Sunday, August 19, 2007

Going to Mass in Brisbane

In Palembang, going to Mass with a noisy toddler isn't much of a problem. Almost half the congregation has a baby and most of them are walking them outside to keep the noise level within the church acceptable.

Over here, we go to the same church there I was baptised 31 years ago, St Thomas Aquinas in St Lucia. It has been my favourite parish for over 10 years because of a priest that plans his homilies and delivers them in under 10 mins. He's straight to the point and ALWAYS has a good point to make. Music is also good there.

The problem with the church is that it is extremely quiet. There is no extra noise either outside or inside the church to cover any of Aaron's babbling. He's not making a fuss or crying...just babbling.

We're now attending mass from the foyer of the church....along with several other families with young children. There was a very young baby feeding from a bottle. Aaron tried to ask for a drink from me but I thought that it would be just too much for the people there to handle if they saw me breastfeeding. I have read of mothers doing this in other parishes but I don't think I want to go through the scrutiny of it.

7 comments:

Serina Hope said...

Yep, the babbling in church is a sure sign that you are going to have a serious talker just like mine. I will keep you in my prayers :)

Jean-Luc Picard said...

It would be a major risk to breastfeed in church. The disapproving eyes would catch you!

Bilbo said...

Here in America, many (if not most) churches have some variation on a "young Catholics' club," a separate room with a window looking into the church and a speaker system, so that parents of fussy children can still attend mass without bothering others. I never saw this in Germany, and I don't know how widespread it is in other parts of the world. Perhaps you could start something... Best wishes to you! Bilbo.

NomadicExpat said...

Hee hee, so cute. If you get any disapproving eyes, tell them that Mother Mary breast fed baby Jesus and that's what kept them alive when they were out in the manger. :-P

JUST A MOM said...

Our church,,, back when I was stull going,, before I was going to hell... ANYWAY they had a nursing mommy's room. rockers with stools and all the nice lighting I almost wanted to fake nurse and sit in there.....

Unknown said...

Aaron is still the attention seeker no matter where he goes...;)

Amanda said...

Yes, I didn't really want to deal with any stares while breastfeeding in church. Not a fight I want to pick.

It sounds like there are some very considerate churches in America. After all, the church really needs to encourage young families to continue going.