Babies At Mass

[JMJDevotee]

Maybe those who are not so enthusiastic about kids being in Mass (at any age) should remember that when a child is baptized, they stood and made a promise to help develop the faith in that child. As Catholics, we all have a responsibility to practice our faith as an example to those around us, especially the children. I am blessed to have a woman, whom I was not too fond of as a teen (she was my math teacher in middle school ), that now teaches my kids at school and at church.

I hate to use that “It takes a village…” statement but in this case, we are the village, the community of believers. We need to act like it.

Pax Vobiscum

 

[carol_marie]

I was at a Mass, presiding was the Bishop. I believe it was during is homely, a baby began making some loud noises.

The Bishop stopped and clearly articulated something along the lines of … that the most beautiful sound you will hear in a church is the sound of a child.

I thought that was so nice. The parents were likely already embarrassed…and then to have that directed at them…excellent.

That is very sweet.

 

[kim3260]

Maybe those who are not so enthusiastic about kids being in Mass (at any age) should remember that when a child is baptized, they stood and made a promise to help develop the faith in that child. As Catholics, we all have a responsibility to practice our faith as an example to those around us, especially the children. I am blessed to have a woman, whom I was not too fond of as a teen (she was my math teacher in middle school ), that now teaches my kids at school and at church.

I hate to use that “It takes a village…” statement but in this case, we are the village, the community of believers. We need to act like it.

Pax Vobiscum

It takes a Parish

 

[netmilsmom]

Maybe those who are not so enthusiastic about kids being in Mass

Would you please point out the posters, short of the first who have stated that they are “Not so enthusiastic” about children at mass?

 

[kim3260]

Tolerance, the word is tolerance. What is wrong with you all? I remember very well bring 5 children under 8yrs to Mass and trying to keep most of them under control. PRAY for that young parent(s) and remember you may have/had perfect children and were perfect parents but not all of us are. Now if I see a young mom (or dad) having trouble I try to be as helpful as possible, maybe I might be missing a Prayer or two but I’m sure Our Lord forgives me as I help my fellow man.

 

[JMJDevotee]

Would you please point out the posters, short of the first who have stated that they are “Not so enthusiastic” about children at mass?

Why are you being so defensive?? angry?? I am not sure of the best word.

I never mentioned another post or poster. I just thought it would be helpful information.

Pax Vobiscum

 

[netmilsmom]

Why are you being so defensive?? angry?? I am not sure of the best word.

I never mentioned another post or poster. I just thought it would be helpful information.

Actually, I’m not being either.
You did however state this…

				Originally Posted by **JMJDevotee** 					[forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_cad/viewpost.gif](http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=1733752#post1733752) 				
			Maybe those who are not so enthusiastic about kids being in Mass (at any age) should remember.......

So understanding that your audience are the posters here, it would be evident that those are the people to whom you are speaking.
All I’m asking is for you to guide us to the people who feel this way.

 

[JMJDevotee]

Maybe it is just me, but I have noticed a few, let’s use the word disagreeable posts between others. Those being Karin, Karianne, Marauder (sp??)

And what I said was not said in an offensive way. That message can be and should be passed along to anyone who displays their displeasure of children in a mass. I have used it myself when others have complained about children misbehaving in mass. It does put things in perspective.

Pax Vobiscum

 

[netmilsmom]

Tolerance, the word is tolerance. What is wrong with you all? I remember very well bring 5 children under 8yrs to Mass and trying to keep most of them under control. PRAY for that young parent(s) and remember you may have/had perfect children and were perfect parents but not all of us are. Now if I see a young mom (or dad) having trouble I try to be as helpful as possible, maybe I might be missing a Prayer or two but I’m sure Our Lord forgives me as I help my fellow man.

Tolerance goes both ways.
If someone ticks at a parent who is having problems, forgive.

All anyone is asking is that everyone puts in an effort.
Because if we “tolerate” parents who ignore bad behavior (not cooing babies or toddlers who babble a bit but the kids who are throwing food or ripping hymals every week) it actually perpetuates the problem.
Resentment grows on the part of those who are afronted by it and by the parents who always put in an effort.

No one says, well my kids are perfect and yours should be, but if one reads this whole long thread, most of us are on the same page. It’s the effort put in by both sides that makes for a happy parish.

 

[netmilsmom]

Maybe it is just me, but I have noticed a few, let’s use the word disagreeable posts between others. And what I said was not said in an offensive way. That message can be and should be passed along to anyone who displays their displeasure of children in a mass. I have used it myself when others have complained about children misbehaving in mass. It does put things in perspective.

Pax Vobiscum

And I agree with you.
I see that the thread got way out of hand with a few posters.
Some stating that “I” have it tough with my kids so you should learn to ignore them.
Some who stated actual occurances and were dismissed with “that rarely happens”

When actually, most of us put in an effort.

This is where I stand. I love that our church is filled with little ones. Most of the parents are in tune to the needs of others. A few are in the main praying while their 3 and 4 year olds are running the grounds. It’s horrible.

At the same time, a friend of mine goes to Holy Mass with two special children, a preschooler and a new baby. When kids misbehave, with no effort from the parents to stop it, it sets their kids off. Who gets the looks and ticks? They do. Yes, I do resent it, but most people here are trying. Those who are not are enabled when we just ignore it.

 

[kim3260]

Tolerance goes both ways.
If someone ticks at a parent who is having problems, forgive.

