Interrupting the priest

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Do you have a MC? I would assume it is the MC’^s responsibility to ensure everything happens at the right time, and to remind the priest of this in the most subtle and private way possible if the priest forgets to do something.

When I was a kid and an altar server I sometimes observed how our MC would find various excuses to go over and tell the priest something. For example he might pretend the microphone needed adjustment. This gave him, an excuse to quietly walk over to the priest, pretend to fiddle with the mike, switch it off, tell the priest something, fiddle some more, and switch it back on. One of our priests was a bit absent minded and it wasn’t unkonwn for him to forget important things, including hymns or special activities.
 
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JimG: good point. But then surely the priest should inform the leaders of the children’s liturgy beforehand that he has decided to discontinue it.

The leaders of this children’s litueg invest time and energy into preparing it, so its rather unfaior on them to only let them know during mass that their service is no longer required. Also, many parents may change their schedules specially to be able to attend a mass with children’s liturgy. If they knew there wasn’t going to be one they might be in a differnt mass at a time or in a place that is more practical for them.
 
somecanadian said:
And to do so in front of the parish strikes me as highly disrespectful.
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“Strikes me” is the operative phrase. Some might contend this is egocentric rather than theocentric.

Reminds me of the axiomatic, “Other that that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play.”

Rejoice in the Lord. Worry more about function over form. Form is important, but it should not interfere with your giving glory to God.

Pax et Bonum!
 
somecanadian said:
See now it was my understanding children’s liturgy isn’t even PART of the liturgy and is something that can be foregone so I’m not sure why it’s important enough to interrupt the Mass and correct the priest publicly but I’m just made of different stuff I guess.
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You’re correct. It’s not part of the liturgy. In fact, some priests dislike it, because it takes the children away from the celebration of the Mass with the community.

When I’ve seen it happen, though, it doesn’t interrupt the Mass by happening before the Kyrie. Instead, the children are invited to go away right after the collect and before the first reading. That makes it easy for the priest – the leaders come forward and stand in the aisle as everyone’s sitting, so the priest doesn’t really have to do anything (although, often, he’ll stand and pray over the children as they gather).

One other thing I wanted to mention: when it happens, it seems that it should be for very young children only. If a child is in CCD – and therefore, preparing to receive the Eucharist that year or next – it sure seems that s/he should remain in the pews with the congregation! (At least, that’s how I see it…!)
 
dochawk said:
Actually, children come back from this asking parents questions, which never would have been triggered had a four year old sat through the adult readings and homily
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Here’s the thing, though: what you’re talking about is catechesis, not alternate liturgy. Around here, there’s a program called “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd”, which allows children the opportunity to receive age-appropriate catechesis beginning at 3 or 4. That isn’t a replacement for the liturgy, it’s in addition to it!
 
CilladeRoma said:
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DignumEtJustum:
Actually there is no such thing as a “children’s liturgy;” all we did is go color. I’ve seen mention of it in NO Missal. Certainly it is no requirement but rather something likely concocted by laypeople. There is little liturgical about it.
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Actually, you are wrong. In the US Children’s Liturgy of the Word has it own lectionary, and it’s own rubrics to be followed.
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Actually, I think you might re-examine your claim! 🤣

Well… in fact, I think you two are talking about different things. @DignumEtJustum seems to be talking about a practice colloquially referred to as a “Children’s Liturgy of the Word”, which is not part of the rubrics of the Mass.

You seem to be referring to the Lectionary for Masses with Children. This isn’t a document that is meant to address a separate Liturgy of the Word, per se, but rather, an entire Liturgy – Word and Eucharist – geared toward children! (To be fair, though, the Directory for Masses with Children does make mention of taking children aside for their own Liturgy of the Word in Masses when there are “few children” at “adult Masses”. It doesn’t prescribe it as a practice, however, and IIRC, doesn’t prescribe rubrics.)
 
I have been a leader for CLOW. “Rubrics” might be the wrong word, but there is a correct way of going about having this type of service, and our Pastors and Bishop make very sure that all of us who are involved in this ministry follow very specific guidelines regarding execution.

My main point to @DignumEtJustum was that CLOW is most definitely “part of the Liturgy”. He/she may not like it, but when done properly, it helps young children develop a love for Mass and a relationship with God, Jesus and Church.

How can anyone have a problem with that?!
 
