March 1, 2020 - "Our Children at Mass"

I want to continue listing some pointers on parish etiquette.  These reflections were first presented by Barbara Budde in a pamphlet (which is no longer in print) for the National Pastoral Life Center.  Today I want to make some suggestions about our children at Mass.
 
OUR CHILDREN AT MASS
Children are welcome at Mass!  Most children are likely to be baptized members of the parish.  We are committed to their ongoing faith development.  Children need to be part of worship to learn how to worship.  And we adults need them there to help us remember that we are all children before God.  It is only normal to expect young children to be distracting to parents and to others in the assembly sometimes.  Etiquette concerns how to keep distractions to a minimum and what to do when they occur.  If you find yourself especially sensitive to noise or distractions, consider attending the Mass with the fewest number of children.  But don’t deprive yourself too often.  Children are a special gift to each worshiping community.
 
Infants and Very Young Children
 
· Talk about prayer, the parts of the Mass, and what children will see and hear when they attend the liturgy before you leave home.  Explain that a church is a place where people speak quietly and move slowly and calmly.
· Communicate clearly to your children your hopes and expectations of their behavior.
· Remind your children of what is good and proper behavior just before entering the church.
· Bring a few small, quiet toys or coloring books with crayons for children to use during Mass.
· Attend special liturgies for children and families, when offered.
· Select a place in the assembly that will best facilitate everyone’s participation.  That may be at the front where the children’s interest can be stimulated.  There they can see the priest, the servers, the lector, the action.  Sitting up front and to the side is often a good solution for families with small children.  Your child and the layout of the church may help you decide which is the best place to sit.
· Set a good example by remaining as calm and prayerful as possible yourself.
· Quietly interpret for your child what is happening during the service.
· Encourage your child to learn and participate in the actions of the Mass:  making the sign of the Cross, sitting, standing, kneeling, listening, responding, and singing.
· Take your child out of the assembly if he or she becomes too loud or distracting to others.
· Compliment your child’s good behavior at the end of Mass.
· Help your child to get to know parish staff members, ministers, and other parishioners so that they themselves are known as participants in the prayer of the community.
· Leave electronic games at home or in the car.
· Clean up after your child and yourself when Mass is ended.
· Remember that children learn by observing you and others, whether you are intending to teach or not.
 
Until next week,
Fr. John