How to Keep the Lord's Day Holy with Kids
Here is our second step for Teaching Your Kids about the Catholic Faith at Home! If you missed the Introduction, you can find it here.
If you missed Step 1, you can find it here.
One of the most important ways to care for your family spiritually is attending Mass every Sunday as a family. Attending Mass is a crucial component of teaching the faith at home!
Remember that there is so much grace available freely to us in every Mass! Of course, we want our children to experience this too. Not to mention, it is a grave sin not to attend when we know we must.
You still get grace even if:
- You didn’t sleep last night
- The kids are fighting
- One kid lost a shoe
- The lady in front of you gave you a dirty look when your baby cried
- You are so stressed that YOU want to cry
It’s true! Jesus wants to be with YOU and your beautiful little children in any shape, state, or form.
The Biggest Mistake
My mom tried hard to raise us in the faith. She really did. I know it’s because of her example, persistence, and prayers that I am able to now experience this amazingly deep relationship with Christ.
She did, however, make one mistake (in my opinion) that we can learn from.
After my Confirmation, she did not force me to go to Mass. I was already pulling away and trying to get my independence as a…14 year old! What 14 year old (whose faith was already hanging by a thread, frankly) would choose Mass over sleeping in on Sunday?
Mass, in our home, will always be a given, expectation, and a requirement. God willing, my kids will continue to grow in love and devotion for Our Lord when they do leave the nest.
Parents, we cannot stop showing our kids that Mass on Sunday is a non-negotiable. It’s necessary for our souls, our salvation, and to nurture our relationships with Christ.
So Much GRACE!
And, the GRACE! SO MUCH grace.
We don’t want to miss out, and we certainly don’t want our kids to miss out.
So, let’s all vow to:
- Go to Mass as a family every Sunday and every Holy Day of Obligation. The Mass is the highest form of prayer, and we are honoring the 3rd Commandment when we make Mass a priority in our week.
- Make Sunday Mass a non-negotiable in your family, and reserve this day for rest, free of other activities, work, and unnecessary obligations.
- Make Sundays fun and a day for family time! Make a special meal or treat, go on a walk, or visit other family and friends. Pause all work and responsibilities to make Sunday a true day of rest.
Teach your children about Mass before you get there
It is very helpful to talk with your kids about Mass before you attend. ​Teach them about the Last Supper and the Institution of the Eucharist. Teach kids that this was the first Mass!​ Here are my favorite resources for teaching kids about the Mass:
For Littles: ​We love this interactive Mass Missal for ages 3 and up.​ Be sure to read it little by little before Mass so that they are familiar with all of the parts. ​Check out this post for taking little to Mass.​
For Elementary: ​This coloring book from Holy Heroes is excellent.​
For Upper Elementary/Middle School: This ​Holy Mass Lego Book​ is absolutely awesome! We have read through it a few times now, and my kids love it. It’s also written comic book style!
Other Favorite Picture books: There are so many beautiful picture books about the Mass. We love ​The Weight of a Mass​ and ​The Miracle of the Mass.​
​And, this is our favorite Mass Missal.​
Action Step
Go over the different parts of the Mass with your children this week. What questions do the have? Can you find the answers together?