CilladeRoma said:
How can anyone have a problem with that?!
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If it’s ‘liturgy’, then it’s more reasonable. If it’s ‘activity time’, then it’s not.

The objections that I hear folks make is that it takes children away from their families and fractions the community, right at the time when we, as the family of God, should be together as one! Or, that it’s an “alternative” liturgy. That tends to be the objection, anyway…
 
In theory, this is correct.

In practice, not so much! Faith formation, even for the very young, at least in my diocese, has taken a back seat to sports and other activities.

We are starting CGS this year. We already have parents complaining that it will be for 2 hours every week!

Right now, we have only 7 of approximately 200 children in the age group signed up. Classes are supposed to start September 1. However, in at our Mass with CLOW, we have over 40 participants. For many of these kids, it is the only exposure to Mass and scripture they get. Why would we want to do away with it?
 
I seem to have sparked a bit of a debate. Interesting stuff though and I appreciate the back and forth (learning lots).

And this is why we should bring our concerns here. We end up accidentally learning stuff. LOL
 
It’s why I addressed you. LOL. Seemed safer. 😉

I can tell you one con right now.

At our parish they hustle the kids in front of the altar and across the sanctuary because it’s a ‘quicker’ route to reach the children’s liturgy room. They used to march them back down the aisle, through the nave and down the stairs but it ‘took too long’.

The concern I have about that one is it’s teaching children not to respect or honor that space. The adults too. I never see them bowing, or showing any sign of reverence for the space they’re entering. It’s a little disconcerting.
 
I’m sure they could but for whatever reason they don’t. I haven’t been involved in children’s liturgy because I’ve always been more focused on music ministry so I’ve never been able to suggest anything. But I will be looking into joining parish council so maybe I’ll be able to start suggesting changes (LATER. I can’t come in guns blazing or everyone will hate me. ROFL).
 
I know sometimes in parishes with a pretty stable congregation, oftentimes people do not realize that liturgical traditions of the parish are not necessarily universal.

In your case, I could imagine that no one even thinks to inform the new priest beforehand about how they do the children’s Liturgy of the Word at your parish because they assume that all parishes everywhere do it exactly the same way. However, this is not the case. But if you pretty much only have ever gone to one parish your whole life, you would have no way of knowing that.
 
CilladeRoma said:
How can anyone have a problem with that?!
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I don’t have a problem with it for others. If it works for some people, then great! It never appealed to me and my wife, though. At that age, my daughter was getting catechesis at both Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and at home with homeschooling. When it came to Mass, we just wanted her with us. Not that our parish did it anyway. But even if it did, we still would have just kept her with us.
 
Many people that frequent CAF, it seems, have a very negative opinion of doing anything that would, “dumb down” the faith. I am not saying that is what you are saying @ Joe_5859, but it seems to be a theme I see here often.

In real life, CLOW is the ONLY exposure to scripture & liturgy some children get. We really need to remember that CAF is full of people who are not your typical “pew sitters”.
 
And that’s good but in a way also sad. Why are there parents coming to Mass but not teaching their children? It’s a concern and a symptom of a much larger problem.
 
The choir could have been polite and said, “Before we begin the next song, we would like to invite the children to come forward.” If the choir chooses to throw jabs at the priest, they forgo their right to diplomacy and deserve whatever impolite response the laity decides to send their way. In short, don’t feel embarrassed to say your piece to the music minister.
 
How would you know that? I grew up with this sort of experimental garbage along with the music of the St. Louis Jesuits and realize that I can count the number of people I went through it with who still attend Mass on one hand. Those people just do not practice the Catholic faith. One faithful priest I know studying to be a Canon Lawyer is shocked at how “normal” I am based on the parish I grew up in. I have a problem with it because I went through it first hand and it does not work.
 
It didn’t work for YOU!

I have had a few older teens and young adults tell me that having the readings and the Gospel geared to them when they were younger, and had their own “Mass” made them feel like they were a part of the parish that mattered.

Again, the typical CAF-er is NOT your typical pew sitter.
If you don’t like CLOW and don’t want your children to participate, that is fine. But please remember that for some, it is a very helpful tool.
 
Our parish avoids the problem by having the parents deliver the children to the CLOW hall before Mass even begins.

They are brought in walking in procession behind their banner during the Offertory bearing any themed artwork they have been doing to present as part of the Offerings, then nudged to go and find their parents in the congregation.

It works well, with minimum disruption.
 
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