Catholic Mothers

Hi tehhalia, not sure if you'll read this thread. Just wanted to share that I am also in the same situation as you. Married in church but my hub is not a Catholic. My boy is turning 1 year soon as I'm getting him baptised in a couple of weeks time. I also worry about nuturing my boy in the faith when I have not been a practising Catholic.
 


mattsmummy,

i apologise first if i sound harsh.

I don't understand your worry. You said that you have not been a practising Catholic. So why do you worry about bringing up your son following the faith? it didn't bother you that you are not practising the faith already, so how is that for your son?

If you are not practising, then practically speaking, and realistically speaking, i think it will be very difficult to bring a child up in a Catholic fashion. Because the child's best teacher is his/her own parents. No amount of cathechism classes will do. And godparents can't help much either. If you don't practise the faith actively, how do you think your son will learn to live his life as a Catholic?

And as for the child's baptism, it is not a ceremony to make the child a member of the church. It is an OUTRIGHT expression of YOUR commitment as a parent to bring him up as a Catholic child.

From how i view it, it might be better for your son not being half-baked and half-nurtured. Unless of course if you yourself make a very strong commitment, and stick to it (!!), to start practising your Catholic faith.
 
Hi nellu,

I guess a 3rd party will not able to comprehend and speak fairly without understanding the full situation. Contrary to what you said, I am bothered by the fact that I have not been practising my faith. I have my share of issues such as having a non-Catholic spouse who's not all that eager in attending church and praying with me. This has been my on-going concern since we married but at least he does not object to having our boy baptised in the faith. Of course when I made the decision to have my son baptised, I will also do my best to nuture him whether on my own or through the help of my family.

The original intention of my post was to share with mummies who are also struggling in same situations like myself to to tell them that they are not alone.
 
hi mattsmummy,

yes of course a 3rd party like me would not be able to understand or speak fairly. Hence my apology right from the beginning. And again my apology here.

I agree that being in a mixed-faith marriage is challenging. In any case, which marriage isn't?

Is there anyway that you can speak to your husband to get him to better understand things? He does not have to go with you if he is not keen. But i sure hope he'll let you go to church at least. It will be very sad if he doesn't. You know, you have religious freedom in Singapore...
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I'm sure your husband will understand that going to church and practising your faith will not make you a bad wife. It will only make you a better person.
 
Hi mattsmummy - My family is Catholic but HB is not. However, my son has been baptised and his God-parents are close Catholic friends

I attend Church with my son, say grace with him, his nite prayers, read him Bible stories. I intend to start him on Cathecism classes when he is able to understand better.

Leave it in God's hnds & not worry too much
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Hi Sysac, thanks for your words of encouragement. That's exactly what I intend to do, to bring my son to church on my own and teach him how to pray with me. I have being singing him gospel songs since he was a baby and hopefully that was a good start
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Mattsmummy - Yeah, That's the committment we made before we got married. My HB, though not Catholic, does not interefere with my Catholic practices.

When we were plng to get married, he did ask abt attending RCIA because he thot it was compulsory in order to marry me. However, I told him not to unless he believed in the faith. I see no point in him converting for the sake of converting but wld rather he become a Catholic because of God's calling.

So now, we only pray that God wld touch him for him to become one. I have a friend whose HB told her he wanted to convert aft they were married for 10 years! So let's have hope that GOD wld touch the hearts f our HBs.
 
hi sysac,

your hubby was nice to ask abt attending RCIA!
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I know of many who would not. one of my hubby's friend married a Catholic as well. They've been married for many years now, but never once did he ever show any interest in getting to know the faith better. He would only go with his wife for mass and be the babysitter for his daughter while there.

btw, do you know that your hubby can attend RCIA and not get baptised? If your hubby is keen again, do encourage him as RCIA will help him to understand our faith better, and even understand you better
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I know someone who attended RCIA in order to understand his wife's faith better. In the end, he decided to get baptised himself. I guess he was touched by God and also by the kind of community spirit that he saw and experienced within the parish. After that, he became a sponsor at RCIA himself and has been very active in various church ministries up till today.

