Babies At Mass

[H_Opey]

Our two year old, who goes to daily mass with us on occassion, was bothering the young lady in front of us at mass the other Sunday.
What was he doing? He was walking on the kneelers and occasionally his hand would brush her back because he was holding on to the pew in front of us.
How did we know he bothered her? She turned around and told us that was really annonying could we stop him. I mean, he interrupted the conversation she was having with her grandma. She looked to be in her late 20’s.
What did we do? Mind you, he is not making a sound.
We did not make him sit in the seat b/c,
he had been in a car seat for almost an hour because when we went to our parish, we found out there was no mass so we had to go to the nearest parish, 35 extra minutes away.
With no annomosity, we moved to another part of the church. A place where he could get up without “bothering” someone. And you want to know something. The young lady gave us dirty looks. I don’t get it. I really don’t.

In past years I would have left there all huffed up, but that Sunday, I felt sad for the lady. And prayed for her. We didn’t mean to bother her.

 

[tadly]

In past years I would have left there all huffed up, but that Sunday, I felt sad for the lady. And prayed for her. We didn’t mean to bother her.

The evil one lost a fight that day!
Seems to me that you took the high road. One never knows where angels are and you may have had one on your sholuder.

It was sad that the woman was grumpy. Maybe you were moved nearer to someone who needed to see a happy child that day. One never knows. God works in mysterious ways.

 

[Amateur_Soul]

Oh no…it’s a “Mass No-No’s” thread all over again…

 

[thechrismyster]

after reading these posts, and with the subtle yet distinct influence the spirited libations that are flowing through my veins provide me at the moment, i must make the observation that absolutely, exactly 2… TWO posts in this entire thread deal with children. The rest deal not with those strapping little sprites who cry at mass, but the scandalous reaction some of those, who shall remain nameless for the sake of mannerly decorum, hold in light and in spite of their pronounced pathos.

The real villians of the story we discuss are the adults who have ruefully checked their humanity at the door and can’t focus on the Mass, san perfect silence,
these folks are like rudderless ships at sea blowing with every visceral wind that hits their sails. unable to focus on the metophorical shore in front of them because of the waves around them.
Those adults whom can have a family of 8 jumping around, like kids do, in front of them during the Holy Mass and continue to smile and thank God for the gift of the Catholic families in the world, well, they are the luxury yachts of the Catholic sea. Beatiful, and to be admired and appreciated, but far too much for the common mind or spirit to handle in both size and complexity. for most, the sailboat is all that can be handled. and understandably so… we judge them not for their shortcomings, simply praise them for their zeal.

so for those that complain about children being loud. i pity your sapless constitutions.
for those that have large families, please, next Sunday, choose the pew in front of me and i’ll make funny faces from time to time to amuse your little ones should they look back toward me. as Christ would do.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

the chrismyster…

You make no sense whatsoever…just thought you would like to know.

:heart:Blyss

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

They do not just smile. They literally play with them and it happens to many people at every Mass. Many people actually love kids and get a kick out of them and those people can be a distraction when they giggle. laugh and talk to my kids. Sheeesh, I am not a liar, nor do I ten to exageration regarding episodes that happen in real life.

Tom…I have never seen what you have experienced but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. See? You questioned my comments about cereal throwing children and made me feel like I wasn’t being straight and forth coming and then you call me on the same thing. Hmmm…

When a little child smiles at me I am happy to return the favor. I cannot imagine anyone who would wnat to disrput a child while at Mass…I am sure they mean no harm.

:heart:Blyss

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

They do not just smile. They literally play with them and it happens to many people at every Mass. Many people actually love kids and get a kick out of them and those people can be a distraction when they giggle. laugh and talk to my kids. Sheeesh, I am not a liar, nor do I ten to exageration regarding episodes that happen in real life.

 

[WenckebachCath]

after reading these posts, and with the subtle yet distinct influence the spirited libations that are flowing through my veins provide me at the moment, i must make the observation that absolutely, exactly 2… TWO posts in this entire thread deal with children. The rest deal not with those strapping little sprites who cry at mass, but the scandalous reaction some of those, who shall remain nameless for the sake of mannerly decorum, hold in light and in spite of their pronounced pathos.

The real villians of the story we discuss are the adults who have ruefully checked their humanity at the door and can’t focus on the Mass, san perfect silence,
these folks are like rudderless ships at sea blowing with every visceral wind that hits their sails. unable to focus on the metophorical shore in front of them because of the waves around them.
Those adults whom can have a family of 8 jumping around, like kids do, in front of them during the Holy Mass and continue to smile and thank God for the gift of the Catholic families in the world, well, they are the luxury yachts of the Catholic sea. Beatiful, and to be admired and appreciated, but far too much for the common mind or spirit to handle in both size and complexity. for most, the sailboat is all that can be handled. and understandably so… we judge them not for their shortcomings, simply praise them for their zeal.

so for those that complain about children being loud. i pity your sapless constitutions.
for those that have large families, please, next Sunday, choose the pew in front of me and i’ll make funny faces from time to time to amuse your little ones should they look back toward me. as Christ would do.

