Author Topic: Children at Mass (Read 11101 times)

PenitentWoman · « **Reply #60 on:** August 04, 2012, 04:43:39 PM »

I always appreciate such supportive feedback.

Thorn, I would love if my Mom would join me but I know she will refuse to cover her hair (although at Diocesan TLM I see that some women don't) and I know she will attempt to take communion even though she is living in sin. There was a time when I didn't receive at the NO and she was mad that I was "advertising" my sin. She doesn't even believe in transubstantiation. The Eucharist is just symbolic to her. Therefore she has little respect for it. I will just have to pray that God can nudge her.

Momofmany, I know that I'm being a bit paranoid. I wish I wasn't so sensitive. It isn't just people on the internet, because my fears have held me down long before I came here. It is a strange mixture of guilt for ignoring the pleas of my disapproving family and friends, and fear of just not blending in. I've been treated nicely, but it isn't the same as going to an NO mass.I just have to keep telling myself that I'm not there to socialize, I am there for the Lord and for the grace.

songbird · « **Reply #61 on:** August 05, 2012, 06:25:48 PM »

It sounds like the devil is playing with your thoughts. Like going to confession: the line is to long, I don't know what to say, I am afraid, I'll go next week. People in the traditional are there to forget and not to be looking around. They are there for one purpose, God, for worship and graces needed to get through from week to week and so if anyone is there with their mind in all wrong places they are in trouble for doing so. People should not notice you except to see you once and think, ah! God brought us new people and to them that is prayers answered to them and a smile to their face. Hope is what we all need and you are that hope for us!

Thorn · « **Reply #62 on:** August 05, 2012, 07:57:04 PM »

Penitent, would your mom be willing to watch the baby while you went to church by yourself? You'd only be gone 2 hours or less depending on how far away the church is. I don't think you need the added distraction at first of trying to take care of her & follow the Mass. You don't need to go to Communion. Many people don't go for various reasons - upset stomach for instance, so you needn't think that you will stand out & everyone will wonder why you're not going. I've gone to Mass many times without receiving Communion. Print out that excellent pamphlet that Hobbles posted for us on how to follow the Mass. Just go by yourself a few times until you feel more comfortable before bringing the baby.
You won't stand out because you're alone either as many people go alone.

I don't mean to lay a guilt trip on you in addition to all your other problems but going to Mass on Sundays & Holy Days of Obligation is imperative. Not only does God demand it as we need to give Him honor on His day, but you need the graces to get thro the week. I'm just telling you the facts of Life.
All the knowledge about tradition is worthless unless there is action.

I agree with songbird about the devil. I'll give him credit - he's clever.

PenitentWoman · « **Reply #63 on:** August 05, 2012, 08:03:41 PM »

Quote from: songbird

It sounds like the devil is playing with your thoughts. Like going to confession: the line is to long, I don't know what to say, I am afraid, I'll go next week. People in the traditional are there to forget and not to be looking around. They are there for one purpose, God, for worship and graces needed to get through from week to week and so if anyone is there with their mind in all wrong places they are in trouble for doing so. People should not notice you except to see you once and think, ah! God brought us new people and to them that is prayers answered to them and a smile to their face. Hope is what we all need and you are that hope for us!

It might be a bit of the devil. I really don't mean to seem like I'm making excuses.

My friend who I recently had a bit of falling out with sent me a text this morning inviting me to NO mass at her parish and to the Knights breakfast with her and her husband. I miss her,so it was so hard to say no. I'm glad I was strong, but I have that strange feeling that I'm being rebellious, because I'm doing something different than what I've always known.

On the upside, my little one SLEPT through most of mass, which hasn't happened in months.

Pleasant coincidence or something else?

PenitentWoman · « **Reply #64 on:** August 05, 2012, 08:06:04 PM »

Thorn, I will have to ask her. I feel guilty leaving her anymore than I have to, but it would be helpful so I could concentrate and pay attention.

Mithrandylan · « **Reply #65 on:** August 05, 2012, 08:11:49 PM »

I just wanted to comment on the quote provided by the OP.

The woman writing should be ashamed of herself. She says that she might as well go back to the NO with the crying there... which means that what defines the TLM for her is some sort of exterior. Music or smells, I don't know. But she's smells and bells, that's for sure if kids are ruining the mass for her.

