My friend says that “church is no place for children and that parents should just keep their kids at home until they are able to be quiet so they do not bother others who are trying to pray.” I don’t think that is the spirit here at CTR at all. What are your thoughts?
CTR is a very family friendly parish. Our weekend liturgies are truly a place for everyone, including the little ones and all their interesting noises, smells and gestures. . Here is a little piece I recently found that I think sums it up nicely….
To the Parents of our Young Children, may we suggest….Relax! God put the wiggle in your children; don’t feel you have to suppress it in God’s house. All are welcome! Sit toward the front where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear what’s going on at the altar. They tire of seeing the backs of others’ heads. Quietly explain the parts of the Mass and actions of the priest, altar servers, choir, etc. Sing the hymns, pray and voice the responses. Children learn liturgical behavior by copying you. If you have to leave Mass with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.” Remember that the way we welcome children in church directly affects the way they respond to the Church, to God, and to one another. Let them know that they are at home in this house of worship.
To the Wider members of our Parish, please welcome our children and give a smile of encouragement to their parents. The presence of children is a gift to the Church and they are a reminder that our parish is growing.
The Gathering Space and the Reconciliation Room certainly can serve as cry spaces or places to nurse when needed, but we hope you won't begin there or stay there throughout the whole Mass. We want the children to be with us when we pray, and among us in the main church is their rightful place as much as anyone else’s.
Coming to Mass every week (or as often as possible) getting dressed up, greeting friends, eating donuts after Mass, listening to live music with real instruments, and singing and praying together really help our children to consider this place 'home.' Our children’s presence is good for others too; especially some of our elderly members who perhaps don't get to see the energy and vitality of youth but once a week! Holding a child's hand at the ‘Our Father’ may be a very deep and real experience of the sacred for a fellow member. So, just because your kids are a little fussy or distracted, please don't deprive us of their terrific and important presence…or yours!
Of course, we are a reasonable and realistic community too, so we DO offer some options that aim to help parents get a little valuable, undisturbed prayer time. When your child can walk, we do offer a free nursery service. We also offer a terrific PreK/K program during Sunday Masses (drop-ins welcome!), and then at the beginning of Mass our 1st – 3rd graders are invited to leave the main church and head to the chapel for our “Children’s Liturgy of the Word,” which consists of an age appropriate proclamation of the readings and homily, and then return to their family for the Eucharistic prayer and communion.
Personally, I think the wider parish welcomes our children quite effectively already!! So, kudos to all of you who help make this a special, sacred place that our treasured little ones can truly call “home.”
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