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Groups - CHILDREN'S LITURGY
Let the little children come to me; do not stop
them;
for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
Mark 10:14
Liturgy of the Word with the
Children
Our Lady Queen of the World Parish is pleased to offer the
Liturgy of the Word with the Children on Sundays at the 10:45
a.m. Mass for the J.K./S.K. – Grade 1 and Grades 2 and
3 children of the parish.
This program was started over a year ago and was so well received
that a decision was made to extend
it to the Grade 2-3 children.
The term “Liturgy of the Word with
the Children” refers to the practice of children leaving
the Sunday assembly during the Liturgy of the Word and gathering
in the Parish Center to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word
at their level of understanding. It is important that we remember
that the Liturgy of the Word with the Children is liturgy,
ritual prayer, and not religious instruction or child minding.
Children are not given activities to keep them busy while
their parents listen to the homily. The Liturgy of the Word
with the Children is ritual centered on carefully breaking
open the Scriptures. In the solemn breaking open of the Word,
an explanation of the readings, appropriate to the children’s
level of understanding, is provided by
a catechist who has met the Parish screening criteria. Although
children are taught the principles of good liturgy (through
gestures and symbols, active participation, discussion, prayer
and dialogue with God),
they still participate in the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy
of the Eucharist, and the Concluding Rites with
the worshipping assembly – only the Liturgy of the Word
is celebrated separately. However, even though this ministry
has been warmly received in our parish, we would like to encourage
parents to send their children at the 10:45 a.m. Mass on Sundays
to participate in this dynamic breaking open of the Word.
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