Children See How Important Mass Is
By Fr. Paul Wharton, Blessed Sacrament, South Charleston.The Solemn Blessing in the Rite of Infant Baptism declares to the parents that they are the first teachers of their children in the ways of faith. The Church prays they may be the best of teachers. Whenever I see parents doing an outstanding job of sharing the light of the Catholic faith with their children, I am both grateful and touched. I see some parents helping children dip their fingers in holy water and make the sign of the cross. In churches where the tabernacle is visible, they teach them how to genuflect (get down on one knee as a sign of reverence). In both cases, they talk about the what and the why.
Every couple of years, a parent shares with me how their Child plays Mass by carrying the Gospel Book (when I didn’t have a deacon), preaching, giving communion, etc. Last April, one of our moms shared this picture of a daughter’s creative use of dolls at Mass. Notice the details.
There is a sanctuary with an altar, ambo, presidential chair, and priest.
To the priest’s right are servers, and perhaps a Reader and Eucharistic Minister.
It looks like someone is waiting to accept the collection basket.
There is a boy and girl ready to bring the bread and wine to the altar.
Here at Blessed Sacrament Parish children are always welcome no matter how young and restless. Your child or grandchild sounds 10 times louder to you than us. Notice how often an especially loud baby becomes quiet when someone carries them to the back.
When children see how important Mass is to the adults, they are growing in faith. Not only parents, but all adults need to set a good example for children by singing, praying, participating, by looking and acting as if something important is happening because it is. Jesus comes to us in the people gathered, the person of the priest, the Word of God proclaimed and preached, an in the bread and wine offered, blessed, and consecrated that become the Body and Blood of Christ. Our children have a lot to learn at Mass, in Sunday faith formation, and the upcoming Vacation Bible Experience. But they also have much to teach us.
