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Children’s
Liturgy
Of the word
[Jesus said], “Let the children come to me; do not
prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” ...Then
He embraced [the children] and blessed them, placing His hands on them.
(Mark
10:14,16)
In recent years, more and more
parishes have established a Children’s
Liturgy of the Word program at one or
more weekend Masses. It’s popularity is most certainly based on the
results: children emerge from even a few sessions with a greater
understanding of the Sunday readings, and also of the Mass and their faith
as a whole!
During the school year here at St. Bernadette’s, our own
Children’s Liturgy program is active at the 9
a.m. Mass every Sunday. If you’ve been to this Mass during the
school year, you’ve probably seen the children being dismissed with a
pair of catechists just before the first reading; but you may not know
where they go, or exactly what it is that they do before they return (just
before offertory).
Any
children from age 4 up to the 3rd grade is
welcome to come up to the sanctuary when the Children’s Liturgy is
announced. The catechists then lead them to a prepared room just behind
the sacristy, where they hear the Sunday readings read from a special
children’s lectionary, which is designed to help them understand the
readings better. The adult catechists then have time to accept questions
form the children as to what they might not have understood, or to ask
questions of their own to help the children listen closely! The children
also recite the creed and receive special ‘worship bulletins’ with
activities they can do at home. Afterwards, they return to the assembly
for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It’s a valuable source of learning for
both children and catechists, and a also great fun on both sides!
Interested in helping out?
Do you think YOU
might want to know a little more about the CLW program here at St.
Bernadette’s, or that you might want to try being an assistant or even a
catechist? All of our catechists are volunteers and many are parents in
their own right. The ’work’ is easy and the rewards are many! If
you’d like to give it a try, give us a call anytime— (708)
425-7697!
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