How to involve children

Church mice will be sneaking into this year's Spring Enrichment.

"Church Mice" is the title of one of several programs at Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Latham focused on "breaking open the Word" for young children -- the "mice" in question.

While "Church Mice" is generally for preschoolers, the parish also has a program called "Rainbows" for kindergartners and first-graders, as well as a children's liturgy for older kids.

For children

All three programs will be discussed by their organizers, Sharon Paluch, Kathleen Hundt and Ann Edwards, in order to help other parishes interested in sponsoring similar ministries.

Mrs. Paluch said, "We've gotten a wonderful response. At age three and up, they can start to understand Bible stories -- and it's amazing to see three-year-olds say the 'Our Father' or 'Hail Mary.' Of course, we make it fun!"

Church Mice and Rainbows, which take place at Masses between the opening prayer and Offertory, include prayers and songs with hand motions for kids to learn; Old and New Testament Bible stories that are either acted out, read from storybooks or displayed on "flannel boards"; and a weekly craft associated with the Bible.

The children's liturgy, targeted at kids able to sit through a more formal presentation, includes one Scripture reading in addition to the Gospel, discussions on the Gospel, songs and a Prayer of the Faithful where kids can offer their own intercessions.

Ideas for others

At Spring Enrichment, the three presenters plan to explain the programs in-depth and get participants to try some of the songs themselves.

Mrs. Paluch, who has four young children herself, told The Evangelist that the kids' programs have been a boon to her parish.

"By the fifth or sixth grade, the older kids start helping out the younger ones," she explained. "We're seeing a lot more involvement from the youth than in the past -- the fruition of those first years."

Kids who have attended Church Mice, Rainbows and the children's liturgy tend to become altar servers, join the music ministry and generally stay active in the parish, she said: "It sets the groundwork for involvement in community."

(For more information on Spring Enrichment, including a program brochure and registration form, click here.)

(4/27/06) [[In-content Ad]]