Religious Education:Children's Liturgy of the Word
What is Children's Liturgy?
Children’s Liturgy is a program that invites children ages 5 to 11 (with the exception that older siblings come to assist the younger children) to leave the larger parish assembly each week to celebrate a concurrent Liturgy of the Word in the rectory meeting space and then to return to the main parish assembly for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The children experience the same readings and rituals as the larger parish assembly but use a special Children’s Lectionary. Children’s Liturgy aims to reproduce the liturgical, prayerful, and ritual based environment of the Mass, with developmentally appropriate readings and homily experiences.
Children enter the church with their families. They participate in the Opening Song, the Introductory Rite, the Penitential Rite, the Gloria and the Opening Prayer. When it is time to begin the Liturgy of the Word, the celebrant or deacon invites the children to participate in the Children’s Liturgy. A Children’s Liturgy volunteer comes forward in front of the altar. The children gather near the volunteer, who leads them to the meeting room, where they experience the Liturgy of the Word.
Weekly Children’s Liturgy is at all Sunday Masses: 7am, 9am, 11:45am & 6pm.
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
Children's Liturgy could not exist without the dedication, commitment and talent of our fabulous volunteers. Thanks to their help, the children in our parish are able to focus on and appreciate the Word of God.
There are basically two types of volunteers: Children’s Liturgy Leaders and Assistants.
- Children’s Liturgy Leaders lead the Liturgy of the Word, teach (and reinforce) appropriate responses, read the Scripture readings, and prepare a homily experience, using material provided by the Faith Formation Office.
- Children’s Liturgy Assistants help the children focus on the Liturgy of the Word and assist in bringing the children to and from the main assembly. Children’s Liturgy Assistants do not need to prepare before Mass and may leave immediately after Mass.
- Volunteering in the Children’s Liturgy program does NOT take a big time commitment. Volunteers sign up on a semester long basis and commit to the number of Masses that fit their schedule and only for the dates that work for them. Children’s Liturgy volunteers are reliable, have a love of children, a passion for God's Word, and receive training prior to working the Children’s Liturgy program.
If this sounds like a ministry for you, please call or email the rectory and speak to the Religious Education coordinator, Crystal Castillo at 808 935-1465