Behaviour in Church

After attending the FEP course and doing our action plan, we decided that we would stop bringing so many things to distract Clare in church during mass as we realised that it is a vicious cycle. We found ourselves bringing more items as the weeks go by as Clare seemed to be bored by the things at a faster rate than the previous week.

Today is the third weekend that we only brought one Bible board book for her and we are beginning to see progress. We tried to get her involved in mass. Clare loves to see the procession into church as the entrance hymn is being sung. She gets very excited when she sees the two lamps and crucifix being carried high up. During the readings and the homily, we would give her the church bulletin and her Bible book to keep her entertained. As and when she is bored, we will ask her where Jesus (the Crucifix) is and get her to wave her hands to say Hi to Jesus. =)

Clare's favourite part of mass is the Rite of Communium. She loves the bells being shaken when the Host and Wine is lifted up when the priest. She will also bow when she sees us doing it. We also taught her how to lift up her two arms during Our Father prayer and to shake our hands during the Sign of the Peace.

We are happy to see her getting more and more involved as the weeks go by. But I think the real challenge will come when she wants to walk around when mass is going on. Have to ask Joan how they cope with Ju during this phase.

Oh yes, Clare gave a few loud exclamations when she got excited during Mass today. But we have learnt to be more thick-skinned. As long as she is not disruptive, we will try to keep her in Church throughout Mass. After mass, this lady who was sitting somewhere near us came to say hi to Clare and told us that she was not naughty despite the noise she was making. Hee... We felt so comforted to know that there are people who are so tolerant and patient with us parents with young children. =)

Here is a picture of Clare at her favourite spot in church and a picure of her taken with Father Stephen Yim who will always bless her and carry her after mass. =)