Totally embarassed at Mass on Sunday

[rwillenborg]

There is a family in our Boy Scout group that adopted a child, and then had another child almost immediately. So they currently have two 3-year olds. The parish that we sometimes attend as a scout troop has one of these types of baptismal fonts. We attended Mass there before our troop left for summer camp.

During the prayers of the faithful, you could tell that Father was looking intently - and not too happily- at something going on in the gathering area. When it was his “turn” we heard, “For the child taking a bath in the baptismal font…that he not go under…we pray to the Lord.”

One of the 3-year olds had escaped…

My girls are only two.
I feel like you just gave me a glimpse into the future. And I’m very, very afraid!!!
I probably stare too hard at other parents when I am out without my kids (when I’m out with them, obviously, my eyes are already pretty occupied)
They probably think I’m judging them.
I’m not.
I’m studying.

 

[Gertabelle]

Exactly what our priest says at every Mass when children go “children” on you!! We now have a family Mass on Sundays, it is wonderful to see all those young parents with their children.

Our parish priest told us during his homily one Sunday to bring your children to Mass the first Sunday after their birth

He encouraged those without children or with grown children to show compassion and love for families with small children making noise during Mass. “And if someone is truly scandalized by your small child’s behavior during mass, pick up your little one and hand him/her to the scandalized person to fix for you.”

We have one family in our parish with six or seven children (biological and adopted) all kindergarten age or less. When the children bring up their offerings to the basket on the altar, fifty children go traipsing past the piano while I’m playing the offertory hymn. One Sunday one of this family’s smaller children stopped at the piano, looked at me, looked at my hands, and then began playing along with a few bass notes of his own. I kindly whispered, “No, no, dear,” but inside I was delighted and still can’t wait for the next naughty child to express the joy of making music at Mass

OTOH, when my own son used to play with the piano pedals, or climb in between my legs while I was playing, or play along on the high notes, I did not find it so amusing. Nor did he as soon as my hands and tongue were free to deal with his behavior

Gertie

 

[EvelynEVF]

Last week a dear friend of mine was with his son in the pew ahead of me. The preschooler made it through the opening hymn, but as soon as Father said, “Let us pray,” the little guy sprawled out on the pew and bellowed. It’s so hard at that age, because once they realize that certain actions will get them taken out, it’s a lot more work to help them want to be there.

One of our parishioners is an autistic young man who often sings with the choir. A few weeks ago he came in late at the Kyrie, and walked up to the choir area at the front side, oblivious to anyone else, which is fine, because we’re used to it. But this time, he leaned toward the center aisle and waved hello to the priest! It was priceless And the priest very graciously grinned back at him.

My kids have, in the last year or so, both gotten to the age where they understand how to behave and can do it. I find that it is much easier for me to get distracted by other things at Mass now. I used to have to work so hard to focus, and I guess that was good for me.

 

[Biblioassistant]

Years ago when my son was little, we were at Mass when Father broke the Host, then carefully broke off a fragment to go into the Chalice. He then fitted the two halves back together, held the Host up and said, “This is the Lamb of God…” and my son said (loudly), “Look - it’s Pac-Man”!

Father shook with supressed laughter, and I did too.

 

[mkingdomlvr]

I don’t have kids of my own, but I do have a cute toddler story.

I was holding a friend’s 4 year old during the Christmas Eve children’s mass and when the Priest and Ministers on the altar began to receive the Host, she asked at full voice: “ARE THEY EATING JESUS NOW?” Oh man, it was so funny. I thought our Pastor was going to turn purple he was trying so hard not to laugh.

Theologically she was spot on, and Father commended her mother for her excellent religious education after the service.

Having said that-there is a HUGE difference from the occasional mad dash up the aisle, or a slightly embarrassing outburst and a screaming tantrum, or the Mass where a charming child spent the entire hour at full voice calling “mommy, mommy,mommy,mommy,mommy,mommy…”

I get tired of people expecting everyone to tolerate the tantrums and the extensive disruptions or be accused of “hating children”.

99% of the time, children at Mass are a blessing-all anyone else asks is that in those 1% of situations parents be a little considerate of other folks at Mass.

 

[Joe_5859]

Years ago when my son was little, we were at Mass when Father broke the Host, then carefully broke off a fragment to go into the Chalice. He then fitted the two halves back together, held the Host up and said, “This is the Lamb of God…” and my son said (loudly), “Look - it’s Pac-Man”!

Father shook with supressed laughter, and I did too.

