tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post405384103454363057..comments2024-01-16T04:04:41.045-05:00Comments on Someday I'll Sleep Autism Blogs: Bringing Little Ones to Mass... A Useless Venture?Cammie Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07137080807945525006noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-46346818210412761532012-10-11T14:10:02.471-04:002012-10-11T14:10:02.471-04:00I have to admit, this issue touches a nerve for me...I have to admit, this issue touches a nerve for me. Not because I have ever gotten remarks for the behavior or noise level of my children at Mass, but I hear of so many others who have and it aggravates.<br /><br />The bottom line is children, as baptized members of the Catholic Church (not simply just the parish) they have just as much right to attend, experience, and participate (as much as their age allows) in the Mass as ANY OTHER baptized member of the Catholic Church. Exclamation Mark! Full Stop! There is no: "but", "if", "how", "what if". None of it. <br /><br />If a child is being extra loud and unruly in Mass they should be removed, NOT because they are being a distraction (being a distraction is irrelevant to the authenticity and validity of the Sacrament - nor is necessary for anyone in the congregation to being paying attention for the bread and wine to be changed into the body and blood of Christ - Yes, the Priest may or could be distracted by the behavior/noise, but no more so then if someone in the second pew from the first suddenly had a heart-attack and rescue personnel had to come and attend to them - and yes I've seen this happen a number of times)<br />They are to be removed because at that point they are no longer able to be consoled (or disciplined) in their current environment (pew, side of nave, back of nave, wherever) and in order to console or discipline the child for behavior a change of environment is necessary. <br /><br />If my child stumbles while cruising in the pew and bumps his head he's going to let out a cry. I would be more distracting trying to get up out of the pew and walk out of the Church "to console" him, knowing full well he'll be "consoled" in about a minute, then it will be to let him cry out a couple of times while gently rubbing his head and whispering soothing words in his ear. I don't remove him because he's not distracting, I don't remove him because I CAN console him from his current environment and he will calm down faster without a big "ta da!" about it.<br /><br />Sorry, Cam, to be long winded :). This is one of those subjects that some people seem to express a negative opinion on, and it is my understanding there is no opinion, there is just a fact - all baptized members of the Catholic Church have every right to be at Mass, whether they're 1 week old or 101 years old and every age and developmental ability in between.Bethanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00726068736912870899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-39447192847125816512012-10-11T11:59:34.242-04:002012-10-11T11:59:34.242-04:00I have to say I'm scared to bring my 10 month ...I have to say I'm scared to bring my 10 month old to Mass or any type of church service even Protestant.<br /><br />My father is Catholic, but for various reasons my siblings & I weren't raised apart of the church and so as everyone feels the need to point out to me " I'm not a REAL Catholic." my husband and I always attended a protestant church, but something was missing for me. Finally, I guess almost two years ago now, after many conversations with my husband I got him to understand my desire to go to Mass & look into properly converting. The best part was that my father started going to Mass with me ( I could never get hubby to come along). The local church usually starts RCI classes in the fall so I was very excited to get started in those & finally be "a real Catholic."<br /><br />But that spring before classes came around I found out I was pregnant(only with getting my husband to understand my want to join the church I also was blessed to have him agree with me about NFP) and what followed was 7 months of being in bed sick or throwing up and then a rough labor and some after labor complications once my son was born. Finally that next spring I took my son to his first Mass (Easter!) & attended my first Mass in pretty much a year. <br /><br />He's ten months old now & we haven't been back. There has been many times I've wanted to, but I got pregnant again (and have been sick for the past six months again) and being a first time mom I'm trying to get the hang of things and don't have to time for RCI classes. that may sound silly, like if I wanted it bad enough I'd make time, but seriously, maybe every other mom is just better at this whole thing than I am. lord, knows I feel like that most days. <br /><br />Idk. I hate that we can't have our son baptized in the church and now we have a daughter on the way and I feel like they have to suffer just because mommy ended up having them too soon (a ridiculous line of thought I know). We've even talked about looking into an Episcopalian ceremony because that's what my husband's family is or something else with just family because I feel sadness whenever I think about how we haven't done anything yet. But having them be in the Catholic Church is the only thing the feels "right", but also feels so unattainable. <br /><br />So all of this has lead me to feel scared about going to Mass & certainly about bring my son with me if I did. I feel like everyone stares when I don't go take communion, but I can't bring myself to take it any way (like many people have told me too)when I know I'm not part of the church.<br /><br />So sorry to have dumped my heart in a comment my first time commenting on your blog. I've been a silent reader since I first started looking into Catholicism and found your blog in a google search.Lynn Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04170193179198699078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-62468164606893138152012-10-11T09:49:30.623-04:002012-10-11T09:49:30.623-04:00I will add that at my last parish; the pastor was ...I will add that at my last parish; the pastor was in the process of dismantling the cry room. The reasons he gave were that kids are part of the Mass; also he didn't go into detail but it was a real zoo in there; not to mention all the bits of cheerios etc all over the floor. Kids don't learn to be quiet surrounded by other noisy kids but by being in the the mainstream group.Patiencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567149340809225297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-75513600978777652822012-10-10T19:27:27.444-04:002012-10-10T19:27:27.444-04:00We have not been blessed with children yet, but ou...We have not been blessed with children yet, but our wonderful priest welcomes families with open arms.<br /><br />There was one Mass a few weeks ago when there were a lot of crying babies and in our church, the noise is amplified. <br /><br />At the end of the Mass, Father made a point to say that hearing a crying baby in a church is a beautiful thing because quite simply, it means that children actually ARE at Mass. He went on to thank all the parents with children there as understands how difficult it is for any parents to get the children ready and to Mass by 10.30 but to be assured that what they are doing is something amazing and doing a great job and always know that the doors are open for them all. It was beautiful and it is great because we are getting families coming back week after week. