I do tend to be protective of my kids, and as many a Mom will tell you, the youngest tends to get the most protection, but I was a little disappointed today when the priest did not acknowledge my son's first time as altar server at the end of Mass. Granted, it was a visiting priest but he was no stranger to the parish and knew our tradition of doing so. If I know it is the first time for a server, I make a point of reminding the priest at the end of Mass so he can say something. Unfortunately, today I was situated on the far end of the Sanctuary, over by the ambo, since I was Lector and would have had to stage whisper across the altar.
And here is why it's important, Father - where do you think vocations start? Taking the time for the junior ministers to get a little public pat on the back may well nourish a seed of thought that they would like to enter the religious life. Especially since it is usually the girls who show up when they are scheduled to serve Mass . . . all too often I have heard parents make an excuse like, "Well, he's got Little League on Sundays." No wonder we have a priest shortage! Fortunately, Patrick is excited about being an altar server and my husband and I made sure he knew that we were inordinately proud of him for doing such a good job for his first time . . . and he did do a good job. A little hesitant, but he did not make any mistakes, even though the candle that he had to handle is actually pretty heavy for him.
At least there were a number of regular parishioners who attend that particular Mass who saw Patrick and came up to him afterward to tell him he did a good job. I just think that if a boy gets a public nod of approval from the presider, he is more likely to consider donning the Roman collar later on in life. Maybe that is why the boys do not show up - unnoticed service makes it a "girl's job."
Monday, August 09, 2010
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7 comments:
He is just so cute!
This is a sore spot for me. Make altar serving a boys-only club again and the boys will rise to the challenge and you'll get your vocations.
How can the priest talk up the priesthood in the sacristy when he's got a bunch of girls in there? My son told me the way the men act when there are women in the sacristy is completely different when it's just the guys.
Good job Patrick!
With all due respect I have to disagree with your point. Part of the problem with vocations is the lack of sacrifice. Is your son serving because he wants to serve the Lord, or for kudos for doing a good job serving. This is truley a catechitical moment for you and your son, especially if he did not receive any "public recognition" for his serving. If he is serving for love of Christ, "public recognition" is not only unnecessary, but counter productive. The lack of vocations has nothing to due "public pats on the back." Want him to identify with the priest, get rid of the uni-sex albs and put the boys back in a cassock and surplus. Have boys serve with boys and girls with girls, although bringing back all male servers is an excellant idea.
God Bless. Kim
And, with all due respect, I must disagree with you, Kim. Completely selfless sacrifice without some recognition is counterproductive to that same behavior being sustained over time, hence why Communism remains a political thought that cannot exist in reality.
We regularly reward children for doing good, in part because they are still maturing in their values. When your child does a wrong, you correct him, yes? Likewise, if he or she comes home with a very good grade, do you withhold praise because the grade is expected of him? Chances are, if you did, the second good grade would not be forthcoming. You could tell him that good grades have rewards later on (see, that carrot is still there) but at a certain age, children simply cannot fully grasp that far in advance.
You ask, "Is your son serving because he wants to serve the Lord, or for kudos for doing a good job serving?" Do you really expect a nine-year-old to have those two things mutually exclusive? It's a little of both, with a dash of excitement at having reached a milestone - being old enough to serve - and the excitement of meeting that challenge. And acknowledging that milestone - or others, like 1st Communion or a Bar Mitzvah - gives a child the impetus to continue. And in continuing to serve Mass, who knows where my son's sense of service, as he matures into adulthood, can lead him?
Kim and Kathy, why would you deny girls serving at Mass. Do you really think Jesus gives a flip which gender hands the priest the cruet? I don't.
Patrick, You are a great boy, and you know that God is pleased with all you do so long as it is for His glory....your parents said you did a great job, and I'm sure you did...but in the end, all that matters is your love for the Lord...I'm glad you can show it by participating in a special way at Mass. That is all! <3
RRRN
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