I’m not going to lie; I milked the whole “Not safe to bring my kids to church because of the pandemic” thing for far too long. Of course, at the beginning it was valid but as time went on that wasn’t the real reason my family was not going to mass. We were tired and overwhelmed at the idea of getting kids dressed, presentable and transported to the church on time. Not to mention the battles with my oldest who inevitably wouldn’t want to go. So, like all humans, we rationalized excuses in our heads so we wouldn’t feel guilty.
Recently though I decided we were going to attend mass every Sunday as a family, and I have been shocked at how well it has been going. I mean, there may be some bribery of donuts involved for the kids, but hey you do want you got to do. Now that we have our Sunday routine established, the kids follow suit, and I must say it is now the highlight of my week.
So why is Sunday mass the best hour of my week? Well, you know how as a parent you are constantly torn in multiple directions and feel like you need to always be doing something to be productive? Well, for me, mass calms all the noise. It is time in which my only expectation is to sit in the presence of the Lord and snuggle my children. What could be better than that? Even through the struggles of my kids waving palm leaves that hit the parishioners in front of us, I cherish this quality time together as a family. Plus watching my boys toddle to the front holding hands through communion is worth the price of admission for me.
At times when I see the struggling parents of unruly children at church, I would like to comfort them and tell them not to be embarrassed, that everyone is just happy to see their children at church. Likewise, when my children become unruly, I hope that is what other parents are thinking about me.
I think Debra from Everybody Loves Raymond said it best when her husband asked why she goes to church.
“To thank God for you and the kids, and to pray for the strength to get through another week with you and the kids.”