Search
Mass Bags!
-
-
-
Forming Faithful Families Kickoff: Making Mass Bags!Once each year (August or September), Sacred Heart sponsors an event for families in the parish center.
- Each person will get a Mass bag that you can paint and make your own.
- Then we will have tables designated for different age groups. On each table we will have samples for you to look at, touch, and test out with your kids!
- If you determine this would be helpful for Mass, we provide QR codes with the place to purchase, making shopping and filling your Mass bag a breeze!
For those of you who missed our event, you can make your own Mass bag with these canvas bags from Amazon. Then you can use sharpies, paint pens, or acrylic paint with stencils to paint your own design and make it your own!
Each week, Sacred Heart will provide coloring sheets, activity sheets, and Mass pages for you all to use and refill your Mass bags!
-
-
-
For 0-2 year oldsObviously infants can't do much at this stage, but we know how busy toddlers can get!
I think at this stage, hugs and snuggles are a must. Our physical touch is very important in helping to keep our kids regulated and comfortable. For me, Mass time is when all 6 of my kids fight over who gets to sit on/near/beside me!
I also think it's a great time to introduce quiet books that help our babies engage with the Mass. I also respectfully ask not to bring crayons to Mass as we clean up more crayon marks that we'd like each week. Here are some of my favorite books for Mass for this age range:- High Contrast Baby's First High Contrast Baby's First Catholic Book Catholic Book from the Little Rose Shop
- Quiet Mass Book from The Little Rose Shop.
- Where is Jesus? from The Little Rose Shop.
- Check out the bundles on The Little Rose Shop's page
- Look and Learn: Catholic First Words
- Jesus is Here: Lift the flap book
- A Missal for Toddlers
-
-
-
For 3-5 year oldsThis is the age that makes Mass pretty difficult. I recommend having a Mass bag they can ONLY use at Mass. Still keep the cuddles coming if they will stand still long enough! I also respectfully ask not to bring crayons to Mass as we clean up more crayon marks that we'd like each week.
- I HIGHLY recommend this drawing pad. It comes in several colors but it helps my younger kids stay engaged. Each has their own in their own Mass bags or else they will each fight over it! Also, no mess, no stress!
- Books for this age:
- Catholic ABC Book & Catholic 123 Book from the Little Rose Shop
- Check out the bundles on The Little Rose Shop's page
- Jesus is Here: Lift the flap book
- My First Interactive Mass Book from Ascension Press
- Peek-a-Boo Saints from The Little Rose Shop
- Fr. Ben Gets Ready for Mass is one of our faves!
- A Missal for Toddlers
-
-
-
for 5-7 year oldsThis age is when I really see the engagement start to emerge and the questions start. Kids are learning to read at this point, so many books are self-led and involve a new level of engagement. Missals are introduced where they can really follow along.
- I HIGHLY recommend this drawing pad. It comes in several colors but it helps my younger kids stay engaged. Each has their own in their own Mass bags or else they will each fight over it!
- Books I recommend for this age:
- For Kindergarteners and maybe a little earlier, this book is great for starting at Mass but having activities to do later in the day at home. great for homeschool too!
- This Mass coloring book is great and educational! But all the coloring books are great on Holy Heroes!
- Look and Learn: Catholic Words at Mass
- Fr. Ben Gets Ready for Mass is one of our faves!
- This Lego Mass book is big and heavy but my boys LOVED looking through the pictures. It's also an incredible read for older kids and parents who want to understand the Mass better! It reads like a graphic novel, as well.
- The Mass for Children is a missal that helps this age follow along.
- Lastly, this age is old enough to not draw on pews, so I would add some colored pencils so they can color the weekly coloring pages and complete the activity pages Sacred Heart provides each week! Mass Prep Resources we use!
-
-
-
for 8-12 yearsThis age of kids are kids who have most likely had their first communion. I highly recommend asking them to pay attention to the Mass by following along in a missal and having a notebook they can journal along with. Now, Mass Bags should help them set a routine or an appropriate way of engaging with the Mass and preparing to receive Jesus in the Word and Eucharist. If your kid still has a hard time paying attention or sitting still, consider.
- Missal Recommendations:
- The Mass for Children is a missal that helps this age follow along.
- If you would like to subscribe, the Magnifikids is great! You can learn more and request a free sample here.
- A pencil pouch with some quality colored pencils and pens.
- Journaling with a notebook to take notes is a good practice to encourage.
- Coloring has been shown to help busy kids pay better attention. This Mass coloring book is great and educational! But all the coloring books are great on Holy Heroes! For older kids and adults, Lent and Easter and Advent and Christmas Coloring Books would be a good choice.
- Consider downloading this free Mass Page to encourage them to pay attention to the readings and write little summaries or notes.
- Missal Recommendations:
-
-
-
for Middle school, High School, and Adults!By middle and high school, Mass habits are pretty established. For those who have a hard time getting something out of Mass, here are ways that can support and promote engagement.
- Missal Recommendations:
- A pencil pouch with some quality colored pencils and pens.
- Journaling with a notebook to take notes is a good practice to encourage.
- Lent and Easter and Advent and Christmas Coloring Books for any person who loves to color!
- Consider downloading this free Mass Page to better pay attention to the readings and write little summaries or notes.
-
