In regard to church, each of us should strive for good "Mass Manners," and parents especially should make sure they are teaching their children good Mass Manners.  Manners, whether at Mass or in other situations, reveal the value we place on each other and God. 
 

1. Prepare for Mass. Before leaving home, make sure you go to the bathroom. People going in and out of the pews during Mass for the bathroom are distracting. Granted, there are legitimate reasons for having to use the bathroom during Mass. However it should not become a routine to go to the bathroom during the homily, and get a drink of water during Communion.

2. Fast before Mass. It is Church law that one fasts for at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Water and medicine can be consumed, of course  The purpose is to help us to prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. 

3. Dress modestly and appropriately. Wear your Sunday Best. As Catholics we believe that God comes down to meet us at every Mass. So, why would we not dress up? We should be neat, clean, and properly clothed.  (Shorts, T-shirts, spandex, tights and halter tops are not appropriate attire to greet our Lord)

4. Show up at least 5 to 10 minutes early. Doing so allows everyone to have a few moments for prayer and to be ready to participate in the Mass. Granted, circumstances arise which will delay a family.  If for some reason you can’t be on time, then try to sit in the back so you don’t disturb others.

5. No Food and Drink in Church. The exceptions would be a bottle for a baby, water for the priest or choir (if discreet) and water for those who are ill. Bringing a snack into church is not appropriate, because we want to set the church apart as a place of prayer and reflection.

6. Cell phones and pagers should never be used in Mass for calls or texting.  Everyone not only can give some undivided attention to God, but also spare everyone else the distraction of a phone ringing or a pager sounding during Mass.  If you’re anticipating an emergency phone call, shut your ringer off; and do not answer the call until you are outside of church. 

7. Men take your hats off. It is impolite to wear a hat into a church for a man. While this is a cultural norm, it is one that we ought to follow closely. It is a sign of respect.

8. Don’t chew gum in Church. When arriving at church, discard any gum in a proper container.  Don’t stick the gum underneath the pew.  Chewing gum breaks your fast, it’s distracting, it is consider impolite in a formal setting, and it doesn’t help us pray better. If your chewing gum, you can’t receive Holy Communion.  Can you imagine the Pope popping gum during Mass?

9. Cross yourself with Holy Water on entering and leaving the church. This is a reminder of our Baptism, which made us members of Christ’s Church and disciples. Make the sign of the cross – In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen

10. When we enter and leave Church, genuflect at your pew, toward the Tabernacle.  There is a red lamp always burning near the tabernacle – it is a sign saying, “Christ is here in the Holy Eucharist within this tabernacle. His heart is burning with love for you.”   It is an important act of reverence to the presence of our Lord in the holy Eucharist in the tabernacle. By allowing our right knee to hit the floor, we acknowledge He is our Lord and God. If someone is physically unable to genuflect, then a bow is sufficient. During Mass, if you pass in front of the altar or tabernacle, bow reverently.

11. Don’t sit on the end of the pew if you sit down before others. Rather, sit in the middle so others don’t have to climb over you. Gentlemen should offer their seats to any lady (elderly, disabled, etc) who must stand when the church is overcrowded. 

12. Please be quiet while in church. Once you enter the sanctuary – it is not the time or place to visit with those around you. If you must talk do so as quietly and briefly as possible. Remember that your conversation might be disturbing to someone who is in prayer, which is much more important. Sssshhhhhhhh.

13. Parents need to supervise their children. Jesus loves and welcomes children, but they do need our help.   Sit on the end of a pew, if you can, so if a child is fussy or loud, the parent can quickly take the child to the vestibule or outside and let the child calm down before returning.  Don’t wait too long before you make a move. There is no reason to be embarrassed about having to quiet your child in the back of the church. Children should not be allowed to rattle keys, drop toys, kick the pews or run in the aisles. These behaviors are distracting to the other people and especially to a priest who is trying to give a homily. Parents need to use good judgment and discipline with the little ones.

14. Participate when Worshiping. Participate in the songs and prayers, follow the readings and listen attentively to the homily.  Parents should help their children follow the readings in the Missal so their children could be more attentive. In all, everyone should joyfully and reverently participate in the Mass.

15. No bulletin reading during Mass. Imagine if you invited a guest to your house and before dinner (or during) they decided to read a magazine instead of talking to you. That is what is happening in God’s house when you read the bulletin.

16. Respect Boundaries others may have. You might want to hold hands to pray, others may not. They might be sick and not want to shake hands during the sign of peace. These are all OK. Do not make any unnecessary judgment because they worship differently.

17. Walking to and from receiving Holy Communion. Walk with your hands folded in prayer 

18. Bow before receiving Holy Communion.  Show your respect to God, with a bow of the head.

19. Receive Holy Communion reverently. We should be very conscious that we are receiving our Lord. If receiving on the hand, the hands must be clean and held like a throne for the Lord. After receiving, one should consume the Sacred Host before turning around to go back to the pew.

20. Do not receive from the chalice if you are sick. This is an act of charity and it is not necessary to receive in order to receive the entirety of Jesus’ body, blood, soul, and divinity.

21. Do not leave early. After Communion, each person must give thanks for the precious gift received and allow the grace to fill our souls. To give the Lord one hour — and usually less — for the holy sacrifice of the Mass is really not much of a sacrifice.  How would you feel if someone left your home in the middle of the meal without even saying thank you?

22. Let the Priest lead you in the final Procession. After the Mass is concluded with the blessing, wait until the priest has proceeded down the aisle before leaving the pew. The congregation should disperse only after the recessional hymn has concluded. However, before leaving the pew, be sure to put the hymnal back in its holder and pick up used tissues, bulletins, or other items; otherwise, someone else has to attend to them.   Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

23. Pray after Mass if you feel called to do so. It is a good custom, though not required, to offer a prayer of thanksgiving after Mass is over. 

24. Leave quietly. We encourage you to visit with others, but once you are outside of the main sanctuary of the church so you won’t disturb others who want to stay and pray. So, please leave quietly and then have the visit afterward.