Do you really pay attention to the priest? Or to the cute baby in front of you?

I don't think you have to feel guilty for admiring the babies and children in church. Jesus was always surrounded by children, even when he was giving sermons, you don't think for one minute they were all sitting still and paying attention. I think you would have a bigger problem with God if you had a problem with the children in church, they are his children and he loves them with all of his heart. I wouldn't feel too badly about not being able to pay full attention, at least you were at mass and the message got through to you. There is always a bigger message during mass then just the words coming out of the priest's mouth.

I, too, am a practicing Catholic. With the Novus Ordo Mass, there are always constant interruptions going on during mass, and it really interferes with the purpose of being at Mass in the first place: to pray, worship our creator, and to receive the Eucharist. In the distant past, the ushers--or even the pastor--would approach the interfering problem, and ask them to go to the "crying room" so that it would not disturb the service, and in respect of others in attendance. These days, the crying room is either another storage area or used for some other purpose. All churches had crying rooms at one time so that the little ones would not disturb those who wanted to pray. Now-a-days, reverence and sacredness in God's House has taken a back seat to those who insist that they be able to do as they wish, no matter how much it disturbs the service that's taking place. It's their "right", as they say, to do as they wish, allowing the little ones to cry, play with toys (keys, etc.), eat food, run in the aisles, or whatever. They even say things like "they are God's child, too, and have a right to be here." That may be true to a certain extent, but babies and toddlers have no understanding of what is taking place, and it's the parents who expose the fact that they have little or no control over their children and thus don't care what anyone else thinks. They impose their problems on those who want to pray and show reverence to God Himself. That's the real reason for being there in the first place. There is even a worse problem: those who unworthily take communion, and then spit out the host onto the floor under the pews. They don't realize, or maybe don't believe that the host has become the body of Christ. I have given up on the Novus Ordo mass for these same reasons. What I have turned to is the Latin Mass. Some may have a problem with this Mass, but there is real peace, serenity, and greater room for reverence to God. It's the most beautiful service and makes one feel that they are truly in the presence of our God. The priests are very different during this Mass, too. There is more of a silent but compassionate command for silence and reverence and prayer. The updated version also allows some interaction from the congregants during Mass. It's not really hard to follow it, either, if one is truly in-tune with their faith and has a desire to get more from the Mass than one would experience from the circus atmosphere of the modern Novus Ordo "faithful". If you are having a hard time because of the distraction of a cute baby in front of you, then you are not in-tune with the Mass at all. The focus is taken from our Lord in His house toward one of His creations. Do you want just part of the Mass, or all that it offers? Then say something to your Pastor and/or find another place to sit. Otherwise, check out a Latin Mass. You won't be disappointed.

I think the only time I got terrible distracted by something cute, was when the priest's cats got in the open window! Babies are more likely to distract me if they were crying - I hate crying babies!

I pay attention to the priest although my eyes are wandering everywhere. I see lovers walking by holding hands. I see someone having their make up too much. I see different kinds of family, fat, thin, medium. I see grandmothers and grandfathers with their strong perfumes. i see good looking guys too. If there is a baby, I will see it also. We are not perfect even if we are in church. Even if our ears are listening, sometimes our minds is flying elsewhere. What I do to overcome it, is to look at the priest's face. I will have my concentration if I am seeing someone's face who is the one talking. And if I will just concentrate my eyes on the priest and not around, i will have the blessing of God.

Hi Cecille, as much as possible i tried my best not to get carried away by any distractions inside the church while the mass is going on. but of course a sight of a cute baby always catch my attention. then after some moments, i go back to the attention that i need to give to the priest...to the message of god for the moment. but those walking and running inside the church, just let them be and just ignore it. they are just so comfortable being in the house of god. parents have the responsibility to discipline kids on how to properly behave while inside the church.

The cute altar boys distract me the most! LOL. Hahahaha! But anyway I know what you are talking about. There are always cute babies in church, and they happen to always be in the pew right in front of you! Haha. Funny thing is when their curious eyes stare at you, they then smile, and you smile back. That happens to me often. As much as I want to listen to the homily, a baby would either laugh or cry, distracting not just me but many people there.

Hi cecillecarmela. I have just returned from Sunday mass. I was quite surprised how it was well organised. The story of the prodigal son was re-acted while the priest was reading the gospel. A slide feature in the background helped the people to follow the reading. After the reading was finished a song video was shown on a white screen. The priest homily did not last longer than five minutes. After all the message was already made through the re enactment during the gospel reading and the song helped to deliver the message. The homily was brief and to the point. Yes sometimes I do get distracted when homilies take too long. I think its normal to have short attention span.

me having bad ADD i could NEVER pay attention during church since i havent been much since i became an adult and i wasnt medicated for ADD as a kid.. i would try but something or someone would distract me or something the priest/preacher said would make my mind wander lol.. i think some times really talented/blessed preachers/priests are able to keep your attention when others arent but also the flip side where some cant hold your attention if you were paid money!!

hello there... when i attend our worship services, i always pay attention to the one speaking in front of us and listening well to the message they are imparted to us... i usually try my best not to be distracted with what i see around...oh well what only distracts me sometimes are people sleeping...hehe its a good thing in our church that its not allowed for children to loiter/play inside the church and parents with babies have their own designated place during worship services, actually it is not really encouraged to bring children during worship services...we have different schedule for children worship services...

