FOR CRYING OUT LOUD: Priests and parishes welcome babies to church

"I don't have any problem with it at all. In fact, sometimes I say, 'Oh, you're right on key over there,'" the pastor remarked.

Crying babies are so commonplace in churches that priests and parents seem to handle the tears and tantrums routinely, making Masses as pleasant as possible for other parishioners.

Cry room

Waiting game

"I would prefer [parents] bring them down front because I think they would learn at an early age to behave better," Father Markert pointed out.

If parents insist on sitting in the cry room from the start, however, that does show consideration on their part, he added, noting: "It is to the benefit of the rest of the people in the parish, so they can hear what's going on."

Options

"If they get too loud, [parents] take them out until they quiet down," said Rev. Owen Shanley, pastor.

A preschool program at the parish hall during 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass gives parents an option if they don't want their children disturbing churchgoers.

Parents whose children are disruptive during Mass generally know how to resolve the situation, but Father Shanley's years of ordained ministry have taught him to accept that children can be both seen and heard.

"If they start yelling and screaming too much, [the parents] go to the back and quiet them down," he said. "After 45 years, you get used to that."

Walking time

"Most parents walk up and down the side aisle," he said. "It seems just being carried and the movement quiets them down a bit. There are rare times when parents go outside or into the sacristy."

Father Ingemie mentioned that St. James parish offers a Liturgy of the Word for children during 9 a.m. Sunday Mass. It caters primarily to children between the ages of 4 and 7 but may be expanded to include children up until age 10.

Parents who bring their infant children to Mass are encouraged to get as close to the action as possible so they can see what's happening.

"If they sit toward the front so [the children] can see what's going on, that seems to help them a great deal," Father Ingemie said.

In control

In lieu of a cry room, there is a nursery for toddlers in the school building, and a children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Masses.

Most parents with infant children try sitting down with them and don't bring them to the back of the church unless they become unusually loud. Father Schmitt agreed with his fellow priests, who said that sitting in the front pews is a good way to maintain children's interest during Mass. "Kids don't like to look at the backs of people's heads," he said.

Tolerable

"We don't have all that many babies; but when we do, we either tolerate them or tell the parents afterward or ahead of time not to feel embarrassed to bring them into the side room," he said.

Whether parents remain in their seats or take a walk with their children to keep them quiet, Father O'Neill wants parents to know that they should feel right at home during Mass with their kids.

"I don't want the parents to be embarrassed to the point where they wouldn't come to church or wouldn't bring the child," he said.

(11-19-98) [[In-content Ad]]