Young families are always welcome at our churches, and we understand that little ones cannot always keep quiet or sit still. Please do not let this put you off from coming to Mass! All we would ask is that you ensure your children are supervised at all times and that you are sensitive to other families and parishioners, who will then be happy to support you in any way they can. You will find us to be a friendly community! Please speak to a steward at the back of church who will always be ready to assist and reassure you.
Children's Mass Sheets
We have Sunday Mass sheets for the children, and stewards will be happy to help you find these. Called "Look" and published by Redemptorist Publications, they take the theme of the day's Gospel and include simple questions, word searches etc, and colouring activities. Colouring materials are available at the back of the churches, and we would always be grateful if these can be returned tidily after Mass!
Sacramental Programmes
Please look out for announcements (usually straight after the summer) to say when the various Sacramental Programmes will begin each year. Children who on such programmes (First Holy Communion or Junior Reception) are invited to sit together near the front of the Churches, where Cathechists will guide them to a deeper understanding of the Mass. From there they can engage more fully in the homilies and, from about Eastertime, they will be invited to gather round the Altar for the Eucharistic Prayer. If your child is not comfortable joining the group, then please sit well forward with them yourself so that they do not miss out - but more will be said about this when you attend programme launch meetings.
Children's Liturgy
During the 11.15am Mass at Holy Cross we normally hold a "Children's Liturgy" where younger children can listen to the Gospel of the day adapted to their age, and engage in practical activities to bring the Word of God alive for them. "Father Ted" (see right) always goes with them! Children are invited to go with their leaders (who are fully DBS checked) into the parish meeting room just after Mass begins in church, and they come back after the Bidding Prayers of the Mass and present something of their work to the congregation, before returning to their families.
Time Out
At the back of both churches we have children's books and quiet toys which you are welcome to borrow for your child. At St Mary's, there is also an area of the foyer set up with children's tables and chairs. We would ask, please, that you supervise your children at all times and, once they have had the opportunity to settle after a little time out, you might like to bring them back into the main part of the church so that little by little they get used to the Mass. They will usually enjoy being a part of the "Sign of Peace" and then being brought forward for a blessing at Holy Communion time. Once again, don't worry if they make a little noise - we are all used to it! If you feel they are getting too restless or distressed, the (heated) foyer at either church can be used to give you the space to calm them gently, but please accompany them at all times as this is not the role of the stewards.
Toilets
We have modern, clean and accessible toilets at both churches, including baby-change facilities, but please be aware that these are near to the main exit doors, so for safeguarding reasons children must always be supervised to and from the toilet. Again, such supervision is not the role of our stewards. It is worth noting too that there is only one toilet at each church and our congregations can be quite large - so it is always best if you can ensure your children have been to the toilet before coming to Mass, then they will be less likely to need these facilities - but when you do need them it's always good for you to know that they are there.