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-61920920533474511982012-10-10T16:38:46.085-04:002012-10-10T16:38:46.085-04:00I totally agree with you! In fact, I feel werid w...I totally agree with you! In fact, I feel werid when I do go to Mass without my kids (even though it is so much easier!). We have 3 rambunctious boys from 15 months to 4 years old. Now that my 15 month old is in the noisey stage, we have to go to the cry room (if it weren't for him though, my older two would usually be OK in the main church). Some Masses they surprise me with out patient and well behaved they are, other Masses are... can I say hellish? Last weekend was one of those hellish ones. And of course while I was there struggling to get through the Mass with only 3 little ones, there was a woman in the back of the cry room with SEVEN children (the younger 2 looked to be a newborn and about 15 months). And she was the only adult with them. Her kids were SO good. She was totally conposed the entire Mass and her children were angels (of course, her 15 month old was nice enough to fall asleep before the homily so she really dodged the bullet there). <br /><br />Anyways... that reminds me of a time I took my 3 little guys to Mass by myself a few months ago. When I went up for Communion, the Eucharistic minister blessed my boys and when she got to me she said with emphasis, "and God bless YOU." hehe I needed it! Catiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02704044699577638121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-82198873136918471752012-10-10T14:20:36.300-04:002012-10-10T14:20:36.300-04:00Sometimes we take the littles, and sometimes my hu...Sometimes we take the littles, and sometimes my husband and I attend different Masses so that one of us can be home with the kids. With four little ones, it seems like someone always has a cold and can't attend anyway! And sometimes I just need that hour of peace and prayer to myself for my own sanity. Going to Mass on my own and not having to get four little kids fed, dressed and cleaned up and out the door is a little slice of Heaven!<br /><br />As kids, we NEVER attended Mass until we were about 8 or 9. My parents raised 5 kids (four boys, that probably informed their decision!) who are all still practicing Catholics as adults.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-29887221435495912452012-10-10T12:29:41.783-04:002012-10-10T12:29:41.783-04:00Not bringing your children to Mass has never been ...Not bringing your children to Mass has never been a question for our family. First off, our parish families have always been small, so there's no child care option or child homilies or anything unless it's labeled a 'Children's Mass'. Has it been a struggle, Lordy Yes! Admittedly, the first two were quiet angels. The third and fourth, well, they've been a challenge. But it's mostly the older parishioners who WANT us to keep them in the pew. Even they understand the importance of keeping the little ones in the Mass as much as possible.Mrs. McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10280287502905501931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-30487398738308340792012-10-10T11:00:26.641-04:002012-10-10T11:00:26.641-04:00We have 5 little ones (oldest is 9) and we have al...We have 5 little ones (oldest is 9) and we have always attended Mass as a family. It's hard at times with toddlers, but they learn very fast how important Mass is and how they are expected to behave. I agree 100%!!!Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11451797365712728579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-57246773119146686982012-10-10T10:54:05.478-04:002012-10-10T10:54:05.478-04:00How timely this post is considering last weeks rea...How timely this post is considering last weeks reading was the "let the little children come to me" one. Part of our priest's homily was that children and infants are always welcome. His talk started with the fact that he was the oldest of seven and that was good prep for being a priest as he got used to the constnt noise around him in all aspects of life! LOL <br />He said that parents need to do their best to keep them quiet but if they get out of control; this is why there are speakers in the vestibule so parents can walk them and not miss the Mass. And people without children were reminded to be tolerant of them. <br />I was also very timely at our parish as one mom was having a very hard time with her 3 year old and felt grateful to be made welcome anyway.Patiencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567149340809225297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-85421577498293547192012-10-10T10:53:48.658-04:002012-10-10T10:53:48.658-04:00Nice post! I've been struggling...bringing ou...Nice post! I've been struggling...bringing our 5th child to Mass. I have already forgotten if the other kids were as busy as this little guy at Mass. One of us usually has to step out with him and I worry at what a distraction he is to all of us and the people around us.<br />I do think it's important though to establish that Mass is just what we do as a family...from a young age. <br />Thanks for sharing your post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04985386169429863305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-51787604376819794822012-10-10T10:52:47.162-04:002012-10-10T10:52:47.162-04:00Wonderful post!
I participated in that discussio...Wonderful post! <br /><br />I participated in that discussion, as we had just attended Mass at the Cathedral in Baton Rouge with my little wild-man grandson (who is given to letting loose with bloodcurdling shrieks so high-pitched they tickle your eardrums.) He was welcomed by the delightful Bishop and kind parishioners alike. (It goes without saying that my daughter whisks him outside immediately if he gets loud.)<br /><br />I think the person who objected totally to little ones at Mass and felt there was no benefit was a cranky old grump. Children are the future of the Church, and we should rejoice at each and every one.<br /><br />Mariedixieaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12923834034976250382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8188078120365131355.post-66534620398679998272012-10-10T10:40:33.329-04:002012-10-10T10:40:33.329-04:00Very timely, Cam! Matthew Archibold just posted an...Very timely, Cam! Matthew Archibold just posted an article on tips for taking kids to Mass... http://www.ncregister.com/blog/matthew-archbold/12-tips-for-catholic-families-at-mass<br /><br />I always love seeing children at Mass. Even when they're noisy or rambunctious, I am glad they're there. You're so right - they bring so much joy to so many people! The elderly in our parish just love seeing all the children at Mass. In light of this past weekend's Gospel reading, I can only imagine Jesus is delighted to see them there as well...Marthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714449213406057138noreply@blogger.com