Absense from Mass during the readings and homely

[Don_Ross]

Is it permissable to leave the church during the liturgy of the word and still fullfill your Sunday obligation to attend Mass? I ask this in reference to the practice of dismissing children in the first 5 grades accompanied by their lay leaders for a bible study away from the main body of the faithful and then returning after the homily. At what age does the obligation to hear Mass on Sunday take effect?

 

[LilyM]

Is it permissable to leave the church during the liturgy of the word and still fullfill your Sunday obligation to attend Mass? I ask this in reference to the practice of dismissing children in the first 5 grades accompanied by their lay leaders for a bible study away from the main body of the faithful and then returning after the homily. At what age does the obligation to hear Mass on Sunday take effect?

They’re not just doing ‘a bible study’ - they’re hearing and discussing the same Gospel passage that the adults are, so they’re not missing on Liturgy of the Word.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Is it permissable to leave the church during the liturgy of the word and still fullfill your Sunday obligation to attend Mass? I ask this in reference to the practice of dismissing children in the first 5 grades accompanied by their lay leaders for a bible study away from the main body of the faithful and then returning after the homily. At what age does the obligation to hear Mass on Sunday take effect?

The Obligation should begin with First Holy Communion. In the year prior they should be learning to participate in the complete Mass and in my opinion should not be dismissed during that year either.

The Lay leaders should also be reminded that they should return to another Mass to complete their Mass obligation.

 

[puzzleannie]

Is it permissable to leave the church during the liturgy of the word and still fullfill your Sunday obligation to attend Mass? I ask this in reference to the practice of dismissing children in the first 5 grades accompanied by their lay leaders for a bible study away from the main body of the faithful and then returning after the homily. At what age does the obligation to hear Mass on Sunday take effect?

children who have made first communion are required to attend the entire Mass, including the full readings, Gospel read by priest or deacon, and the homily. Children still preparing for communion may be dismissed for a children’s liturgy of the word, at which the gospel should be proclaimed by another priest or deacon if possible, who should also present the children’s homily. If there is not a priest or deacon who can address himself to children, a lay person can be appointed to do the readings, and to present a teaching (not personal opinion or reflection) drawn from approved sources. Older children and adults may participate in this occassionaly to assist, but they may not miss the “grown-up” readings and homilies week after week, or they are not meeting their own Mass obligation.

 

[SMHW]

Ideally, Children’s Liturgy of the Word is not supposed to be a dismissal from the Mass but should be considered part of the Mass.

 

[agapewolf]

Actually, children can be dismissed after they make their first Holy Communion. We do it k-3rd grade. K and 1st have one room and 2nd and 3rd have another room.

It is completely allowed. The Children’s lectionary is read (all the readings for the day), and the teachers use pre-printed material (Catholic stuff matched up to the readings). They get the same thing as the main church, except even better because they are more engaged (shorter attention span), and they have a better chance of getting a message. They are back for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.