tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6252331400180044066.post853335109619166830..comments2013-10-20T18:44:35.136-05:00Comments on The Folly and the Glory: On the Question of Children's Attendance at MassJulie Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00947813397888248459noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6252331400180044066.post-67132758396753383552012-09-13T10:26:23.789-05:002012-09-13T10:26:23.789-05:00Adrienne ~ Infants most certainly DO belong at Mas...Adrienne ~ Infants most certainly DO belong at Mass! The grace of Heaven touching Earth, the grace of the presence of the Holy Eucharist touches them as well! But yes, oftentimes it is easier on the parents to leave the baby home, and I know many families that do so for various reasons (as in your example of the parents swapping Mass times in order to care for the infant). <br /><br />While I have no interest in getting to a "NO vs TLM" discussion, I will say this: your observations don't match mine. I work in a NO parish and attend a NO parish, both very orthodox, and what you describe simply doesn't take place here. At least not in the way you describe. I'm sorry that's been your experience. It's true that is the attitude of some uncatechized parents, but those are found everywhere. Even in a TLM parish. (I've witnessed it, sadly enough). <br /><br />Also, my NO parish has long been a vocations factory, through several Pastors, not all of whom have been the most orthodox. I actually give credit to the perpetual presence of the Blessed Sacrament. :-) Ah...what can be said about the graces from that, for an entire parish! <br /> Julie Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00947813397888248459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6252331400180044066.post-41028315159192044942012-09-13T10:14:03.915-05:002012-09-13T10:14:03.915-05:00Children most assuredly belong at Mass. The only ...Children most assuredly belong at Mass. The only exception is very young babies or sick kids.<br /><br />When we were infants, out of respect for the other attendees, my mom would go to church while dad watched the baby.<br /><br />Properly prepared kids will behave. Case in point: we attend TLM at an FSSP parish. It is rare to see a young child (and there are tons of little kids) misbehave. They have their little prayer books and rosaries and sit quietly. What they <i>don't</i> have is toys and Cheerios. If they start to get a bit restless, mom or dad quietly and gently guide them in proper behavior. On the rare occasion a very little one (under 2 or an infant) has a meltdown, they are rapidly whisked to the cry room.<br /><br />At the NO parishes, it is usually complete chaos with kids running on the pews (pews are for sitting, not the filthy shoes of little kids), banging of action figure toys on the backs of the pews, food being scattered about on the carpet, all while the parents sit back, smile, and say, "Well, they're only kids." Ummm, that's the point! You're job is to teach them how to behave.<br /><br />Result? Almost all of the NO kids drop church as soon as they can - most while still in high school. <br /><br />Almost none of the TLM kids leave the Church and our little FSSP parish has sent numerous vocations off to seminary and the convent over the past 3 or 4 years.<br /><br />Our NO parish is batting 0 in vocations. <br /><br /><br />Adriennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01562944653624224107noreply@blogger.com