“Teaching Masses” were not a planned thing per the Young Adult Ministry I was long involved in (called Search), but the visiting priests who said our Masses on Saturdays and Sundays often explained the mass as they: prepared, vested, and then began the mass.
Since the Search weekends were open to a number of non-Catholics, baptised but relatively not too well formed Catholics, and reverts who were now listening better … the teaching Masses were very good for that particular ministry.
Some of the lessons from those I try to incorporate into the Sunday communion Services I conduct at the County Home for Children.
As a trained layperson my only vestment is a simple alb, but the reminder that we are to “put on Christ” as we follow Him – is one well shared and reminds everyone including me that worship is service and not being a sort of star of the show.
Since we also get unchurched or barely so kids coming to the service, an explanation of the differences between a communion service (and similarities) and a mass is a usual lead in to the service.
Explaining why and when we stand and kneel at the service is less important than calling attention to the Central theme and person of Christ and His sacrifice for our salvation … but does short circuit some confusions later.
That Jesus said the first mass at the Last Supper and instituted a covenant with commands such as take, eat, drink and DO this … is a good beginning explanation of why and how the Church does what it does for mass and communion.
As some of the kids who come are as young as five, I remember being five, and simplify things down to Jesus’ summation of the Old Testament as Love God …and your neighbor as yourself and remind those of all ages of His sacrifice for our sins.
Go therefore and teach the nation’s … except during mass. < Contains an incorrect clause at the end of it.
The priest will walk through and explain all the parts of the Mass and all the vestments and things, but he’s not actually celebrating a Mass.