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What if my children do not want to attend Mass?
If you are asking me, here is my answer: Bring them anyway.
A few months ago I posted this poem (inspired by a poem that is often attributed to Mother Teresa (Saint Teresa of Calcutta).
The post seemed to REALLY resonate with people – both Catholic and non-Catholic.
So, I thought I should share this here, and again give the gentle reminder that even though the children may not want to go to Mass . . . it’s a good idea to:
Bring them anyway…
Babies will cry and cause distraction from the Liturgy of the Word and people might give you disapproving looks,
Bring the babies to Mass anyway…
Toddlers will drop the kneeler so loudly it will shake the church and make a B-line for the altar,
Take them to Mass anyway…
Pre-schoolers will take off their shoes, touch everyone constantly and request more than one trip to the bathroom,
Bring them to church anyway…
Young children will not pray or pay attention to the homily,
Dress them nicely and bring them to pray anyway….
Pre-teens and tweens will spend a ton of time looking for their friends in the pews and won’t remember anything from the readings,
Bring them to be present at Mass anyway…
Teens will question why, roll their eyes at sitting up front and not be in agreement with many things you hold dear,
Tell them to get ready and bring them to Mass with you anyway…
You see, in the final analysis, no matter what state of life any of us are in,
Jesus died for us anyway…
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As someone who was made to go over and over, it makes a difference. Even if you can’t see it, even if there is a slipping away when those children are adults, what they had as children will always be with them and be one of the reasons they come back. Please take them anyway.