Do most Catholic churches have a nursery during Mass?

Anonymous
I'll admit it's been a long time since I went (pre-child) but I would like to go this weekend. I am looking on websites for churches in the area and don't see any info about childcare during Mass. I really don't think my toddler would make it through an hour without trying to destroy every missal, climb over pews, etc.

If anyone knows of any specific churches with childcare during Mass, I am looking in the NoVA area.
Anonymous
Most Catholic Churches do not have childcare during mass. They have a crying room separate from the rest of the church where parents and kids too young to sit through service can go.
Anonymous
Where are you located? Nativity in Burke does not have a nursery, but they have a very spacious cry room with a full wall of windows into the sanctuary. There are a lot of young families there. Last week at least, the 11:00 AM Mass had a youth choir and youth ushers.
Anonymous
Its been my impression that catholics believe the whole family should be together non of my friends who are catholics have a nursery at their church. They have crying or glass rooms
Anonymous
Some do have it, but only for the most crowded mass. Our ped told use that church nurseries and gym daycares are the worst for catching something. Just bring some quiet toys and sit on the end so you can walk out if you need to.
Anonymous
And sitting in front is sometimes best with a toddler, that way they can watch what is going on.
Anonymous
Since this area is new to Catholic churches, some were built with crying rooms, OP. Old school catholic churches were not and you are expected to go to the lobby so as to not ruin mass for everyone or discourage the entire congregation from attending next week. Catholics are not selfish, and they don't expect you to be.
Anonymous
WHOAH. Catholic mom here. What is the "Catholics are not selfish" comment about? Hope that wasn't meant as offensively as it came out. OP, there are several churches with crying rooms in NoVA. Two that immediately come to mind are St. Ambrose (Fairfax) and St. John Newmann (Reston). Sorry, I don't know of any that have nurseries (St. John has a children's portion for slightly older children. They leave during mass for instruction and return just before communion.) Hope this helps.
Anonymous
Blessed Sacrament in Alexandria has a wide-open hallway with windows and they have speakers so you can listen to the Mass and also let a toddler walk-around.
Anonymous
Those with nurseries typically run them as a co-op so you'd be expected to take a turn in the future. This is why many of the Catholic Churches in the Arlington Diocese don't have nurseries, not enough participation.
Anonymous
OP here - thanks! I guess I have been at least once or twice since my son is born (not in NoVA though) because I do remember a crying room. He was very small then so it's been a while!

He is into climbing now so I am not even sure quiet toys would distract him. I may try to time it during his mid-day nap if I can.
Anonymous
I've brought snacks, books, coloring books, whatever is in favor. Couldn't pay much attention to Mass at that age w/ my son to take care of.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Since this area is new to Catholic churches, some were built with crying rooms, OP. Old school catholic churches were not and you are expected to go to the lobby so as to not ruin mass for everyone or discourage the entire congregation from attending next week. Catholics are not selfish, and they don't expect you to be.


Maryland has a long history of Catholicism.

From Wikipedia:

Maryland soon became one of the few predominantly Catholic regions among the English colonies in North America. Maryland was also one of the key destinations where the government sent tens of thousands of English convicts punished by sentences of transportation. Such punishment persisted until the Revolutionary War.

The Maryland Toleration Act, issued in 1649, was one of the first laws that explicitly defined tolerance of varieties of Christianity. It has been considered a precursor to the First Amendment.


http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09755b.htm
Anonymous
St. James in Falls Church has a nursery at either the 9 or 10:30 mass. I can't remember which, but it is probably on their Web site.
Anonymous
20:28 - read OPs post. Northern Virginia, NOT Maryland.
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