I got to church about ten minutes early, just like my grandparents taught me. I greeted everyone on my way in and passed the two cry rooms to find an open pew front and center- our weekly routine. But this week I couldn't help but notice a few glares and even an eye roll as I placed the pumpkin seat on the pew and took my ten-month old infant out. We prayed together. I teach her the sign of the cross and she hears my responses with the rest of congregation. She talks out of turns, chews the end of hymnal, and she thinks it's super awesome that her tiny voice echos in the big church. She can be a distraction. I admit that and I know it's hard to focus when my tiny person isn't. But I'm trying to teach her about the faith we share. If I don't do this, she'll never know the sense of community that exists, she won't know the Nicene Creed or the Lord's Prayer, if she can't hear other people saying it. She won't know to genuflect to the Eucharist if she can't see it being done. I know there is a cry room, and if Hannah starts to cry, I'll be the first one to tuck into it. But until then, we'll be front and center- just like my grandparents and my parents taught me. We're raising the next generation of Catholics, bear with us- we're learning to.
