Encouraging a Prayerful Atmosphere in Church

One of the strengths of this parish has always been the welcome we offer to everyone who wants to come and share in our services. We aim to make these both joyful and prayerful occasions. We want to allow everyone to have a positive experience of worshipping together as a community, whether old or young; coming on their own, or with family.

In order for this to happen, we want everyone to be able to hear the Word of God proclaimed and to experience a quiet prayerful atmosphere for the celebration of the Eucharist. We would like everyone to feel enriched by the presence of each other and we want our children to learn to enjoy prayerful stillness and reverence for the presence of Jesus among us.

We can achieve this if all children:

• remain with and are supervised by an adult
• are encouraged to be observant and listen
• are encouraged to sit still without talking or running around
• do not bring ‘noisy’ toys into church.
• are taken outside briefly if their crying or talking is preventing others from hearing and taking part in the celebration.

Generally school aged children can be expected to:

• remain with and are supervised by an adult
• listen to the readings or read an age-appropriate bible story or mass
book
• attend Children’s Liturgy of the Word at 9.30am Mass if they wish
begin to join in the songs and spoken responses
• join in prayers such as the Our Father
vsit still and watch what is happening
• listen and enter into the prayers of the Mass and have their own silent
intentions.

Younger children and babies can be encouraged to:

• remain with and are supervised by an adult
• look quietly at books
• play with ‘silent’ toys
• stay where their family is sitting
• whisper when they want to ask something
• go out with a parent if they need to visit the toilet

All children are welcome to become involved in the following ways:

• help with the offertory procession
• remain with and are supervised by an adult
• sing or play an instrument
• help as a welcomer or to tidy books and newsletters after a celebration
• become an altar server after they have celebrated their First Eucharistv
• be involved with the celebration of Family Mass in some way
• be an active listener and observer and discuss what they see and hear with family on the way home
• contribute to art work for Christmas and Easter.

We can all:

• support parents in their high expectations
• remain with and are supervised by an adult
• be welcoming and friendly to children
• not talk ourselves during services
• allow quiet time for reflection and prayer immediately before and after services
• park with consideration, leaving our neighbours’ driveways free
• ensure that mobile phones do not ring during celebrations.

If your child has additional needs please let us know what we can do to support you. We are intending to have a library of children’s mass books and bible stories to be borrowed during services. Please tell us if there are other ways in which we can help you and your child enjoy and participate in our celebrations more.

Parish Pastoral Forum. November 2005