Mattsmummy,

i think that's a good start. Do make going for mass once a week a routine for your son. He'll grow to love it.

btw, if your parish has any children's liturgy programme, you may consider letting you son participate as soon as he is old enough to do so. That will make church going more fun and meaningful for him.
 
Hi nellu,

Yes, it was a nice gesture & I am aware that he need not be baptised. But I am the type who needs the full works. I rather he be baptised if he attends RCIA. Makes it feel more complete for me
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That's why I had a full Mass for my wedding. Understand that aft 2004, couples cld not have a full Mass if one party was a non-Catholic. They wld have a Blessing ceremony instead.

Mattsmummy - Which Church do u plan/am attending?
 
Hi Mattsmummy it's always a good start if you're showing the initiative to make an effort to practise your faith. There is something which my parish priest often say to parents 'You can't give something to your child which you haven't got yourself.' As long as you are actively practising your faith, show a love and enthusiasm for it, your child will automatically follow your good example so you needn't worry too much about nurturing your son in the faith after baptism. Nurture yours first and God will do the rest.
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God Bless!
 
Hi all, how come this thread is "dead"?
I am not a catholic, my husband and son are.
Son is coming 15 month this Oct. Was baptised in St Anne's.
Though I am not a catholic, I always attend Sun mass with husband and son, and my son and I say "Our Father" together every night before sleeping. I sing "Our Father" too as his bedtime lullaby, keke.
I am looking for more ways to introduce Catholic Faith to my son (though he's only 15 month).
Can't find any catholic based playgroup for him at this age, any mummies forming any around sengkang or punggol area?
 
Hi myboyjovan,

It's great and heartening to know that you play an active role in cultivating your son's faith and bringing him up in a positive environment. I am not a mom yet but I have a god daughter who is coming 4 this nov. I believe that children learn by imitation and having good role models around them is very important. At the age where your son is, they are very good at observing and learning. Why not get some VCDs/DVDs on hymns for children and stories about the faith (such as those that tells the story of the Holy Family and about our Lady)? That is a good way to start. Another way is to slowly introduce him to the various parts of the Mass BEFORE you and your husband bring him to church. This way, he can look out for things that you've already mentioned at home about Mass. This may seem too "chim" for him now but believe me, they do understand though they may be easily distracted. As your son gets older, about 2ish-3, you can then start telling him more in depth about Mass and what each part means. All these materials can be easily bought at Novena Church bookstore. I've seen and bought them from there for my god daughter. In fact, through all these activities, we learn too
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Just make sure to buy those that are related to the Catholic Faith as there are differences in the bible passages b/t the catholic faith and other denominations. I do have a few websites that are in the States which offer good catholic media resources for children. Let me know if you want them. You can order and get them sent over via Vpost (www.vpost.com.sg)

Also, do check out the play group at St. Anne's. It's accredited by MOE and has similar prog/syllabus as Kinderland but half the cost. Another suggestion is to chat with the priest casually about parents with little kids in the area who may have an informal get together at times.
 
Hi ocean_blue, thanks for your reply!
Yes, I have been searching for catholic materials to teach at home. But can't find any appropriate vcds. Got lots of books on catholic faith to read to my son but he is not keen to listen now. where to get the vcds you mentioned?
also, during church, he always gets impatient and irritated. can't attend mass properly.
st anne's playgroup is for 3 years old onwards right?
looking for one that is for around his age lei. any suggestions?
catholic kindergarten is it good?
no web site lei.
 
You're most welcomed, myboyjovan
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As I am preparing to go out now, let me get back to you either tonight or tmr. I will provide u with more resources. In the meantime, take care. God bless!
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Hi myboyjovan,

Sorry for the late reply.

Some sites that you may peruse are: http://www.catholicshopper.com/justforkids/

www.catholicmom.com (From here, I found these 2 which I find interesting and worth getting: http://www.catholicmom.com/video_holybaby2.htm and http://www.catholicmom.com/videohb.htm)

I personally find the catholicmom website very informative especially under the tab "Fun->Videos" and "Music"

Another site that you or any of the moms here will be interested in maybe this: http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/tags/toddlers

I strongly encourage you to visit the Novena church bookstore. They have media resources meant for children and the family. You will likely be able to get some for your child and yourself. Have fun!
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Hi ocean_ blue,

Thanks very much for the resources!

