Is this Mass OK?

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It would please the children if the Altar Servers dressed as Power Rangers and if Fr processed in riding a dinosaur. That does not make any of it licit.

Children have been attending Mass, worshiping God and following Him for many centuries. I fail to see how turning Mass into a costume play does any good for children.

Have Santa after Mass giving every child a pony if you want. Have a costume Nativity play in the hall or in the Church (remove the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose) before or after Mass. These things have no part in mass.

Mass has rules.
 
I remember when I was a kid there was a dozen rehearsals for that special day. So, it got us into the “the house of The Father” plenty, and I enjoyed being there a lot more than just once a week. [I actually regained the habit of going to church everyday given the chance, since I’m lucky enough at times to live 5 minutes away form the church.]
 
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TheLittleLady said:
That my friend is the horrible thing called the “Children’s Mass”. It has become a Christmas Eve staple throughout our country, and is cringeworthy.
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Hearing the innocent voices of children delighting in the miracle of Christmas is anything but cringeworthy. I’ll pray for you.
 
They were reading the Nativity story, not a sponge bob cartoon! It’s scripture! Children reading scripture is somehow wrong? At Easter we all participate in something similar during the reading of the Passion, is that also awful?
 
Ah, the wonderful sound of the curmudgeons of CAF.
Almost as sweet as children portraying the Nativity. Next thing you know people will be complaining that the children don’t know their faith. SHOCKING!
 
Is it against the rules? I remember we had skits during homilies for the children’s mass. We, the kids in catechism lessons, had to act them out (how to apply the gospel in a modern setting), every Sunday. After which, the priest will give a short homily for the parents.
 
The link someone else posted had this:

When the text of the readings lends itself to this, it may be helpful to have the children read it with parts distributed among them, as is provided for the reading of the Lord’s passion during Holy Week."

So that sounds like what happened, the actual scripture was read, possibly by a few children, while they acted out the parts. Not some “play” as much as a dramatized reading of scripture.

I can’t imagine Jesus up in Heaven being upset by such a thing. Can anyone imagine that? Jesus actually angry that children were reading and getting involved in his word in such a way?
 
I think the issue is the lack of a homily.
Since there was a homily in your scenarios, it would have been fine
 
Well, in our parish during the Reading fo the Passion (which happens twice, Palm Sunday and Good Friday) there is no homily. Father feels no more can be added.
 
Okay, now we are into Power Ranger dressed servers and Father coming in on a dinosaur; the only thing we have missed are clown Masses.
 
If I may provide a not-to-subtle hint: go to one of the other Christmas Masses if this offends you so much.

And if you can’t contain your angst, see if you can set up a luncheon appointment with the bishop or archbishop (so no one else filters out your complaint and he never sees it), buy him lunch and pour out your angst.
 
Does he express this after the readings? I think that may count as a homily.
“What more can I or anyone possibly add to this wonderful thing?” or something
 
I and others have talked to pastors and Bishop(s). When attempts are made to end these “Christmas pageants” during Mass, the blowback from the “we have ALWAYS done this and isn’t it cute” crowd is astounding. People will defy their Bishop so little Johnny can play the second lobster in the Nativity play.
 
Ah, so now the “people” in their blowback are defying the priests… I see.

Or not.

It always amazes me: although I know bishops mostly do not micro manage their priests, it seems that we are to believe the opposite; that bishops have no clue as to what the priests are doing (in particular, with the “Children’s Christmas Masses”).

My, don’t we have a bunch of naive bishops…

Or else, the bishops, if they do not specifically approve of the “children’s Christmas Masses”, allow them.
 
TheLittleLady said:
I and others have talked to pastors and Bishop(s).
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Just thought I’d remind you that you are not the only ones constituting “the flock”. Others also have their own reasons, who is right is up for debate - and can at times not be determined. You have, however, not shown clearly that others opinions on this specific matter are wrong or less right than your own. And I doubt, in this case, that such demonstration is even possible.

That said, I always enjoy your opinions on all matters @TheLittleLady even when they are contrary to my own. I find dialogue an exercise of mercy and charity worthy, even mandatory, in itself and to the liking of Our Lord.

It is perhaps not by chance, that you were the first person to speak with me on CA.

I will read through the article you provided in this thread, and if you deem my opinion worthy of your attention, I will elaborate a post.
 
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Once a child loses their enthusiasm for the faith it’s hard to get it back. I went to a parish which had the kids leading the worship about once a month, although they had a normal homily.
 
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