How beautiful and poetic. You really have writing talent. You make your point masterfully.

 

[jamannor]

so for those that complain about children being loud. i pity your sapless constitutions. for those that have large families, please, next Sunday, choose the pew in front of me and i’ll make funny faces from time to time to amuse your little ones should they look back toward me. as Christ would do.

Amen, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who feels like this. And I love parishes with families, and children. It gives it life, and energy. I love it when children turn around and look and my fiance and I, because I look at them and smile my finace always looks and smiles at me. We understand that children are a blessing to be cherished and nurtured. God willing, we will have several ourselves. I know personally I’d take a crying baby over a dull old lifeless parish. By the way don’t sit next to me if you don’t want me to smile and possibly make a face back.

 

[netmilsmom]

the chrismyster…

You make no sense whatsoever…just thought you would like to know.

But the myster “feels” it!

1. people don’t like parents who don’t watch their kids, BUT it’s not them. They felt embarrassed by someone giving them a “look” so now they defend to a fault.
2. People are overly sensitive to the disrespect in any place (movie theater, grocery store, etc) that when a thread like this comes up, they vent.
3. It’s never you.
4. If someone offends your psyche, you are a victim.

(you’re not the boss of me)

Perhaps the same people who complain about bad parenting and disrespect of fellowman just have a few years to wait. Somethings just come around.

 

[Tom317]

I would venture to say that none of these posters including the EDIT poster at the beginning, have never complained to a parent at Mass either none have said it so it must be assumed.
So why make assumptions that are judgemental toward them, such as the poster above who has run into messes by children?
It’s also unkind.

Everyone should look at the peace of the community, whether it inconveniences us or not. It’s great that you smile! That shows them that you are in control of the greater good.

The posters here deserve the same.

It also might do you personally some good to realize that everyone here are good Catholics who love Christ and want peace every bit as much as you. Keep that in mind while you read our posts debating how to handle these situations…it might bring YOU more peace to realize we are all part of the body of Christ.

 

[Tom317]

But the myster “feels” it!

1. people don’t like parents who don’t watch their kids, BUT it’s not them. They felt embarrassed by someone giving them a “look” so now they defend to a fault.
2. People are overly sensitive to the disrespect in any place (movie theater, grocery store, etc) that when a thread like this comes up, they vent.
3. It’s never you.
4. If someone offends your psyche, you are a victim.

(you’re not the boss of me)

Perhaps the same people who complain about bad parenting and disrespect of fellowman just have a few years to wait. Somethings just come around.

Me thinks it might do you some good to actually witness some of the looks, attitudes and whispering talking people do to parents that might have a kid misbehave. Sure, I admit to feeling like a slug when I get those because in actual fact I do love everyone around me and I do NOT want my kids to disrupt their focus on the Mass…yet I also don’t think I and many others should be made to feel like horrible parents just because our kids are human. And, lest you wander into wrongful statements, we most definitely keep a very close wacth on our kids and we always remove them if they get noisy and unruly, yet even as we remove them we get 10-20 people giving us looks to kill and that is VERY hurtful.

Yet, you are such a perfect parent and such a perfect Catholic and such a perfect hum and such perfectly in control of your emotions at every second, that none of those attitudes would ever be given to you, and if they were your perfection would never be impacted by them…right?

Sheeeesh, I loive the Catholic faith, yet sometimes Catholics can be so cold, no wonder people flock to mega-Churches.

 

[Tom317]

Tom…I have never seen what you have experienced but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. See? You questioned my comments about cereal throwing children and made me feel like I wasn’t being straight and forth coming and then you call me on the same thing. Hmmm…

When a little child smiles at me I am happy to return the favor. I cannot imagine anyone who would wnat to disrput a child while at Mass…I am sure they mean no harm.

:heart:Blyss

I never questioned your truthfulness, never. I believed you before and I believe you now. Yet, I have never seen what you are reporting, yet as you can see at least two people on this thread have reported what I have seen. Throwing anything in Church is horrible, can we at least agree to the fact that we will all think that is wrong?

My point is there are a ton of adults who do all sorts of things that could be seen as bad, talking through the Mass at loud levels, playing with the kids around them, women and teens dressed for Las Vegas street walking jobs, chewing gum, falling asleep, etc…and yet those people are not brought up as a problem, rather the few kids at Mass are attacked for being noisy! I say that attack is anti-kid, you do not agree, fine we disagree, no big deal really.