There should of course be a balance, and I agree on what's been said about that so far. But those children who cross that line that was drawn should be treated with leniency, not animosity. The fact that anyone could get angry at a two year old being a two year old means that THEY have to grow up. One of the great things about traditionalism is all the children... or at least, that's how some of us feel. I guess not all.

PenitentWoman · « **Reply #66 on:** August 05, 2012, 08:23:01 PM »

One last thing. Would it be really bad to take communion from a Diocesan TLM? I almost did but decided against it with a sleeping baby to haul.

RomanCatholic1953 · « **Reply #67 on:** August 05, 2012, 08:36:31 PM »

These Children from 1958 knew what was going on at Mass because
they were taught well.

RomanCatholic1953 · « **Reply #68 on:** August 06, 2012, 09:59:16 AM »

Children dressed as Priests and Nuns from St. Gerald Parish in the Annual
Oaklawn Parade near Chicago, Illinois on 8-13-1959.

These Children were taught very well in those days.

Belloc · « **Reply #69 on:** August 06, 2012, 10:20:22 AM »

sometimes, I do find myself wishing for the pre-NT Jєωιѕн custom of women/children seperated from men......with right screens, would cut down on the noise.....even in trad parishes, too much going on.....

Thorn · « **Reply #70 on:** August 06, 2012, 10:59:03 PM »

I have no problem with the men & women together, but there is one custom in the early church that I so wish would have been reinstated & that is before the Consecration all the ones who were studying the faith & hadn't received their first Communion would have to leave. This part of the Mass was just for the full members. That would solve a lot of problems such as just anyone going up to the Communion rail. Thus the first part of Mass was called the Mass of the Catechumans & the other, the Mass of the Faithful.

Penitent, there's some controversy about that, so all I'll say is that it isn't the best thing to do but some will say it would be OK. At this point you don't need the whys & wherefores of controversy.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #71 on:** August 06, 2012, 11:17:07 PM »

Quote from: Thorn

I have no problem with the men & women together, but there is one custom in the early church that I so wish would have been reinstated & that is before the Consecration all the ones who were studying the faith & hadn't received their first Communion would have to leave. This part of the Mass was just for the full members. That would solve a lot of problems such as just anyone going up to the Communion rail. Thus the first part of Mass was called the Mass of the Catechumans & the other, the Mass of the Faithful.

Is it strange that one of the N.O. parishes I attended did this? It wasn't across the board, though. It was only the RCIA candidates as I guess they were told in their classes to leave at that point.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #72 on:** August 06, 2012, 11:33:40 PM »

PW -
Taking your baby with you up to communion is fine. Hold her curious grabby hand. If she has a pacifier, make sure it's clipped to her. Having someone to pass off to is nice, but certainly not necessary.

Matthew · « **Reply #73 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:54:31 AM »

Regarding discipline of young children --

We have to keep in mind that the faculty of Reason develops over time in children, starting from zero. So at age 1, for example, your cute little boy/girl is no more rational than a dog or cat.

How does one discipline a dog or cat?

Always physical -- no negotiating, expostulating, arguing, or explaining. You're not dealing with a fellow rational being.

Always immediate -- if too much time elapses from the instant of the "offense", the dog/cat/toddler will be confused as to why you're punishing them.

The less Reason you have, the more you live in the moment -- the less you can connect things together.

And you must always have the mentality "What I say goes" and "I am always right". Don't drive yourself crazy trying to justify your critique of their irrational or foolish behavior. Your children might be right once in a while when they're older -- but not now.

Certain sayings are 100% true regarding child discipline and correction --

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
A stitch in time saves nine. (A single stitch done in a timely manner to a piece of ripped clothing is better than waiting till later and having to put NINE stitches in)
Etc.

If you don't like spanking children, then you REALLY need to make sure your plants grow straight up from the time they're seedlings. It's only when you let your plants grow wild that you need to get out the serious pruning shears later.

PenitentWoman · « **Reply #74 on:** August 07, 2012, 11:16:33 AM »

Even I could find it in me to give a little swat, I still would hesitate as I've heard horror stories of kids revealing to their daycare providers they were spanked. The last thing I need is a "concerned" childcare worker sticking CPS on me.

Her room leader already dislikes me because "dresses are not play clothes" and I don't allow her to eat what other 10 month olds do.

Praying for the day she won't be a day-orphan. Until then I can only pray my influence is stronger.

Good to know I can carry her communion when I get to that point.