2013-01-14       John W       John W's previous articles

Children at church - Six stories
Please add more stories in comment box, below!

Story One:  A week ago in Sydney.  A mother said her children aged 10 and 8 didn't like going to church...because "boring"

Story Two: Two weeks ago in Melbourne: I visited a church where children use the weekday chapel area (partitioned off from main church area) for children's special Liturgy of the Word....until Offertory Procession when children bring up gifts, then children take their places in very front seats (reserved for them), together with their Liturgy of Word teachers (most of whom are their own parents)

Story Three:  Last Christmas Eve at an early evening Mass in Hong Kong: I stood at the back of a church after helping with Reconciliation.  Noticed many children sitting in ordinary seats....couldn't see altar/priest etc.  "Church" was school hall, but hall had raised platform at side of altar ... used by choir....with lots of extra space and spare seats

Story Four:  Recently in Melbourne I visited St John's Anglican Church in Camberwell.  As you can see in these photos, the last few seats on one side of the church have been removed, and that space is a children's area, with children's tables, chairs, drawing material (making pictures based on the Sunday Gospel), children's books, a notice board where artwork is displayed.  The children can hear and see the church service....and (in my imagination at least) they take up the offertory gifts, then stay at the front...

Story Five: At most Masses in Hong Kong, after Communion, pre-Communion children go the front of the church for a blessing by the priest/deacon

Story Six: On a lighter note:  small boy in clear and confident voice to mother in church: "Mummy, I need to pee". Mother takes him outside, but on way back says "Next time, say 'I need to whisper'".  Following Sunday small boy is sitting next to his father and says "Daddy, I need to whisper". Father replies "Whisper in my ear"

Any stories you'd like to post?  Please use comment box below  (Please be careful if mentioning real names/places etc)