An Open Letter to the Young Parents at Mass

Christine Johnson offers encouragement to parents who bring their families to Mass even while the Sunday obligation is lifted due to the pandemic.

Hi, there, moms and dads. I can hear your family at the back of the half-empty church, and I want you to know something.

I’m not annoyed by your fussy babies and toddlers. In fact, at a time when you have the option of taking the dispensation and watching at home where the kids can play, I’m grateful for you. I’m so glad you’re at Mass on Sunday morning, masked up and socially distanced from non-family members. I know you’re probably even more hyper-aware of every little squawk or squeal your little ones let out.

But I’m happy to hear it.

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I’m overjoyed with families who are making this effort to get to Mass every week when it’s easier to watch the livestream. I’m happy to hear little ones who are at Mass, even if they don’t understand and even if they are fussy sometimes. What you’re doing is building a strong foundation to your children’s spiritual lives, even if it doesn’t feel like much.

You’re showing your children that coming to Mass in person is important. You’re teaching them that faith has value. They’re learning that it’s worth the extra effort to worship together and receive Christ in the Eucharist.

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Click to tweet:
You’re showing your children that coming to Mass in person is important. You’re teaching them that faith has value. #catholicmom

I wish I could talk with you after Mass and tell you this, but it’s so hard when we’re trying to space out and we’re being dismissed row by row after Mass. So that’s why I wanted to write to you today and tell you this:

Hang in there. Keep up the good work. And I hope we’ll be able to hang out at the parish picnic in The After.

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If you are looking for some resources for your young children at Mass, please check out Catholic Mom’s Sunday Gospel activities. (Family tested for decades! My own children used to color and fill in the Q&A when they were little.)