Think I am not doing enuf to cultivate my boys' faith :p Good to see mummies like yourself and myboyjovan here to inspire us
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There is a series of bible songs, sunday school songs DVDs which I would like to recommend. It's from the Cedarmont kids, available from the Media Centre at Church of the Risen Christ. I got my copy from one of the sprees here. My 2YO enjoys the songs very much.

Hi myboyjovan,

Think St. Anne has weekly children's liturgy during one of the masses? That is quite good for kids esp those who can't sit thru mass.

Do keep the sharing coming. Blessed weekend!
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hi ocean_blue, thanks for the info!
So many to choose from, now i am stuck...
bin, urm, may i ask what is children's liturgy?
sorry, me not catholic lei. anyone can join?
will my son be too young? he is only 15 months. keke.
 
Hi bin and myboyjovan, you ladies are most welcomed
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Just glad to be able to assist.

myboyjovan, children's liturgy is when the kids are brought out of the chapel to a room/venue within the church compound, before the Gospel is proclaimed, to learn abt the Gospel reading for that sunday's mass or anything to do with sharing abt our Faith with them. This is usually done via some activities such as drawing, colouring, story telling, singing, etc. All children are welcomed to join. For children who are too young to attend on their own, 1 of the parents is allowed to be with them. But, I don't think it's available for all masses. Do check with the parish directly. Your son maybe too young for some activities but it's never too early to start esp on matters of our Faith
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What do u want to know abt catholic kindergartens such as the one at St. Anne's? I know that most (I said most as I am not sure if ALL of them are) catholic playgroups and kindergartens are accredited by MOE meaning their syllabus are approved. The one at St. Anne's is accredited by MOE and actually has similar prog/syllabus as Kinderland (and some other well-known names) but half the cost. Imptly, catholic kindergartens have an added value and that is they teach our kids about our Faith, prayers, etc. It's the same reason why we would try our very best to put our children in Catholic schools. Do teach your son the Hail Mary, if you could. That is a key prayer that all Catholics should know. GOd bless!
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oh, i see. i have always seen children gathering at churches during mass but din realise that is children's liturgy.
will check it out soon.
that time when i joined the rcia think heard before. keke

actually i wanted to know about this particular school called catholic kindergarten at kovan road. cos i think st anne's only for min 3 years of age lei.

i certainly want to place my son in a catholic playgroup cos i am towards completion of montessori teaching diploma so montessori education wise, i can do it myself but faith wise, i am not as equipped.
i am not so particular about keeping up with pri 1 syllabus and all actually. keke.

my son knows "our father" and "hail mary". we say together every night. and prayer to guardian angel too. keke.
i am trying to get him learn to do sign of cross himself.

anyway, thanks for all the help.
can't wait to start his faith education.
 
Hi all,
Which churches have children's liturgy? I've been living overseas, and coming back for a holiday for 4 weeks. My son (2.5years) has been used to going for children's liturgy in our parish here. The last time I came back to Sg, he was really quite hyper, and I think it might not go down well in the Sg congregation, so would like to go somewhere with a children's liturgy/mass, or a room at the back where the kids can go.

BTW, I live in Punggol.
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Just skimming through the kindergarten section - does anyone know anything about the kindergarten at Nativity Church, or indeed any informal playgroups that I can attend with my son? It'll be nice meeting some Catholic mums in Sg.
 
Hi tootsieroll,

St. Anne's would be 1 of your nearest parishes for you. It has Children's liturgy but not sure which masses. Maybe you and myboyjovan can communicate with each other. She stays near your area
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As for playschools, if you are here for 4 weeks, it won't be possible to enroll your kid in 1. Fees are paid by the semester. Unless, they make exception.

Myboyjovan, over to you!
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Ladies,

Children’s Liturgy at:
St. Anne's-conducted during the 11 am Mass on 1st and 3rd Sundays.

Immaculate Heart of Mary (located at Highland Road along Upp Serangoon area; next to the old St. Joseph's Convent)- 2nd & 4th Sundays, 11.00am Mass.
 
