Children's Liturgy of the Word (pulling out of Mass)

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Our church just started a Children’s Liturgy of the Word where, after the Creed, a woman takes the children into the Chapel, reads a “children’s version” of the readings (including the Gospel), and then talks with them about the readings.

Is this liturgically correct?

I am not sending my son (7 years old) to this for a number of reasons (I’ll list them at towards the end), but I’m getting some criticism from some parishioners as to why I am not letting him go. I plainly stated my reasons, but they think I’m nuts for not letting him go. To be perfectly honest, I don’t necessarily care what others say about how we chose to raise our family, but I’m curious as to if this is an appropriate thing to do at Church.

One final question, I found out that the woman who is leading this has the kids stand during Gospel. This may sounds like a silly question … but is that ok to do? In my humble opinion, that sounds like the proclaiming of the Gospel, which can only be done by a Deacon or Priest … correct?

I appreciate you taking the time to read through this and offer any answers you have.

Here are my top reasons why I don’t want my son to participate in this:
  1. I believe Mass should be celebrated together as a family … and be full participants in the Mass.
  2. We have taught my son how to properly behave in church (including knowing the reverent positions and why), I like him to continue to honor this.
  3. As a family, we talk about Fr.'s homily and other things that went on at Mass … if he was not there with us for that, we would not be able to have these conversations.
  4. We read the readings together as a family ahead of time and talk about them, so he does not need a children’s version to help him understand/pay attention better.
God Bless!!! 🙂
 
Lots of parishes have this, and it sounds like your parish is doing it just fine. The teacher may have the kids stand just for good practice for Mass (I practice Mass stuff with my kids at home, too - the postures, responses, etc. I’m not trying to imitate a priest, but teach my children what’s expected of them). The kids often do some kind of activity that is like what I see in the MagnifiKid activity books. It’s usually for kids in preschool up to the year they start preparing for First Communion (so 4-6 or 7, so your child is on the older side anyway).

You can decide whether or not you want to have your child participate. We have CLoW at our parish too but we won’t be doing it mostly for similar reasons to yours (plus it’s at a Mass we don’t normally go to anyway). Just like any criticism from others about how you raise your children, you can always respond with, “Thank you for your concern, but we’ve decided that this is what’s right for us for now.” Repeat as necessary.
 
my parish has this as well. we just moved here a few months ago, so it was very different for us, but we have decided to let our kids attend. I understand and share some of your concerns, but we think the pros outweigh the cons. Providing children with an opportunity to understand scripture at their level is important I think. Also, considering they are only away for about 20 minutes out of an hour-long mass, they are still attending most of the mass with us. Of course, it’s ultimately up to you as parents and I don’t think one way is better than the other…just whatever is best for you and your kids.
 
It’s wonderful that you discuss Mass and the readings with your son. But unfortunately, I think you’re in the minority. That program is a great idea for many children. But your son doesn’t need it, and it’s great that you keep him at Mass with you. As for the parishioners who criticize you for it – how is it any of their business? 🙂
 
My opinion as a DRE:

While it’s a good idea in theory, it tends to build the notion that unless you do something “special” or “extra” our kids won’t grow up Catholic.
The Mass is for everyone. It’s a parent’s job to explain the Mass and all things about the faith to their children, and it’s our job as catechists to support them. Some parents like it, but in my mind anyway, that’s what Faith Formation classes are for. Our curriculum supports the Readings and the Liturgical seasons. If they are enrolled they get all of it, and have the added bonus of worshipping with their families. One of the best things a parent can do for their children is to allow them to see how much it means to YOU and how faithful you are. Beside you, in the pew. Sons and daughters emulate and treasure the behaviors that you model for them.

As they say, go for it if you like it, but many pastors don’t like it for all the reasons you state.
 
pianistclare said:
My opinion as a DRE:

While it’s a good idea in theory, it tends to build the notion that unless you do something “special” or “extra” our kids won’t grow up Catholic.
The Mass is for everyone. It’s a parent’s job to explain the Mass and all things about the faith to their children, and it’s our job as catechists to support them. Some parents like it, but in my mind anyway, that’s what Faith Formation classes are for. Our curriculum supports the Readings and the Liturgical seasons. If they are enrolled they get all of it, and have the added bonus of worshipping with their families. One of the best things a parent can do for their children is to allow them to see how much it means to YOU and how faithful you are. Beside you, in the pew. Sons and daughters emulate and treasure the behaviors that you model for them.

As they say, go for it if you like it, but many pastors don’t like it for all the reasons you state.
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I’m in agreement with this post. Although I very much understand WHY parishes are doing it, I think that it really undermines the whole point of mass. The Liturgy of the Word is for EVERYONE not just adults.
 
