Replies

My daughter and son-in-law started “visiting” a non-denominational church early this year.

Last night, they had “the visit” from the pastor at that church to determine if they would be “returning visitors” or “members.” She said she had questions for the guy and told me a few. One after another, I offered rebuttal. She did say she was looking for a reason NOT to be members and that, to her, the nursery was the attraction. Which is when I told her that the Catholic church closest to them does have a nursery during the early Mass. (it isn’t advertised in the bulletin.)

Please pray for their return to the Faith in which they grew up.

She did say she was looking for a reason NOT to be members and that, to her, the nursery was the attraction.

Well, that is a first! In the 19th Book of Matthew, we read: "children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them." And what was our Lord's response? He said: "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

In our small Catholic parish, we have lots of children! Five years ago, the pastor asked me to serve as Director for Religious Education. Oftentimes, the parents would drop off their children (we accept them for RE classes beginning with age 3), but not return to pick them up until after Mass (RE classes are held just before Mass on Sundays). Their excuse was that they still have younger children who make a lot of noise at Mass. That embarrasses the parents so they don't bring them to church, denying themselves the graces that flow from attending Mass.

The solution was quite simple and is based on Matthew's gospel. I explained to the parents that their very young children acted up because they sat in the back of the church. The littlest ones are stuck behind adults. They want to see what is going on. With the pastor's full support, I suggested they bring the little ones to Mass on Sunday but sit up front. If the child wants to wander, let them! A wandering child warms hearts; a screaming child does not. The end result (and it took a lot of convincing) was that this approach truly works!

"Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." As a result of implementing this program, one of the little boys kept eyeing the older boys who served at the altar and, on his own, approached the priest to ask if he too could serve. God bless this priest! He agreed. You can imagine the smiles that lit up the congregation when Danny, aged 4, led the entrance procession, carrying a candle in his tiny hands. Yesterday, our bishop came to celebrate the liturgy. Danny, now 5, was 'vested' only in a white surplice that reaches to his knees, tied at the waist with a red chord. "Let the children come to me ... ". What a beautiful sight!

The most immediate response to your daughter, however, is that switching to a non-denominational church will separate her and your son in law, from the Eucharist. “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.”

THAT is the critical message you need to convey to you daughter.

Please pray for their return to the Faith in which they grew up.

I have added them to my daily prayer list. A word of caution. Once on that list, it is forever.