I also had the same experience of yours. Although I hate to admit it, I don't really focus on the homily given by the priests. I mean, sometimes if the priest is kind of boring, I could hardly have my focus on. I directed my attention to other people instead, such as cute babies in front of me, or people falling asleep during masses, etc. It's not that I don't really care what the priest was talking about, it's just that I am trying to overcome the boredom.

HAha lol, yeah I know they're so distracting, it always happens to me at church. I don't think there's anything to be guilty about, I mean, the point is, I still understood the message of God and I don't excessively get myself distracted anyway. I make cute little faces at the babies every now and then and that's it. Love it to see it whenever they giggle back at me. Next thing I do is look away, only to look back again. LoL. I think it's all about love for His creation so what could be bad with loving such adorable babies.

Ordinarily I would smile and think "Oh, that baby's adorable!" but when it comes to Mass, I've been known to glare at a mother whose baby is crying and she's pretending like nothing's wrong. That's when it gets infuriating. It isn't like these parents don't know that there's a cry room sectioned off for them to take their children, and it isn't as though the priest himself hasn't mentioned it. Parents who willfully ignore these accommodations and exhortations make me want to pull my hair out.

I do listen attentively to the priest but my eyes in the cute baby . Using my sense of hearing and sight heheheh. It is really true that cute babies insinuate your attention because they are angels of God. The most important still u heard what the priest saying at same time winking to the beautiful baby. Most of us our attention will go to the baby specially she respond to our smile and gestures. It is a normal reaction . I'm sure you baby lover too right, like me.

initially, i would like to tell you, that it was my reply of the this sunday or day, and i am replying to this discussion not because of your topic you have choose, just because of your pearl in your ears, it looks pretty cool, either you will be also beautiful and splendid, as far as my knowledge is concerned regarding this discussion, i am always keeping my eyes over this like priest, child or cute baby or anything else, i am always be attentive ................ love you because you bless them all thanx all those parents like yours type of childrens have ......................

There are always distractions! It is one of satan's tools, I think...anything to get us away from God's word. Anyway, that is not saying that cute babys are bad, or tools of satan...don't read anything into what I'm saying. If you can admire with one ear open, go for it. If you really need to pay attention, because today you really need to get closer to God, close your eyes to block out the distractions. Sometimes we look for people we've missed lately, watch the choir, notice someones' weird hair or crazy shoes...there will always be distractions. We just have to try to pay attention when it is really important to listen.

haha =D It's just a form of distraction!! It does not only happen in masses, but everywhere, anywhere.. hehe ^_^ Just like u or your bf/hubby?? Try to listen hard to what each other is talking, when a really hot babe/hunk, walk pass, do we think, we are able to keep off the temptation of not looking?? Even so, we will still try to peep, and lose our focus for that very moment.. hehe ^_^ So when that happens to me, i will just look at the babe, till she disappears, and after which i will be able to concentrate again.. haha =D

Children could really be attention-getters, especially if they display that happy smile at you. No problem there if you smile back. But your ears must focus on the homily. God's words are powerful enough to transcend physical beings. If your are easily distracted by children, try to sit in the front pew.

I think in my case, it depends on the priest of pastor. We used to have one whose sermons were wonderful. He kept them short, and to the point, he made them interesting and punctuated with humor. And he made them valuable. I looked forward to them, I listened to them, and my husband and I discussed them on the way home. I love to look at babies, too, and under the circumstances I think if you do so in a way that gives God credit and adoration for His amazing miracles (which I think babies are), then you are still in the "Sunday" frame of mind. :-)

Hi Cecille! I found your post very funny though it is not a joke, sorry. It also happened to me, many times actually. I was always distracted by the cute creatures around me especially when they are crying because I found them very cute when crying. Also, I was distracted by the lovers who shows affections with each other in front of the crowd. And that annoyed me so much. I felt guilty afterward, because I came to the church to listen to the priest and give glory to god but my mind was in different places.

hi cecille, you know its been a long time i didn't go to the church. (i have 2 cute babies by the way every mother would love ),anyway the reason why i didn't go to church (or maybe, my created reason not to go to church )its because i dont see meaning in bringing children to the church - i was thinking that they may be more of a distraction. because let's face it, they cannot understand yet what the priest is talking out there in front. however, came the second (cute)baby, my intention in NOT going to the church again is extended, because again "they may be a distraction. just recently, i came in close contact with a classmate in HS who now became a priest. i bring those issue of not bring the baby to the church and my inability to go to the church because of them, and he said "you should bring them to the church and celebrate the mass, though they may not understand yet but the practice will be embedded into their subconscious and being so, they will make it a practice as they grow." makes sense... now, as to resisting the cuteness of the baby infront of you, will God knows the intentions of your heart, if you re sincere in being there, but just a bit distracted but again the HEART IS SINCERE, i don't think it's a sin. this happened to me also, but it does not take away my intention of giving my FULL worship and thanksgiving to MY CREATOR. happy myloting cecille take care