| Author | |
glinNC
Forum Pro
Joined: May 09 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 206
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 6:27am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
What do you say to kids who tell you this? I'm trying to prepare one for First Communion, too; so how do I get him to appreciate this gift?
What do you do to enkindle a yearning for Mass in your kids? Or, at least to get them to appreciate it and NOT COMPLAIN?? 
I've been giving them all kinds of responses, but I'd like to hear what you all have to say.
Thanks!
glinNC
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Susana
Forum Pro
Joined: April 30 2008
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 221
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 10:40am | IP Logged
|
|
|
What about reading "The Mass explained to Children", by Maria Montessori? I started reading that to my children ages 6 and under and the 6 and 5 year old have been more aware of what is going on at Mass since then. Sitting up close to the front always helps too, that way they can see what is going on. Lastly I would suggest getting your children a little missal of their own to follow along in. Some of the missals for little one's have pictures and you can tell them that the priest is doing the same thing that the picture is showing. I hope these suggestions help! :)
-Susana
__________________
Mami to ds12,ds11,ds10,ds8,dd7, dd4, and ds 2.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
glinNC
Forum Pro
Joined: May 09 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 206
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 10:58am | IP Logged
|
|
|
We have done, or do, ALL of the above! 
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
TracyQ
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: New York
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1323
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 11:51am | IP Logged
|
|
|
When I was teaching my 2nd graders for First Reconcilation, I always did a math problem on the chalkboard, to try to illustrate my point, that it's not about how we FEEL when we go to Mass, but how we GIVE to the Lord, and the Mass when we do.
I say, kids, how many hours are there in a day? (they say 24).
I say, now how many days in a week? (they say 7).
I multiply those two together, and of course, get 168, and then I re-write 168 really big all by itself to the right of the problem. And then I ask,
How many hours does it take to go to Mass? (about 1, we say). Then I put minus 1 under the 168, and do the math.
Then I say, that's 167 hours for YOU, and 1 for Jesus to physically go and visit Him, and spend with him.
Don't you think it's selfish to complain about going to spend time with a good friend that you love, and who loves you so much???
And then we talk about the friendship of Jesus, and talk about what it takes to be a friend with someone. We talk about how it's so good to spend even more time with Jesus, praying, and thinking about Him throughout the day as we go about our day. We talk about how sometimes it takes effort to have a friendship with people, and I ask how they would feel if they were really good friends with someone, and that friend never payed attention to you, or spent time with you, or talked with you, etc.???
Now in my religion class, the kids' families very often don't go to Mass, so I have to explain its' importance, etc., and tell them that they have a responsibility to at least ASK their parents to take them, and that even if their parents refuse to take them, to keep asking, and to spend a bit of time on Saturday night, or Sunday morning praying to Jesus, and spending time with Him by talking to Him, and that that would make Jesus very happy.
It's really hard for little ones, because they don't understand it well why it's so important to be there. And then around the teenage years, the selfishness comes back, and again, it's even MORE difficult to explain why it's so important. That's why the tradition to do so is so crucial throughout their lives.
I've found with our kids, making Sundays different, and special is a good thing. Some families have their *big meal* just after church (crockpots come in handy for this), and set the table with good china or nice dishes, and tablecloth, and make this one meal very special~ keeping the Lord's Day special really helps a lot. Maybe make a special dessert only on Sunday, and have simpler things through the week. You could have Sunday afternoons be family fun days, or host people at your home and have other family come on Sundays. And then going to Mass can bring the expectation of a special day to come, and develop beautiful traditions. 
These are just a few thoughts I had as I read your post asking for ideas. I hope it helps some.
__________________
Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
 homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Marybeth
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 02 2005
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1277
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 1:02pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I thought Mass was boring as a child. It helped during ds's Communion preparation to do the First Holy Communion notebook which Elizabeth first introduced.
Have you read the book The Weight of the Mass and/or King of the Golden City? Do you sit close or with a view of the altar so ds can stay focused? Do you read the readings and Gospel before you attend Mass? Do you celebrate the liturgical year so he knows the seasons and feast days which are happening around particular Sundays?
My parents use to give us intentions to pray for during Mass and special prayers to say for our family. It helped us pray and allowed for less distractions and daydreaming during the homily.
Pray to your ds' guardian angel for inspiration and piety.
All will be well...I like Mass now!
Mb
__________________
Marybeth (Mb)
http://held-together.blogspot.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Waverley
Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 12 2006
Location: Minnesota
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 476
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 1:46pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I feel your pain glinNC!
2 things have worked at our house:
1. www.catholicmom.com - has wonderful mass worksheets (for 2 different age groups) that ask questions about what is happening at Mass. For example, "The second reading came from the book of _______" or "What color was Father wearing today?" We do not allow our children to take anything into church but we do allow them to do the Mass worksheets which we print out in advance and hand out once we get to church.
