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Anne
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| Posted: June 05 2008 at 7:29pm | IP Logged
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I have never introduced my dc to the habit of Adoration. I myself have tried to make time for it in the past but it never seemed to get done. After much prayer and study (I am learning so much from all of you  ) I have decided to begin an adoration habit.
It just so happens that a Seminarian from our Parish is being Ordained a Priest on Saturday and we are holding a 24 hour adoration for him.
We signed up for a one hour time slot Friday at 2:00 PM.
My questions are.....
Should I do just the rosary with my dc and let them meditate a while?
It is all right (if we are the only ones in the chapel) to read them a story like The Little Caterpillar That Finds Jesus?
Can my dc write in their prayer journals or draw pictures of the tabernacle?
I hope my ignorance is not offensive to anyone.  This is new territory for me and I want to be respectful and teach my children in the proper ways. Thanks
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Anne in TN
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jennthmg
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| Posted: June 05 2008 at 7:52pm | IP Logged
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From what I understand, after prayer time, Pope John Paul spent several hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament each day doing his paperwork.
Jesus comes to us in the form of Bread so we won't be afraid to come to him -- whose afraid of bread?
Anything you would do with dear friend (would you read a book to your child at a friend's house -- yes, you would.) is reasonable to do with our children in adoration. I think you already hit on the key -- will you be disturbing anyone else? If you won't then allowing your children to be respectful and still expecting them to be children is appropriate at adoration.
Jenn
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Maddie
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For my little ones I bring Catholic coloring books and lots of religious type of books to look at.
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~Maddie~
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SuzanneG
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Anne ~
You are certainly NOT being offensive....they are great questions!
All those things that you've mentioned are things I've done with my girls the couple of times that we've gone together. They all sound like wonderful ways to spend an hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
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Suzanne in ID
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MaryM
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Children of Hope is a great resource for introducing children to Eucharistic Adoration. Much of the info on the website is geared to doing a full blown children's Adoration hour, but there is a lot there that you could do on a smaller scale with your own children. Fr. Antoine Thomas is speaking at our homeschool conference tomorrow. He is amazing with the children. I'm excited to hear him again.
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Mary M. in Denver
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Sparrow
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Hi Ann,
Remember that Christ said "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these!"
This is what I reminded myself of when I took my eldest to adoration today for the first time. She brought a children's bible and a book on sea creatures. As there were other people in the chapel, I did remind her to keep her voice down, but I don't want her to feel pressured to "perform" in the presence of our Lord. She was so eager be near to Him, she sat in the very front and looked through her books while I sat farther back and chatted with a friend I hadn't seen in awhile. Wasn't long before she wanted to go up and sit in the balcony (since there are always people there during Mass, she's never had the opportunity to go up) but I'm sure He didn't mind :) We had to cut it short because I had the littlest one with me and she was NOT happy but I won't hesitate to bring dd1 again.
...allowing your children to be respectful and still expecting them to be children is appropriate at adoration.
Yes! Exactly :)
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Katie, blessed wife to Tyson and mom to all girls! Bailey (7) Riley (3) and Rory (3/17)
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Anne
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| Posted: June 06 2008 at 9:38am | IP Logged
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Thanks for all the wonderful ideas!
Mary---I looked at the Children of Hope website and emailed it to our DRE. I am hopeful that we may get a program started in our parish. How exciting to see Fr. Antoine in person. I am envious.
Just a side note...I am in the same parish I grew up in and I remember as a small child going into the chapel with my mother. She never told me we were in there for adoration however I can remember playing just below the Sacristy in the glow of the stained glass windows. This is one of my fondest memories. I was aware of the presence of God and just basked in the glow of Christ. I so want that for my dc.
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Anne in TN
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Cay Gibson
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Anne,
What wonderful questions. I'm glad you asked. The book you mentioned will be perfect!
We have a night hour and often carry sleeping girls to the car.
My six-year-old loves to "pack" for Adoration. She brings her Littlest Pet Shop creatures and coloring books and sketch pad. I make it a point when she and her sister comes with us (or goes with their older sister) to read a spiritual book to them then they are allowed to color, draw, write or read something they want.
They love Adoration.
I wish I had started with my older three much sooner, but even my 15-yr-old ds is willing to take friend's hours when they can't make it.
Sometimes with older ones you have to pray the Holy Spirit will move them.
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Cay Gibson
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donnalynn
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| Posted: June 06 2008 at 10:49am | IP Logged
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My younger boys would never tolerate a whole hour of adoration - so when I sign up and bring the children - my two girls each do about 20 minutes on their own and then all of us go in for the last 20 minutes.
From there we've done all kinds of variations to cover our hour.
I have the younger boys make a spiritual communion and then I do read them a story. It very rarely happens that anyone else is there in the church - if someone is - I read in more of a whisper voice.
We actually got out of the habit of signing up - things have been popping up on Friday's - I'll have to start bringing the boys again in the fall (in the past our Adoration has been suspended during the Summer months).
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Anne
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| Posted: June 06 2008 at 8:19pm | IP Logged
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Laidies I just wanted to let you know that our hour of adoration went so beautifully well. I couldn't have asked a better group of people for help.
We did a decate of the rosary followed by my explination of the blessed sacrement. We then had some quiet time to reflect and finished up with the story, The Little Caterpillar That Finds Jesus.
Cay, You were right this was the perfect story. I left there feeling so full of the Holy Spirit and the dc told me there was a moment when they also felt a special feeling. Thanks again.
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Anne in TN
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MaryM
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That's wonderful, Anne. Thanks for the update.
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Mary M. in Denver
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SuzanneG
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So glad it went well, Anne!
You have inspired me to take the girls with us more often. 
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Suzanne in ID
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Sparrow
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I'm so glad to hear it went well! 
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Katie, blessed wife to Tyson and mom to all girls! Bailey (7) Riley (3) and Rory (3/17)
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: I need some advice ASAP
