had to do what everyone else did - sit , stand, put them hands together. They also knew if they misbehaved in church or they had to be taken outside during Mass they would be punished in some way. They were never allowed out of their seats until we went up for Communion - it would have been scandalous to let children run in church. If they behaved in church they could play when they got home.