Liturgies help children find God

During 11 a.m. Mass each Sunday at St. Joan of Arc Church in Menands, about 60 children get up from their pews and walk out.

But they're not turning their backs on the Gospel; instead, they attend a children's Liturgy of the Word in the parish's classrooms, listening to Scripture readings and explanations that are geared toward youth.

"The purpose is to be able to help the children understand what the message is for each Sunday," said Sister Marianne Kennah, CSJ, pastoral associate for faith formation.

Only for kids

Many parishes in the Albany Diocese offer a children's Liturgy of the Word on a regular basis; youths leave early in the Mass but return for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Often, these parishes also celebrate special liturgies in which children participate as greeters, ushers and readers.

Youth ministers and religious education coordinators agree that such liturgies help young people to find the meaning of Scripture and apply what they learn in church to their daily lives.

At St. Francis de Sales Church in Loudonville, kids head to the chapel during 9:30 a.m. Mass to hear Scripture readings taken from the Children's Lectionary. Puppets and games also are used to help get the message across, according to Theresa Foley, children's liturgy coordinator.

Geared to kids

About 30 kids between the ages of 4 and 8 usually take part in the children's liturgy each Sunday. By using Scripture readings that are geared toward children, Mrs. Foley hopes that she can teach kids to live according to the Gospel -- not just on Sunday, but every day.

"The readings are telling them to do something once they leave," she said. "It's something they should carry with them all week long."

In addition to the weekly children's liturgy, parish youths serve as readers for Masses during Christmas and Easter. Such liturgical involvement "gives them a religious excitement they didn't know before," Mrs. Foley said.

Planning efforts

At Sacred Heart Church in Philmont, three or four liturgies involving children are celebrated between September and May, the period when religious education courses are offered, according to Doreen Craver, youth liturgy coordinator.

She and her fellow religious ed teachers generally start planning each liturgy about a month beforehand by selecting youths to serve in various liturgical roles. The youngsters also learn songs and rehearse readings that will be used during the 10 a.m. Mass.

Parish youths participate as lectors, ushers and greeters, and bring up the gifts during the offertory; they also write petitions and select music to be played during the Mass.

BY being active in these ministries, youths tend to remain involved in parish life and find special meaning in the Mass. "The more that they do, the more that they want to do, and I think they understand it better," Mrs. Craver said.

Learning

Youths at St. Joan of Arc hear Scripture readings geared toward children during their liturgies, and they complete art projects and other activities to learn about the Gospel.

They also participate in some grown-up activities, Sister Marianne pointed out; for example, they learn about stewardship by taking up a collection that's included with the collection during the 11 a.m. Mass.

The children's Liturgy of the Word gives parish youths an opportunity to have Scripture explained to them in ways that are easy for them to understand.

"We want them to be attentive and to understand what God has given to them in terms that they are able to relate to," Sister Marianne said.

Nourishment

At Our Lady of Mercy Church in Colonie, youths participate in their own Liturgy of the Word during the 10:30 a.m. Mass. They return after hearing the Scripture readings and discussing them from a young person's perspective.

"I think they need the exposure of going to liturgy and being fed the Eucharist as well as the Word," said Irene Rainville, assistant director of faith formation.

On the fourth Sunday of each month, the 10:30 a.m. Mass is a youth liturgy in which young people assume the roles of greeters, ushers and lectors; in addition, they perform skits and presentations designed to bring the Gospel alive for kids.

"They're so amazing. Their spirituality is so beautiful," Mrs. Rainville said. "My hope is that it would become a part of their lives."

(04-02-98)

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