145 Lowell Street
Manchester NH 03104
603-622-6404
Tips for Mass with Little Ones
Sit Where They Can See
Children can engage so much more if they see more than their fellow parishioners’ backs. You can quietly point out the important moments, such as the Consecration: “Look! There’s Jesus!”
Whisper Answers Back to your Child’s Questions
While being discreet, questions about the Mass should be answered. A child will not remember his questions after Mass, and as long as he is being respectful, receiving answers will encourage him to really think about what is happening. Encourage conversations about the Mass after Mass. Talk about the homily and readings, why the priest wore a special color, etc. Bring the sense of wonder and mystery of the Mass to your children at their level.
Only supply snacks and drinks if absolutely necessary
The Mass is not a time to be eating and drinking. When you allow your children to bring a water bottle to Mass or to have snacks, you are conveying that going to Mass is just like going to the store or the library. Try your best to make this one hour a week a time where we don’t normally have snacks and water bottles. Even our little ones can usually go for one hour with no snacks.
While snacks are distracting during Mass, enjoying a special meal or snack afterward can be an excellent reward, while giving children something to look forward to each weekend. Our coffee-and-doughnut time after Mass, is a great way to participate in parish life as well as rejoice at what occurred at Mass.
Promote Participation
Attend daily Mass if you are able. This practice provides children the “practice” they need to prepare them for the longer Sunday Masses. Having a “job” at Mass gives little ones a feeling of accomplishment and maturity. This responsibility can be as simple as putting the money in the offering box, finding the correct page in the missal, or lighting (with help, of course) a candle to pray for deceased family members or for their own intentions. Consider taking them on a “church tour” sometime during the week or after Mass. Ask Fr Jason or Deacon Karl to show the kids — up close — the places of the church they don’t otherwise get to see and explain what occurs there. The ambo, the tabernacle and the altar can all excite a child’s curiosity.
Prepare as Much as Possible Ahead of Time
If you start your day off in an angry hustle to get to the church on time, your time spent at Mass will have a much rougher start. If you start strong, you’re more likely to finish strong! Lay out clothes the night before, pack diaper bags beforehand, and have breakfast in time. Practice Mass skills at home or before/after Mass. You can practice genuflecting, making the Sign of the Cross and singing some of the more common, simple Mass songs around the house.
Treat the Back of the Church as Undesirable
Being inside the Mass is preferable to being taken out back. When going into the back is necessary, avoid setting little ones down to run around or giving snacks or toys. Otherwise, they will associate their misbehavior with receiving a reward. Rather, keep them in your arms and give an age-appropriate explanation addressing their misbehavior.
Celebrate Sundays
You may want to consider bringing along “Mass bags” with soft toys and age-appropriate Mass or Bible books. These may be used respectfully while not detracting from the sacrament. Having something “special” to look at for young ones can be an exciting part of their Sunday. The books and items used in the Mass bag should be reserved for use in Mass only, not for use during the week at home. It would be fun and special if you bought plain bags from a place like Hobby Lobby, then decorate the bag with your child’s name on it and perhaps a Saint quote, make it special and individualized for each of your children.
MASS BAG IDEAS:
https://modernhousewife-catholichomemaking.blogspot.com/2013/02/mass-bag-for-little-ones.html
Dress up!
We want our children to understand that where we are going and what we are doing is very special and our clothing can communicate this.