That’s hilarious!

I don’t have kids of my own, but I do have a cute toddler story.

I was holding a friend’s 4 year old during the Christmas Eve children’s mass and when the Priest and Ministers on the altar began to receive the Host, she asked at full voice: “ARE THEY EATING JESUS NOW?” Oh man, it was so funny. I thought our Pastor was going to turn purple he was trying so hard not to laugh.

Theologically she was spot on, and Father commended her mother for her excellent religious education after the service.

Having said that-there is a HUGE difference from the occasional mad dash up the aisle, or a slightly embarrassing outburst and a screaming tantrum, or the Mass where a charming child spent the entire hour at full voice calling “mommy, mommy,mommy,mommy,mommy,mommy…”

I get tired of people expecting everyone to tolerate the tantrums and the extensive disruptions or be accused of “hating children”.

99% of the time, children at Mass are a blessing-all anyone else asks is that in those 1% of situations parents be a little considerate of other folks at Mass.

Cute story! Yes, cute shenanigans are one thing. Extended tantrums are another. Sometimes you just have to pick them up and take them out. Know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.

 

[Apryl]

Our biggest probems were that the gym water fountains were visible during mass, and I couldn’t convince the 3 year old and her older sister that this was not the time to play in them. Also, they were using the bleachers for seating. We made the mistake of sitting there once when we arrived a little late. BIG mistake. She thought it such fun to stomp up and down the bleachers. It sounded like thunder. When I stopped her there was a tantrum. We ended up sitting outside on a bench while my husband and the other kids went to Mass.

I know this is a ‘fun’ thread, but this brings up what I think is an important point.

Kids MAKE NOISE! That’s what they do. Kids who are quiet and ‘perfect’ scare me. Make me wonder if there is something wrong.

Kids who get to two and never say ‘No’ to Mommy and Daddy make me want to shake them!

But that’s because they are kids, doing what kids do

I THANK you for being a PARENT and HELPING them to understand that there is a time and a place for everything. While it was a funny moment (in retrospect, I’m sure), it was what PARENTS DO!

Just be glad that your babies are ABLE to move around, and you are able to chase after them! Be glad that you were at church, during Mass, when this all happened. And I thank you for reacting to this so that when they are 12 and 15, they are not out of line in church, or any other setting when you need them to settle down.

And thank you for being there for them, and being a parent to them, and reacting to them.

Did I tell you ‘Thanks’? As one of those rambuctious, inquisitive, hyper, unfocused kids , I can say that they will likely thank you when they are older. They will laff, and thank you for being there for them, and for giving them the wonderful memories of you being a parent to your kids.

(Some people pay big money to burn off the calories you’re killing with your kids)

And thank you for being there!

 

[Apryl]

IHaving said that-there is a HUGE difference from the occasional mad dash up the aisle, or a slightly embarrassing outburst and a screaming tantrum, or the Mass where a charming child spent the entire hour at full voice calling “mommy, mommy,mommy,mommy,mommy,mommy…”

I get tired of people expecting everyone to tolerate the tantrums and the extensive disruptions or be accused of “hating children”.

OH, you mean like the little one who beats something, I think a shoe or a hammer, or something else hard, on the nice hard wooden pews from the Offertory to the end of Mass, EVERY Sunday?

And, Lord, why don’t the USHERS address this? Because I say something, I’m seen as a mean old child hater… but c’mon… EVERY week? And I can’t see who it is since they sit the other side of the cross aisle and the child is behind several other people.

I really am NOT happy with the Ushers at my church. Some of the nicest people you could meet, and really likeable people, but what is the point of Ushers if they don’t do anything other than pass the basket?

… oops, sorry… went off on a tirade

 

[Joe_5859]

OH, you mean like the little one who beats something, I think a shoe or a hammer, or something else hard, on the nice hard wooden pews from the Offertory to the end of Mass, EVERY Sunday?

And, Lord, why don’t the USHERS address this? Because I say something, I’m seen as a mean old child hater… but c’mon… EVERY week? And I can’t see who it is since they sit the other side of the cross aisle and the child is behind several other people.

I really am NOT happy with the Ushers at my church. Some of the nicest people you could meet, and really likeable people, but what is the point of Ushers if they don’t do anything other than pass the basket?

… oops, sorry… went off on a tirade

I think parents would be (rightly) upset if the ushers started “reprimanding” their children right in front of them. That is not the duty of an usher. Ushers are not liturgical bouncers.