Children
Would it be all right for
my children to read "Quo Vaids"?
If you mean the novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz, I would certainly agree they would profit from reading it. How ever, I do not think it would be useful for younger children to read it. I suggest that it be read by no one younger than a high school sophomore. Maybe as a parent you should read it first, if you have not yet done so, and then you can judge best at what age your children could read it.
Reprinted November 19, 1999
If
a child in CCD class does not go to Mass on Sundays because his parents will
not take him, may he still receive Holy Communion when there is a CCD Mass?
Catholics are obliged under serious sin attend Mass on every Sunday (or Saturday evening) and on every holy day of obligation. To commit a mortal sin three things are necessary: The matter must be serious or perceived to be serious. There must be full deliberation about the matter and there must be complete freedom of the will in the commission or omission. To receive Holy Communion with an unforgiven mortal sin on one's soul is wicked act, an additional mortal sin of sacrilege. Usually, the moral law begins to bind when a person reaches the "age of reason," which is normally around 7 years of age. No one is bound to the impossible. If a minor child cannot attend Mass when obliged be cause impeded by his parents' action or lack of action, the child is excused from the obligation. Of course, the parents, if they are Catholic, commit additional grave sins of scandal and bad example, and bear the responsibility not only for their own missing Mass but also for their children's doing so. If the parents are just lazy, but do not mind if the children go to Mass without them and distance or other serious obstacles do not intervene, the CCD child should be encouraged to attend Mass on his own. There may be other problems and circumstances involved in such cases, how ever, so it Is always better to discuss these matters with your parish priest.
Reprinted April 30, 1999
My children like to "play Mass" and use candy
for "play Holy Communion." Should I allow them to do this, even
if they use the words of consecration in their play?
If your children are small, I see no harm in this. It may provide you with a few good "catechetical moments" and many fine opportunities to explain the Mass and other points of our religion to them. Keep your eye on them. Make sure that they distinguish play and "make-believe" from reality. Don't let them misunderstand what Holy Communion really is. Maybe there could be some "vocation prospects" among them.
Reprinted April 9, 1999