Out of the mouth of babes: ‘Sunday night Mass rocks!’

Devoted Catholics often have a regimented ritual of attending Mass every week at the same time.  

We attend Mass as part of our family life. As parents, we instill in our daughters to lean on their faith. The best testament to this is to role model attending Mass as a priority in our family life. As a family unit, we encourage the practice of their faith to grow and develop their relationship with the Lord. It is so ingrained in our family life that it is part of our routine any given Sunday.  

Recently, my daughter slept over by her cousin’s house; therefore, she would not be home in time for the traditional 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass that we usually attend as a family. So, her father, Pop Pop, told her, “Do not worry; we will attend the night Mass.” 

At first, she was unsure and  questioned it, but then she realized she does not get a pass and she needed to go to Mass. Let me mention, this would be my daughter’s first time attending a night Mass.  The thought even crossed my mind: It is late; I hope she does not fall asleep. She was off to night Mass with her Pop Pop.

When my daughter returned from Mass, you could sense the Holy Spirit; she talked excessively about this Mass. My daughter told me every detail, including everyone who was present at the Mass, from her uncle, cousins, a teacher and even friends. 

In addition, she told me about the homily the priest preached about “Catholics of conviction” (who never miss Mass) versus “Holiday Catholics” (who do not attend church or only come during the holidays such as Christmas and Easter).

For only being 7 years of age, she proudly stated, “I belong to the ‘Catholics of conviction.’” 

Ultimately, she exclaimed “Sunday night Mass rocks!” As a matter of fact, she loved it so much that she asked to continue to attend Sunday night Mass.

It touched me how this child of God’s sense of faith and Holy Spirit was renewed from such a simple change of routine in her ritual of faith. 

Food for thought – if you have a child who seems bored with the same weekly ritual of Mass at the same time, it may help renew their spirit to bring them to a different Mass. 

Humans are creatures of habit, especially children. However, when we venture outside of our comfort zone, it gives us a different perspective on life. This perspective renews the Holy Spirit in all of us. 

Do you have a story to share of how your child or your family was renewed in the Holy Spirit?     

Let us pray: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Kristy grew up in Meraux, where she still resides with her family. She graduated from Our Lady of Holy Cross College with a bachelor of science degree in nursing; Loyola University New Orleans with a master of science in nursing; and University of Holy Cross with a doctor of education in executive leadership. She has practiced as a registered nurse and a family nurse practitioner with a concentration in adult health. With Katrina, God led her down another path, and she discovered her passion and embarked on the path of nursing education. Since then to present day, she serves full time as a nursing faculty member at the University of Holy Cross. Kristy’s husband serves the country in the United States Army. They have two young daughters and one young-at-heart papa. Her family is blessed to be part of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church family in Chalmette. Kristy’s favorite things to do with her family are to pray together and to experience new adventures.

Please send comments to [email protected]. Visit the blog featuring three new posts a week at www.nolacatholicparenting.org