I do remember my dad, snaking his fingers over to mine as I held on to the pew in front of me, and him giving my fingers a playful squeeze without looking at me or changing the expression on his face. It was our little secret. I also remember him never making us feel rushed to get to Mass on time. He always told me, “As long as you are there for the homily, you’re good.” I grew up thinking the homily was the most important part of the Mass. That would make a few priests smile, for sure. It wasn’t until I was a young adult, rediscovering my Catholic faith after a lengthy hiatus, that I learned that the Eucharist was the real reason we were at Mass. As an elementary school C.C.D. student, as it was called back then, my formation consisted almost entirely of memorizing questions and answers in the Baltimore Catechism. I don’t remember lessons about Mass, though I know there were questions and answers about it. I guess those were the answers I never memorized well. Today, our children and those who form them in faith, whether catechists or Catholic school teachers, are fortunate to have resources that are designed to help children more fully understand what they experience as they live their Catholic faith, are written in clear language and are useful to children with various learning styles. RCL Benziger’s My Mass Book, recommended for children ages six to nine, is such a resource where children can take a visual visit to church and learn about the many interesting items there that might have caught their attention when they went to Mass. Children will learn to recognize and understand the purpose of such things as the sanctuary light, the tabernacle, the crucifix, the Paschal Candle, the baptismal font and the various items on the altar. They will learn together the Order of Mass, its prayers, and responses. With delightful illustrations on every page, children learn or review traditional Catholic prayers, the Rosary, an examination of conscience, the sacraments, and begin to understand the liturgical year and the unique colors they see at Mass representing the different liturgical seasons. There is also an on-line, downloadable PDF version of a wonderfully written Parent Guide with an introduction serving more as an encouraging invitation: “Helping children to understand and participate in the Mass is one of the most important tasks of Catholic families. It can also be a challenging task. It is our hope that My Mass Book and this accompanying guide will help. We pray that, as you guide the child in your life to know and love God, you, too, will more deeply recognize that you are a beloved member of God’s family. May the Holy Spirit fill your heart and home with the great love, joy, and peace that flows from our communion with Christ and his Body, the Church.” With the New Year upon us, it would serve our children well to include their spiritual health in our New Year’s resolutions by helping our children, our students, to grow in love and understanding of the Mass.
Mary Regina Morrell, mother of six and grandmother to nine, is a Catholic journalist, author, and syndicated columnist who has served the dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, New Jersey, and RENEW International in the areas of catechesis and communication.