All anyone is asking is that everyone puts in an effort.
Because if we “tolerate” parents who ignore bad behavior (not cooing babies or toddlers who babble a bit but the kids who are throwing food or ripping hymals every week) it actually perpetuates the problem.
Resentment grows on the part of those who are afronted by it and by the parents who always put in an effort.

No one says, well my kids are perfect and yours should be, but if one reads this whole long thread, most of us are on the same page. It’s the effort put in by both sides that makes for a happy parish.

I agree with you on this point, and forgive me I am not trying to sound like “me, my, I etc”, but honestly never seen behaviors of that sort in my Parish. If a child behaved in that way, he/she would be removed and a sound spanking given. (no one blinks an eye in my part of the Country, as long as it’s not abuse)
But yes, I have see this behavior in other places where children rule the roost and silly parents play the puppets. Very sad.

 

[netmilsmom]

I agree with you on this point, and forgive me I am not trying to sound like “me, my, I etc”, but honestly never seen behaviors of that sort in my Parish. If a child behaved in that way, he/she would be removed and a sound spanking given. (no one blinks an eye in my part of the Country, as long as it’s not abuse)
But yes, I have see this behavior in other places where children rule the roost and silly parents play the puppets. Very sad.

I wish everyone here could be as reasonable as you are. God Bless you and a Merry Christmas to you and yours! (we need an angel smilie)

 

[kim3260]

I wish everyone here could be as reasonable as you are. God Bless you and a Merry Christmas to you and yours! (we need an angel smilie)

And To you too Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Well my children are now grown, married and have kids of their own.

However, when they were babies, toddlers actually, my wife and myself did split shifts. I went to the early Mass, she went to the later Mass. We did it this way until my daughter was old enough to understand about being quite at Chuch, about 3 years of age.

Today what I see is parents who bring little one’s to Mass, who get little or nothing out of the Mass because their so busy trying to keep the child entertained. Then of course there are the parents who just let their kids run amuck.

Jim

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

You know I was at a monastary yesterday for Mass. At the Mass were 4 kids ages 2-4. They all behaved beautifully, but there was a lady who practically coughed through the entire Mass.

She was causing numerous people not to hear. Should we now set up cough rooms. I was at Mass at the National Shrine last week and there was a person with a resperator that’s alarm would occasionally go off making people think a cell phone was ringing, thus upsetting people. I guess we need to install a respirator room now. Then into Mass walked a person wearing scrubs and/or mechanics clothes. Several people were disrupted because they were shocked someone would not wear suit and tie to Mass, I guess we need to have working class rooms now. Then people walked in wearing jeans and polo shirts and the shirt and tie crowd got upset again, lets create an everyone but shirt and tie room. Then there were the people that were going tsk, tsk, tsk all the time over minor issues like toddlers making minor noises etc. Let’s create a tsk, tsk, tsk room.
.

I think you are being slightly ridiculous…which is usually the tactic when a person does not actually have anything to add to the discussion.

I go to daily Mass (school Mass) and today the priest mentioned about all the coughing going on by the kids and yes, even some adults too. He even mentioned his own sratchy throat and it all fiot in to today’s homily. It (the coughing) was the first I noticed it because usually coughing is something one cannot help. Yes, the same with respirators…BUT unruly, noisy children annoyances that something can be done about.

:heart:Blyss

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

Ok, so you expect a kid t the age of 5 to walk into a church, sit still, pay attention and behave perfectly when they don’t know what is going on, or why it is required of them? Get real Mass is the place for kids to be so they can learn the propriety of the Mass. How to sit and be still, when to pray, make the sign of cross, sign of peace, sing. It is how they learn their faith and the tradtions therein.

Well…that would be a good idea IF and I mean a BIG IF…the parents were actually trying to teach their children how to behave and not most of the time ignoring their behavior.

:heart:Blyss

 

[Karin]

Well…that would be a good idea IF and I mean a BIG IF…the parents were actually trying to teach their children how to behave and not most of the time ignoring their behavior.

:heart:Blyss

Hmm…are you stating all parents are like this?
I can assure you that my kids know how to behave at Mass…

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

This is where I stand. I love that our church is filled with little ones. Most of the parents are in tune to the needs of others. A few are in the main praying while their 3 and 4 year olds are running the grounds. It’s horrible.

At the same time, a friend of mine goes to Holy Mass with two special children, a preschooler and a new baby. When kids misbehave, with no effort from the parents to stop it, it sets their kids off. Who gets the looks and ticks? They do. Yes, I do resent it, but most people here are trying. Those who are not are enabled when we just ignore it.

I think that no one has a problem with children at Mass. I go to daily Mass and it is a joy to see the children file in and even down to preschoolers and kindergarteners. Their behavior is immaculate and I believe that some of these children are the same children who misbehave when they are with Mom and Dad. Says something to me…

:heart:lyss

 

[leonie]

Well my children are now grown, married and have kids of their own.

However, when they were babies, toddlers actually, my wife and myself did split shifts. I went to the early Mass, she went to the later Mass. We did it this way until my daughter was old enough to understand about being quite at Chuch, about 3 years of age.

Today what I see is parents who bring little one’s to Mass, who get little or nothing out of the Mass because their so busy trying to keep the child entertained. .

Jim

This is what we usually do.

Of course, sometimes it’s not possible to split shifts. Then, everyone just does the best they can.

 

[Mommyof02green]

Hmm…are you stating all parents are like this?
I can assure you that my kids know how to behave at Mass…

And so do mine…

The question is how do we get them to do it ALL the time?

My hubby has suggested we chain them to the pew… (In case you missed it: chaining the kids to the pew is a joke )