The doormat says, “Welcome Home.” But I’ve come to know it’s wherever I am with Him. It’s not just walls or wooden pews! There’s nothing like the peace of being in His presence.
These words echo a truth that resonates deeply in the hearts of believers: home is not just a place; it’s a presence. And for us as Catholics, that presence is most profoundly encountered in the Eucharist, at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
But what does it mean for our children?
Too often, we hear the sighs or see the glances when a toddler cries or a child fidgets in the pew. Yet Jesus’ words ring louder than any disapproving look: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)
These words are not just a gentle suggestion! They are a divine invitation. Jesus didn’t merely tolerate children; He cherished them. He saw in their innocence, wonder, and trust a reflection of the very heart of the Kingdom of God.
So why do we sometimes forget that the Mass is their home too?
Yes, children wiggle. They whisper. They drop kneelers and ask questions at the “wrong” time. But these are not distractions; they are signs of life. They are the sounds of the Church growing. Every giggle, every curious glance at the altar, every whispered “Amen” is a seed being planted in the soil of faith.
When we bring children to Mass, we are not just fulfilling an obligation; we are forming disciples. We are showing them that this is where we meet Jesus, where His Word and His Body feed us, and where we are truly home.
Imagine a parish where every family walking through the doors with little ones is greeted with a smile instead of a sigh, where parishioners offer a helping hand instead of a harsh glance, where children are not just seen but celebrated.
That kind of welcome doesn’t just make families feel at home; it reflects the very heart of Christ. Parents and catechists alike know that faith is more often caught than taught. When children see us kneeling in reverence, singing with joy, and receiving the Eucharist with awe, they learn. When they are invited to bring up the gifts, light a candle, or sit close and ask questions, they grow. And when they are told, again and again, “You belong here,” they believe it.
So let the welcome mat say, “Welcome Home.” Let the Church echo it in every homily, every hymn, every handshake. Because when we gather at the table of the Lord, young and old, squirmy and still, we are home. And there truly is nothing like being in His presence.
That’s exactly what the Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology Children’s Revival of Participation at Sunday Mass partners are doing, rolling out the welcome mat! Helping parishes and families rediscover the beauty of welcoming children into the heart of the liturgy.
These partner parishes are leading the way:
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church – Cicero, IN
Resurrection Catholic Church – Evansville, IN
All Saints Catholic Church – Knoxville, TN
Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church – Indianapolis, IN
Saint Benedict Cathedral – Evansville, IN
Holy Rosary Catholic Church – Evansville, IN
Holy Spirit Catholic Church – Bowling Green, KY
Saint Patrick Catholic Church – Louisville, KY
Saint Bernard Catholic Church – Clementsville, KY
Sacred Heart Catholic Church – Liberty, KY
Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church – Haubstadt, IN
Holy Spirit Parish at Geist Catholic Church – Fishers, IN
Saint John Paul II Catholic Church – Sellersburg, IN
Saint Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church – Floyds Knobs, IN
Through their creativity, hospitality, and commitment to intergenerational worship, these communities remind us all: children aren’t just the future of the Church, they are the Church, right now. And they belong here.