And all of the complains being tossed at parents on this thread are based on absolutely imperfect information, no-one here knows those people personally and they do not know their personal circumstances, yet they sure are mighty quick to condemn, condemn, condemn on incomcplete info.

 

[netmilsmom]

Me thinks it might do you some good to actually witness some of the looks, attitudes and whispering talking people do to parents that might have a kid misbehave. Sure, I admit to feeling like a slug when I get those because in actual fact I do love everyone around me and I do NOT want my kids to disrupt their focus on the Mass…yet I also don’t think I and many others should be made to feel like horrible parents just because our kids are human. And, lest you wander into wrongful statements, we most definitely keep a very close wacth on our kids and we always remove them if they get noisy and unruly, yet even as we remove them we get 10-20 people giving us looks to kill and that is VERY hurtful.

Yet, you are such a perfect parent and such a perfect Catholic and such a perfect hum and such perfectly in control of your emotions at every second, that none of those attitudes would ever be given to you, and if they were your perfection would never be impacted by them…right?

Sheeeesh, I loive the Catholic faith, yet sometimes Catholics can be so cold, no wonder people flock to mega-Churches.

Tom, you and I are actually on the same page. You should not feel like a slug when your kids are kids. Like it or not, in some circumstances, with some people, the color your wearing today will bother them. Because of a bad day or a bad life.

You are a perfect parent too. You put in an effort. I just have to state that any parent to continually ignores, needs help. Those who continually try, should ignore the others. Why does a parent care anyway? It’s between them and God.

You can come back with sarcasm or insult. It really doesn’t matter in the long run. I have great kids in a wonderful parish, as I’m sure you do.

In the long run these are just words on a computer screen. They change nothing.

Blessings on you and your family. Truly.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

Thank you Tom…yes we can agree that throwing anything at church is horrible and maybe my views are tainted by what I see with this one particular family. Oh, how I dread them sitting in front of me art Mass…

I started a thread right after I joined the forum about “Behavior at Mass” where it states alot of the things that you mnetioned above. There were alot of responses on in too, so I think behavior at Mass all the way around is abyssmal and it isn’t just the children…it is the adults too. Many people seem to have lost respect for the Mass and what it stands for. You can see that in people’s behaviors…the way many are letting their children behave and the dress of many churchgoers.

I am not attacking kids…I would never do that…their behavior is a reflection on their parents…not on a child. They learn by what they are taught.

:heart:Blyss

 

[Tom317]

Thank you Tom…yes we can agree that throwing anything at church is horrible and maybe my views are tainted by what I see with this one particular family. Oh, how I dread them sitting in front of me art Mass…

I started a thread right after I joined the forum about “Behavior at Mass” where it states alot of the things that you mnetioned above. There were alot of responses on in too, so I think behavior at Mass all the way around is abyssmal and it isn’t just the children…it is the adults too. Many people seem to have lost respect for the Mass and what it stands for. You can see that in people’s behaviors…the way many are letting their children behave and the dress of many churchgoers.

I am not attacking kids…I would never do that…their behavior is a reflection on their parents…not on a child. They learn by what they are taught.

:heart:Blyss

I agree and seriously if I offended you I am sorry. I just don’t think we advance the kingdom by attacking people at Mass…in this very messed up world it is a vitory for Christ that they are even there.

 

[Tom317]

Tom, you and I are actually on the same page. You should not feel like a slug when your kids are kids. Like it or not, in some circumstances, with some people, the color your wearing today will bother them. Because of a bad day or a bad life.

You are a perfect parent too. You put in an effort. I just have to state that any parent to continually ignores, needs help. Those who continually try, should ignore the others. Why does a parent care anyway? It’s between them and God.

You can come back with sarcasm or insult. It really doesn’t matter in the long run. I have great kids in a wonderful parish, as I’m sure you do.

In the long run these are just words on a computer screen. They change nothing.

Blessings on you and your family. Truly.

My point throughout this thread has been that we need to have more love and compassion for those parents, especially when they fail.

God Bless, thanks for the chat.

 

[netmilsmom]

God Bless, thanks for the chat.

The same to you! And a Merry Christmas.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

I agree and seriously if I offended you I am sorry. I just don’t think we advance the kingdom by attacking people at Mass…in this very messed up world it is a vitory for Christ that they are even there.

You did not offend me at all Tom. Not at all. I wish you well and join with netmil(name removed by moderator) in wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and God Bless you and your family.

:heart:Blyss

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

I agree and seriously if I offended you I am sorry. I just don’t think we advance the kingdom by attacking people at Mass…in this very messed up world it is a vitory for Christ that they are even there.

You didn’t offend me Tom…not at all. I would like to join netmil(name removed by moderator) and wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and God Bless you and your family.

:heart:Bkyss