I had much the same upbringing.
All children attended 9:00 mass in the Auditorium.
The only time we actually got to go into the CHURCH was for Confession on Saturdays and our First Communion and Confirmation.
Nuns stood in the back with their "frog" clickers to let you know when to kneel,sit and stand and take attendance.
We also had "May Crowning" of Mary at our Parish.