The Childrens’ Liturgy of the Word is accepted by the Church. It is your choice whether your children should participate. Certainly nobody should be judging you on whether your children participate or not.
 
All I know is that, when I was a kid, I thought it was pretty stupid.

It’s also a lazy way to avoid having a real Sunday school or weekday CCD classes for little kids. Since my parish already had Sunday and weekday CCD classes, the pullout Liturgy of the Word died a quick death.

Now that I’m an adult, I tend to expect some kind of horrible accident to occur, because in any parish where I’ve seen it done, the kids always get away with running down the aisle. Always.

(Man, I would have been so dead if I had ever run in church. The only question would have been whether the slippery patent leather shoes would have done me in, or whether my mom would have caught me first.)
 
Mintaka said:
All I know is that, when I was a kid, I thought it was pretty stupid.

It’s also a lazy way to avoid having a real Sunday school or weekday CCD classes for little kids. Since my parish already had Sunday and weekday CCD classes, the pullout Liturgy of the Word died a quick death.

Now that I’m an adult, I tend to expect some kind of horrible accident to occur, because in any parish where I’ve seen it done, the kids always get away with running down the aisle. Always.

(Man, I would have been so dead if I had ever run in church. The only question would have been whether the slippery patent leather shoes would have done me in, or whether my mom would have caught me first.)
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this is not my experience at all. We have a very engaged parish, with a great GIFT program for kids and their parents to grow our faith together, and there is absolutely no acting up from the kids when they are called to the Liturgy of the Word. every last one of them is quiet and orderly. It’s actually quite nice. I suppose you have to make your decision depending on your particular parish.
 
I’m concerned that the children who leave Mass after the Creed miss important parts of the Mass. Am I misunderstanding something here?
 
here is how our Church describes it:

"Children are invited to leave the worshipping community and go to the Daily Chapel (ages 6-12) or Church Hall (ages 3-6) in order to hear the Liturgy of the Word proclaimed on their level. Once they hear the Word, we lead them in reflection and discussion of their thoughts and feelings. Proclaimers do not preach to the children - there is no homily so to speak. We encourage the children to take part in the discussion and feel that this is the best way for the children (and proclaimers too) to learn God’s Word and how it affects us every day. This prepares them to be able to understand and “live” it in their daily lives.

The children return to their families during the Offertory Procession, and are present for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Parents are asked to discuss the Gospel with their children and make it part of family prayer time throughout the week. In this manner, the connections for faith development are made for children in all areas of their lives. They really come to know Jesus!"
 
MickeyM927 said:
Our church just started a Children’s Liturgy of the Word where, after the Creed, a woman takes the children into the Chapel, reads a “children’s version” of the readings (including the Gospel), and then talks with them about the readings.

Is this liturgically correct?

God Bless!!! 🙂
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While a Children’s Liturgy of the Word is allowed, by virtue of the Directory on Masses With Children, note what it says:
17. (…) Sometimes, moreover, if the place itself and the nature of the community permit, it will be appropriate to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, including a homily, with the children in a separate, but not too distant, room. Then, before the Eucharistic Liturgy begins, the children are led to the place where the adults have meanwhile celebrated their own Liturgy of the Word.

In your parish it appears that they are doing it backwards.
 
:pNahhh, Sister would have clipped you first, LOL.
Mintaka said:
All I know is that, when I was a kid, I thought it was pretty stupid.

It’s also a lazy way to avoid having a real Sunday school or weekday CCD classes for little kids. Since my parish already had Sunday and weekday CCD classes, the pullout Liturgy of the Word died a quick death.

Now that I’m an adult, I tend to expect some kind of horrible accident to occur, because in any parish where I’ve seen it done, the kids always get away with running down the aisle. Always.

(Man, I would have been so dead if I had ever run in church. The only question would have been whether the slippery patent leather shoes would have done me in, or whether my mom would have caught me first.)
Click to expand...
 
I used to lead the Childrens Liturgy in my parish.
A previous poster said it was “accepted” by the Church. This is ambiguous, depending on how you interpret it. The book we took the readings from was apparently intended for Masses to be said with children; something I was not doing with them since I am a layman.

Furthermore, the DRE directed that they take place around a “table”, with candles lit. All this makes me uncomfortable in hindsight. When I mentioned it, she said well this is the Liturgy of the Word, and in church they have (at that time) candles by the main lectionary when the reading were being done. All of this created ambiguity in the minds of children. Where is the actual Mass taking place, here in the rectory or back in the church where the kids would return later?

