When Church Feels Like a Chore

Cait Winters offers encouragement for families with little ones at Mass. 

It’s another Sunday morning in the wings, I pace the floor in the basement of my parish, following little steps and hushing little squeals. I hear the echo of the homily in the sanctuary above, trying to hear what my pastor is saying, catching some of the words and the occasional laugh from the congregation.

An Exhausting Day of Rest 

It’s become a routine for either my husband or me to shuffle out of the pew with our bundle of joy and genuflect before heading down the stairs. It’s not that we don’t care what our priest is saying; the homily, in the middle of the Mass is a perfect reprieve in our effort to make it to the altar.

I’ve taken my children to Mass in all of their precious stages. My oldest helped my faith grow when she started Catechism in kindergarten; my second daughter enjoyed the music and being rocked during the Agnus Dei. My son was and is a very active child but it never kept me from bringing him to Adoration, and our baby kicked for the first time in utero at Mass.

That same baby, however, is a toddler now. She’s at the precipice of two and, much like her brother, is very physically expressive. She is precocious, curious and adorable but she’s a runner! She can be perfectly content one minute, distracted by books or toys for a time, but her need to explore always wins.

We had a bit of an age gap between my son and our baby and Sundays were easy for a while, so being back in the toddler phase is daunting. What used to feel like a true day of rest, a deep and reverent time of worship, can now feel like a struggle. My husband and I try to stay in the sanctuary for all of the prayers around the homily. We pass her back and forth, perching her on our hips and shoulders. If she’s having trouble settling, I whisper songs and nursery rhymes into her ears.

God’s Grace is Sufficient

Some mornings she’s tired or just more calm and the Mass goes smoothly, to my relief. Other times we’re wrestling her, battling against the clock to make it to the Consecration and receive the grace of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament which we need to keep us strong.

On the hard days it helps to remember that the Truth is still true no matter how I feel. Whether I’m praying in silence or pacing the basement floor, our presence at Mass is essential. Not only out of obligation to the practice of faith but for the formation of my children as well. The Church is more than just a place full of icons and candles, it is a home for our souls. The familiarity, memories and milestones are being created each time I bring my kids to my Father’s house.

The Word is Alive

The Letter to the Hebrews touches on another fact that comforts me: The Word of God is alive!

Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Hebrews speaks of the rest, afforded to us by our faith in Jesus rather than our works, urging us to be bold in seeking God’s grace:

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. (Hebrews 4:16)

While our attendance at Mass may feel daunting right now, I know from experience that it is just a phase. Our daughter will grow more patient and understanding through the years. Before we know it the extra effort to take her to Mass will be a memory. The pitter-patter of her little feet and the anticipation of the Eucharist in the tabernacle above will be a cherished vision.

If you’re a parent in the wings this Sunday, know you’re not alone. We’re not just here wrangling kids, we’re raising the next generation of Catholics. Take heart and never stop bringing your children Home.

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Copyright 2026 Cait Winters
Images: Canva