Children Not Knowing God

[Nightfly]

My wife would like to try a church called Elevation. The videos show a church that speaks to everyone and is not boring. I have done a poor job at home. What can I do at home that engages the kids. I was bored when I was there age as I was dragged to Mass. Any help is needed!

 

[Catholic1954]

Start with family prayer, EVERY NIGHT.

 

[pianistclare]

Parents are the first and primary educator of their children in religious ed.
The best thing you can do for your kids is to know your Catholic faith yourself. Begin reading the Catechism…NOW.
Also, I suppose your children are not enrolled in your parish catechetical program? Why not? There they would meet other children their age who love their faith.
Be wary of any church that feels like they have to entertain. When one understands what is going on at Mass is becomes fascinating…on it’s own. Without gimmicks or performances. Some parishes have family catechesis. Find something like this and sign everyone up. Perhaps make friends with another family with children of the same age. The children can share, and the adults can share as well.
Parents don’t drag their children, unless the kids have no idea why they are going in the first place. We go because we love God, we want to give thanks, and most of all because we want to receive Him in the Eucharist. No other church offers this. To deny your children the Eucharist (the most important tool for coping in this life, and the key to a relationship with Jesus) is the worst possible idea. You have an obligation to keep them in the faith, instruct them in the faith and take them to Mass.
The church in her wisdom, has designed all kinds of kid’s educational programs to help parents. It’s what we religious educators do, and we love it.
Get them enrolled…get engaged in your parish, and get a Catechism.
I’ll be praying for you.

 

[bisco]

how old are your children? is your wife catholic?

 

[katy]

Try checking this out:

catholicfamilycatalog.com/index.html

 

[Marie18]

Not sure how old your kids are, but I remember my mother would often read bible stories to me and my brother at night, even if they were kids versions, and I found it all very fascinating. Just be open to talking about God and his love, and teaching them about the bible and our religion. I’m a teenager, and I think one of the reasons why I’m very interested in religion when a lot of people my age aren’t is because my parents raised me with religion, but they also didn’t try to beat it into me, which could cause burnout. When I expressed doubts at one point, they tried to help me get through it instead of getting frustrated at me or telling me that I was wrong. I think family discussions, family prayer, church functions, and those kinds of things are very helpful- but remember, its totally normal for kids to just want to hangout and play instead of going to church, so if that ever happens just realize that its natural and when their a little older, they will begin to understand and appreciate it.

 

[sscott]

I think you should pick a ritual that the kids can perform fairly quickly just to get them interested. Do they know the sign of the cross? Also get them a small ornament for their room like a saint’s picture of the same name as your kids or maybe Saint Francis in honor of the Pope. Say good night prayers. It doesn’t have to be an official prayer. keep it short and when your kids are more interested add something new. Christmas is a prime time for teaching that Jesus is the reason for the season.

 

[Anglewannabe]

The best thing you can do for your kids is to know your Catholic faith yourself. .

I agree, setting a good example is key. If your kids do not see you practice the faith they will NEVER understand why you go in the first place. Little things such as when you find lost car keys, thank St-Anthony

And don’t be hard on yourself. You said so yourself as a kid you hated mass. That is normal and I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens in families that do everything right. Pray God gives your kids the gift of faith

 

[pianistclare]

I’ll add something to what I already said:

Children whose parents are really engaged in their church through volunteerism and other ministries, like lector, EMHC, ushers, etc. have a better chance of understanding that it’s important to YOU, so it should be important to them. They are not “bored”. They need to learn all the truths of the faith, but then they need to see you live it out…through some work of your own, like a weekday Mass once in a while, or going to Adoration, the Rosary group, etc.
Make no mistake…when you attend these other churches, they will corner you right away and want to sign you up for everything and anything, including finding out how much you can tithe. You can’t just go, be entertained, feel good about yourself and leave.
Consider what the Catholic Faith offers .

In short, start over. It can be done, you just need to make it a priority. If you child had an opportunity on an elite team, you’d rearrange your schedule to make it happen.
We all should do this for God. He blesses us, He gave us His very self in the Eucharist…as a dear priest friend said once, “People should be busting the doors down to get in here. Jesus is here! Where are the thousands?”
Something to think about.
I wish you all the best…Thank you for caring so much about the spirituality of your children. It is NEVER too late with God.
Peace.