Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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mom2mpr
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Posted: June 16 2009 at 1:27pm | IP Logged Quote mom2mpr
This was the second time we have taken non-churchgoing children to mass with us.
How do you explain things for them during mass(and not disturb those around you)?
What do you do at communion time? They stayed in their seats and I felt sad.
How can you make it "real" for them? I am having trouble with my ds doubting and questioning, so I am having some confidence issues.
Trying to be a good Christian here. I have found this hard. In some ways I was hoping we were just going as a family and the kids were staying home with their parents(the entire family was at our house for the weekend-the parents did not come with us--husband is an atheist but is respectful during our grace and of our commitment to attending mass on Sunday).
Anne
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JennGM
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Posted: June 16 2009 at 1:32pm | IP Logged Quote JennGM
Anne, if you have some books that they can follow along, that would help. And I prepare on the way to Mass in the car a bit.

Some parishes allow non-Catholics to come up with the arms crossed to receive a blessing at communion.

But don't forget you are just the instrument. What you are dong is so great...the seed is planted. Sometimes we don't need to talk and "do" stuff. God can do wonderful things even with the small ways.

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Mackfam
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Posted: June 16 2009 at 2:28pm | IP Logged Quote Mackfam
Anne,
Perhaps the Magnifikid series would be helpful for you. It is engaging and makes a great Friday afternoon primer as you go through the issue for the upcoming Mass. It would be fun to do this with your kids. If the other kids come along you could share, or you'd at least have a vocabulary about the upcoming Mass....know where the readings were coming from, etc. You could say things like - "wonder what color vestments Father will be wearing today?" and "Who will Father mention today in the readings??? St. Peter or St. Paul?" or "Mystery Word - Listen for Father to say ____insert word here from the readings____" So that way you're offering to engage them just a little bit without overwhelming. If they're open to discuss more, they'll let you know by pinging you with tons of questions after Mass!

As for explaining, I'd just explain it gently and straightforward...and before Mass..."As Catholics who love our Mass and Jesus so dearly, there are a few things you should know before we go in. There are some ups and downs...kneel...sit...stand times - just watch me and you'll be fine. Join in the prayers if you feel comfortable. I'll point you along in the missal if you like. You won't be able to go up to receive Holy Communion when we go forward, but you are welcome to say a private prayer in the pew when we go." Smile. Let go. The Holy Spirit will take care of all the rest!

JennGM wrote:
Sometimes we don't need to talk and "do" stuff. God can do wonderful things even with the small ways.

Agreeing so much!

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jenk
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Posted: June 16 2009 at 2:59pm | IP Logged Quote jenk
I've seen children go up during communion at our parish with their arms crossed across their chests to receive a blessing. I don't know if that's done everywhere but it is very common in our parish.
No advice on explaining during the mass but you've done a wonderful thing by taking these children. I have read stories of adult converts who didn't attend church regularly as children but were exposed to mass by friends and the experience stuck with them throughout their lives and their conversion was directly related to that early exposure.

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