We are blessed in many ways. One of our greatest blessings is our children. With this blessing comes the duty to teach them their faith. The Children’s Liturgy of the Word program is a beautiful fulfillment of this duty.
The Children’s Liturgy of the Word is provided during the 11:00 a.m. Mass on select Sundays and is designed for children who are toddler aged through about 3rd grade. Presently, we provide the Children’s Liturgy of the Word on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of every month between Labor Day and Memorial Day. During Advent and Lent, the Children’s Liturgy of the Word is provided every Sunday. The Children’s Liturgy the Word is not provided during June, July, and August.
Just before the First Reading, the children are led from the church to classrooms in the school near the sanctuary. An adult volunteer reads adapted Sunday readings and leads a brief and informal discussion about the readings. The children have the opportunity to ask questions and express their own thoughts on God’s Word. This is a powerful way for children to learn. The children also recite an adapted profession of faith and the gathering is closed with a short prayer. The children then rejoin the congregation at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, around the time of the offertory.
Children are divided into two groups: toddler age through 4 years of age and children 5 years of age and older. A parent, guardian, or older sibling must attend with any children younger than 5 years of age. Children 5 years of age and older may attend alone. To participate, just follow the volunteers to the classrooms.
An adult volunteer leads the participants from the sanctuary to the school rooms when dismissed by the presiding priest just prior to the Mass’ Liturgy of the Word. The leaders and participants leave and return to the sanctuary quietly and respectfully, reverencing the Blessed Sacrament by bowing or genuflecting.
"The volunteers do an amazing job presenting the gospel story and Christian values through prayers, songs, stories, and crafts at a level that the children can understand. My children look forward to attending and it is nice to meet other St Bede families with young children."