Children's Liturgy of the Word

Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered the first Sunday of the month at the 11:00am Mass.

What is the Children's Liturgy of the Word? It is a liturgy designed to accommodate them at their age and maturity level. During the selected weekend Mass children in grades PreK-2 are invited to a special Liturgy of the Word, complete with a homily geared to them. Children’s Liturgy of the Word follows the same format as the Liturgy of the Word in the Mass. There is no registration. No attendance is taken. Children may attend whenever they attend the selected CLW Mass.
What exactly do they do? The children gather with their catechist in the front of the altar after the Opening Prayer and are sent forth by the presider. They process to the Church Cry Room. The children hear the scripture reading of the day as the rest of the assembly hears the readings and homily in the Church. After a brief Welcome and Opening Prayer, they listen to the First Reading proclaimed from the Children’s Lectionary. They are then led in singing a Psalm and Gospel Acclamation. Next, the Gospel is proclaimed by the catechist.  An age-appropriate reflection on the Word is shared by the catechist through stories, discussions, or pictures. Following this, the children profess a simple Act of Faith, pray their Prayers of Intercession, and then return to their families at the time of the Presentation of the Gifts. Adults are needed to assist with this liturgy.

If interested, please contact Helene Stever, Director of Faith Formation, at [email protected]/ 301.937.7183 ext. 418