I think people asked the Church for permission to do one kind of thing - childrens Masses, communion services, or paraliturgies at some other time and place besides Sunday Mass - and are misusing that acceptance for something totally different. Technically only a priest or deacon can read the gospel or preach at Mass. If a layperson is doing this in the back room or wherever, then the Church does **not ** approve this childrens liturgy. The last thing children need is ambiguity and confusion.

Besides the Childrens Lectionary, we also used another book published by Treehaus. It had a heavy liberal spin, in preparing the leader. They gave all kinds of sample prayers for the makeshift “Mass” we were doing. For instance instead of invoking Trinity by name, they would invoke God, Jesus, and the Spirit. Never permitted any reference to the Father, or any kind of male pronoun, which was awkward. Of course, I put in all the Catholic stuff I could think of, ignoring the book.

Whether it is acceptable or not, I would consider it imprudent. If they want to offer something clearly designated as a paraliturgy, some other day besides Sunday, maybe consider it, with no candles like they have on altars.
 
MickeyM927 said:
Our church just started a Children’s Liturgy of the Word where, after the Creed, a woman takes the children into the Chapel, reads a “children’s version” of the readings (including the Gospel), and then talks with them about the readings.

Is this liturgically correct?
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Do you really mean to say that that the children are taken out after the Creed? If so, that is definitely not liturgically correct and I would not allow your son to participate.

If you actually meant that the children are take out just before the First Reading and brought back for the Liturgy of the Eucharist (probably around the time of the presentation of the gifts) then that is allowed.

As for whether or not it’s a good idea for the parish or for your son in particular, that is going to depend on your parish implementation and on your son.
 
Phemie said:
While a Children’s Liturgy of the Word is allowed, by virtue of the Directory on Masses With Children, note what it says: 17. (…) Sometimes, moreover, if the place itself and the nature of the community permit, it will be appropriate to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, including a homily, with the children in a separate, but not too distant, room. **Then, before the Eucharistic Liturgy begins, the children are led to the place where the adults have meanwhile celebrated their own Liturgy of the Word.**In your parish it appears that they are doing it backwards.
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Yikes! I missed that the first time around. Yes, if there is CLoW, kids should go during the readings, and be back before the Liturgy of the Eucharist. On the few times we’ve gone to the Mass with CLoW, the kids come back at the beginning of the Offertory.
 
I believe I prefer, " The family that prays together, stays together" .
 
The candles are for the reading of the Gospel next to the ambo. Candles on the altar are different.
I’m sure the meaning of the candles was because the WORD was being proclaimed. All of the pastors I have worked with in Catholic schools and parishes have really not liked the Children’s Lectionary.
Having said this, I think what you encountered was probably really off the mark.
commenter said:
I used to lead the Childrens Liturgy in my parish.
A previous poster said it was “accepted” by the Church. This is ambiguous, depending on how you interpret it. The book we took the readings from was apparently intended for Masses to be said with children; something I was not doing with them since I am a layman.

Furthermore, the DRE directed that they take place around a “table”, with candles lit. All this makes me uncomfortable in hindsight. When I mentioned it, she said well this is the Liturgy of the Word, and in church they have (at that time) candles by the main lectionary when the reading were being done. All of this created ambiguity in the minds of children. Where is the actual Mass taking place, here in the rectory or back in the church where the kids would return later?

I think people asked the Church for permission to do one kind of thing - childrens Masses, communion services, or paraliturgies at some other time and place besides Sunday Mass - and are misusing that acceptance for something totally different. Technically only a priest or deacon can read the gospel or preach at Mass. If a layperson is doing this in the back room or wherever, then the Church does **not ** approve this childrens liturgy. The last thing children need is ambiguity and confusion.

Besides the Childrens Lectionary, we also used another book published by Treehaus. It had a heavy liberal spin, in preparing the leader. They gave all kinds of sample prayers for the makeshift “Mass” we were doing. For instance instead of invoking Trinity by name, they would invoke God, Jesus, and the Spirit. Never permitted any reference to the Father, or any kind of male pronoun, which was awkward. Of course, I put in all the Catholic stuff I could think of, ignoring the book.

Whether it is acceptable or not, I would consider it imprudent. If they want to offer something clearly designated as a paraliturgy, some other day besides Sunday, maybe consider it, with no candles like they have on altars.
Click to expand...
 
SMHW said:
Do you really mean to say that that the children are taken out after the Creed? If so, that is definitely not liturgically correct and I would not allow your son to participate.

If you actually meant that the children are take out just before the First Reading and brought back for the Liturgy of the Eucharist (probably around the time of the presentation of the gifts) then that is allowed.

As for whether or not it’s a good idea for the parish or for your son in particular, that is going to depend on your parish implementation and on your son.
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Perhaps she meant after the Gloria.
 
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