2. I think I got this idea from these boards but on Thursday afternoon we have tea time with special cookies and milk or tea and I discuss with the children the scheduled readings for that weekend's Mass. Sometimes I can even find a picture book that tells the story that will be read at Sunday Mass. This has helped because they know the story in advance and can listen for it.
I also love the other ideas posted here!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 2:55pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
when they're tiny, and they get out of hand, we may work at getting to sit without any thing going on to watch to see that going to Mass really isn't boring compared to what you get to do if you act out in Mass
We may play the "where is.. " game during Mass with littles.. where is the statue of Mary? where is Jesus? (depending on what they point to, I'll ask where else He is with hints to get a different answer) where are the yellow/white/red flowers? ask about things in the stained glass windows.. basically while all things are not of the same importance.. making being in Church interesting helps.
I'll whisper what's going on to the kids.. and I'll cue them about what we're going to do next.. ok.. are you ready to stand up? we stand up when father does/says ______ watch for it.. ok now stand up.
And I tell them how the bells are to get our attention because it's the most important part and when the bread and wine change to Jesus.
We do something fun immediately following Mass. Getting to play with the friends that stay for coffee hour is a big draw.. my kids also get excited about going to Stations of the Cross during Lent because there's a soup and bread supper after and we do that.. so my kids are excited when Lent starts because we get to do that.
We go to Mass not necessarily every day, but we do go for special days that are not obligatory. Somehow that we choose to go to Mass above and beyond the obligation makes it seem more "want to" not just "have to" all the time.
And last but not least, I try and remember to watch my own attitude. Do I act excited to be going? or do I act like it's drudgery? Regardless of how I believe.. if I'm tired and act like going to Mass is tons of work (even though it is  ) then the kids will pick up on that attitude.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
onemoretracy
Forum Pro
Joined: Aug 03 2006
Location: Georgia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 329
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 3:03pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Just to add to the great suggestions here, we ordered Magnifikids (kids version of a Magnificat) and that helps...when we remember to bring it
__________________
Tracy
DH Lee
DS Jake-10
DS Ryan-9
DS Luke-6
DD Laine-6
DD Mary Clare-3
DD Sara (Dec.6 '08)
My Blog
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Matilda
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 17 2007
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1827
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 3:09pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
onemoretracy wrote:
| ...when we remember to bring it |
|
|
We have found that keeping them in the car helps! BTW... I am loving all the other tips you gals are sharing!
__________________
Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11 , 10, 9 & 5 ) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angi
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 23 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 521
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 3:25pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Matilda wrote:
onemoretracy wrote:
| ...when we remember to bring it |
|
|
We have found that keeping them in the car helps! BTW... I am loving all the other tips you gals are sharing! |
|
|
Yep, in the car at all times. Sadly, this means that we do not do the Saturday page.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Marybeth
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 02 2005
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1277
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 6:19pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Has anyone looked at CHC's 3 part Catholic cards? They might be a good activity to look into doing. I think the cards may be a bit pricey, but you could possibly make some yourself on the parts of the Mass, sacramentals, etc.
Some other ideas which have helped us with our own ds....
daily Mass when we can make it
lighting candles to remember loved ones intentions
coloring book about the Mass to use at home
learning the Nicene Creed
practicing the handshake of peace (because our ds is painfully shy this part of Mass was very uncomfortable for him)
One idea a seminarian gave on ds' First Holy Communion retreat was to write down the date, time, location and intention of each Mass you attend. This way you are remembering how many times you have received our Lord. We gave ds a journal for this activity at his First Holy Communion party. He is very faithful in having me write down this information.
An example...
38. 11/2 St. Agnes Church 9:00 AM with Daddy for the soul of Uncle Tom and for Grandma and Grandpa
39. 11/3 St. Peter Church 5:45 PM with Daddy for the election and for the United States of America
It is neat to look back and remember what churches ds has attended, different states he received our Lord and his intentions.
Sorry to ramble...off to make dinner!
Mb
__________________
Marybeth (Mb)
http://held-together.blogspot.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
glinNC
Forum Pro
Joined: May 09 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 206
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 8:06pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks for the comments, ladies! I have tried almost all the suggestions and read all the books! I haven't had time to do the readings ahead of time ... I do try to read them to the kids while we are waiting for Mass to begin to familiarize them, though. I will try to make a concentrated effort to do that during the week and talk with them about the readings. Hopefully, that will help, along with our upcoming notebook project for First Communion!
If anybody has any other suggestions, please share! 
Thanks again!
glinNC
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Elena
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 13 2006
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 592
|
| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 8:20pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
How about asking them to keep track of how many times something is said, like "peace" or "love" or "Jesus" or which Eucharistic prayer is said at mass. Give a token on Sunday for whoever comes closes to the correct amount -(which is something you or your husband or an older child have to keep track of!)
Or how about trivia questions about the church, about the windows or the statuary or the vestments.
I'll bet they paid closer attention then!
__________________
Elena
Wife to Peter, mom of many!
My Domestic Church
One Day at a Time
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: "Mass is boring"
