Parents with Children

Each community has different expectations for parents with small children.

As we all know children are going to make some noise, cry, and/or say things at inopportune times.

This is to be expected.

However, it is important to remember that Sunday Mass is a time for the worship of God it is not a time, strictly speaking, to train children how to behave. At St. Thomas More it is not acceptable for parents to allow their children to disrupt Mass (in the church building itself) in a sustained manner. To assist with this expectation we have many options available for parents:

 

  1. If your child is simply making intermittent noise here and there, then there is no need to take any action other than ensuring the disruption is not becoming sustained.
  2. If the disruption becomes more sustained please feel free to get up and walk with them. Sometimes that’s enough. You are welcome to walk in the row or around the back of the church itself. Our whole community supports this and is not fazed by it at all. This is the kind of thing every parent does at a family gathering, for instance.
  3. If the disruption continues please take your child to the vestibule or Mary chapel. You are still able to see and hear Mass in those places very well.
  4. In addition, we have numerous large screen TVs outside with full sound and grass for the kids if necessary.
  5. We also have our “Church School” in the hall for children between 3 and 5 years old. You may drop them off for this around 15 mins prior to Mass.
  6. Lastly, the Hall itself is set up with tables, snacks for kids and two projection screens along with two additional side rooms with large screens of the Mass as well as good sound to allow you to participate.

Our goal is to provide resources for parents to allow them to participate according to the needs of their family while at the same time looking out for the good of their fellow parishioners. It’s our goal for your children to eventually be able to be in the Church and also be able to pray, however sometimes it’s just going to be a bad day or the kids are not yet ready. Hence, the many options available.