Another catholic kindergarten is Maris Stella

Does anyone know if there is children's liturgy at St. Ignatius?
 
Hi ylc,

Taken this from the church's website...hope this helps
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Liturgy of the Word for Children
For children aged 3 - 5 and 6 -10 years, during the Sunday 8.15 am Mass, they are taken to the La
Storta Room or vestry to experience God’s love through the proclamation of the Gospel. They
rejoin the rest of the congregation during the presentation of gifts.
 
Bin,

Thanks so much for the info... hehe think my ger can't attend cus she is only 2.5yrs old... perhaps when she turns 3, we will let her go for the children's liturgy
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She just learnt how to do the sign of the cross and say Amen. hehee still trying to teach her to say grace before meals...
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Hi mummies - can anyone tell me where i can get a chrisening dress for my baby's baptism? Need one urgently. Thanks
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I saw some Christening outfits at the bookshop in Novena Church. Not sure if they still have them as that was last year.
 
Hi Mrs_N, thanks for the info. Would assume that they should be available at most catholic bookstores? Sorry - i am new to Singapore so am clueless abt this
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Hi all, I am not a catholic but would like to find out more. during my entire pregnancy, i've been saying my own prayers and choose to believe in the lord to guide me through my pregnancy and everything have gone on smoothly. Now that i have delivered i feel that i should attend church regularly with my baby. we've been attending church 3 times so far but i'm quite clueless on the proceedings of the mass and what are the significance of many things.

any idea where should i start from to find out more?
 
Hi Novakido,

Perhaps you may like to join the RCIA (Rites for Christian Initiation for Adults) group to find out more about the Catholic faith. All parishes have their own RCIA formation. Check out the church that you're attending so far.
 
Hi All

I'm not sure if this thread still alive. However, I wonder if you bring your children to Sunday school.
 
Hi
Not sure if you still need any baptism gowns. But just for info, you can go to the Maris Stella Kindergarten (along Holland Rd). Within the compound, there is a building where some sisters live. They run a little shop there selling baptism gowns. The sisters sew the clothing themselves. Bought my daughter's gown from there.

RE: RCIA. A good alternative for RCIA would be the ALPHA course. A number of churches conducts them. Its good for non-Catholics, new or even mature ones. The course attempts to answer very fundamental questions.

Cheers
 
I have yet baptise my baby.. sigh. And she's already approaching 6mth old. I'm waiting for a good time that all parties are free..
Just an open question to all mommies here, how old are your baby when you baptise her/him?
 
For all my 4 kids, I did it when they were 3/4 months old. But dont stress yourself up. Theres no hard & fast rule when it should be done.
 
hi,

Just to let catholic Mummies noe that there is a prayer group at various locations for mothers to come and pray together once a wk for an hr. I tink this is very useful for mummies, esp SAHM to seek spiritual strength from God and bond with other catholic mummies. I have yet to go for a session myself but will start soon after i have quit my job. One of the locations i know of is at Lor Low Koon at Morning Star. Interested mummies can PM me, we can attend together.
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Hi Jacquise,
Any link to know more details of this and to see if there's any other location? Can we bring our babies with us?
 
hi, lush velvet
my daughter was abt 6mths when she was baptised, but like denise says, don't be too worried abt being late. also, on the gown for baby, you'd need quick and easy access down the chest so may want to think abt that when shopping.
 
Lush: my boy only got baptised when he's 1yr! waited for my niece...haha...my niece baptise at 1mth together w/ my 1yo boy...
 
Hi Ve and Juliet08,
Thanks for kind words
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I finally queued my girl up for the Sept's baptism.. she'd be nearing 8mth old by then! haha.
Ve, why do you need quick and easy access from chest down? I thought it's just water poured over the head?
 
Hi Lush Velvet,
Im also new to this. There's no site i tink. Can bring babies along... i was so relieved. However this grp is for mothers with children of all ages. I plan to go soon. But im serving notice at wk, so gotta wait till im officially SAHM. I understd ur bb is about 7 mths now, where u staying by the way?
 


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