Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

Just curious, right now we belong to our local parish Good Shepherd in Holbrook. Both DH & I were raised Catholic and wish to stay this way.

My one grip I guess, is that unlike other faiths, I find the Catholic Churches don't do a good job of welcoming wee ones. What I mean is other faiths that my friends belong to have kids programs (I should say toddlers) or separate rooms, etc with a babysitter kinda.

Am I just not familiar, but I've never seen a Catholic parish have anything like this. Please tell me I'm wrong. My DS is an extremely active 13mos year old and will not sit still for an hour. Any tips or help?

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

My parish - St Josephs in Kings Park doesnt either. They do have a "childrens mass" but not where you leave your kids and go to regular mass, and it is geared towards older children too.

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

My church does, to some extent, but we are in NC so it won't really help.

They have a Children's mass geared toward the kids, the kids do the readings, children's choir, it's shorted to account for the attention span of kids, etc.

Even in the regular masses, the 4-8 year olds are called up at the beginning of the mass to get a blessing by the priest, he asks them questions on the days theme and then they go off to Sunday school. We also have the cry room.

Message edited 2/25/2010 9:28:27 AM.

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

I think that the Cathedral in RVC has a separate mass for children, not held in the actual church. Holy Name of Mary in Valley Stream has a children's mass at 10:30, but there is no babysitter. There is a children's room for parents to take screaming or overly active children.

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

I'm pretty sure my church Parish of the Holy Cross in Nesconset has a cry/children's room. Essentially it is a room that is blocked off from the rest of the church so that the kids can be loud and can walk around, but they have speakers in there that you can hear the mass.

I keep meaning to take Kaydyn to church but they just moved the Children/Family Mass to 9am and I haven't been able to get in my butt in gear and get there.

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

That's why technically our parish is Good Shepard, we joined St. Joseph's instead. Much better for kids and families.

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

Our church (St. Joseph's in Babylon) has a "crying room" in the main church - you can bring the kids in there and watch and hear the mass on a video monitor. On Sunday at 9:30AM mass, children kindergarten on up are dismissed to learn in a more child-friendly way what the readings are about and they return after the homily.

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

St Francis in Wantagh has a family mass at 10:00. Most Sundays the 5yo and up are invited to leave the church and go next door to hear the children's homily, they return just before Communion. Other Sundays the children have a role in the Mass in some way. A few weeks ago it was Boy Scout Sunday so all the scouts wore their uniforms and walked in with the processional.

I remember St Cyrils in Deer Park having a crying room. I dont know if they still use it.

Message edited 2/25/2010 10:42:53 AM.

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

If you are willing to travel a little East, Mary Immaculate in Bellport is very accommodating to children.

One of their masses is a Children's mass where the older kids (I think it is 4 and up) go upstairs during the mass for their readings (they just make the lesson a little easier to understand). They also invite the kids up on the alter for part it.

But what I really like (and I am not a mom) is that the priest welcomes the kids, he doesn't get mad or fustrated when a baby cries or when a toddler breaks away and makes a run for it.

My niece one time decided that asile was her stage and danced her way through the mass (after several attempts by me and my sister to get her to stop) the priest told her to keep going. His answer was she is here and enjoying herself -- it will make her want to come back.

I know several churches have crying rooms, but that is so others aren't disturbed not so the children can be involved.

I will also add, that since the kids are so welcomed I find people are more courtsey of it and each other. They even have rocking chairs in the back of the church so if you have a small one you can rock with them if it keeps the calm.

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

thanks everyone. Wish overall Catholic Churches were more accomodating and not so old-school, you know.

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

Re: Catholic Parishes with Kids Masses/Programs

My church (in Nassau, though) has their family mass at 10am on Sundays. The priests and deacons encourage you to bring the little ones, let them cry and throw cheerios on the floor- let them be kids I haven't been able to go to that mass yet b/c of work, but now that my schedule has changed, i look forward to making it there!