Liturgy of the Word for Children?

[dizzy_dave]

Anyone familiar with the liturgy of the word for children? The 4-10 year olds leave Mass before the 1st reading and do their own thing and return around the offering, What’s your opinion on this? Good thing or Bad thing?

 

[mkw]

I might get “shot” down for this, but here goes my opinion.

Scripture readings can be confusing for adults at times to understand. I can just imagine young children having an even harder time with them. Having Liturgy of the Word for children is a great idea. If they understand the readings, they will take a more active role in the parish and truely enjoy going to Holy Mass.

I speak from experience. My 11 year old son has no clue as to what is happening during Mass nor does he have an understanding of the readings. Part of the reason is that I am a very recent convert, so he has not be reared in the faith.

I wish my parish offered this for our young people. As they mature in understanding, they can stay with everyone else.

Just my :twocents: from personal observation.

 

[kmmd]

I think that it is a bad idea. I have been involved in it in the past. It disrupts the Mass. The kids don’t learn to sit quietly and listen to the readings or to follow along in the Missalettes. Instead they learn that the Liturgy of the Mass is for “grown ups” and that they are “expected” to be board or not understand it. Also they get an interpetation of readings from some one who is not ordained and therefore does not have the teaching office of the Church. Many times it is from some one who has never studied Catholic theology or maybe even never participated in a Bible study. So they learn that the stories mean whatever you read in to them. In our parish it was common to have older high school students lead the children (hey, the Mass is boring for them too, you know).

We did in our parish in the late 80’s and now they are looking for volunteers to start it again. I am praying they won’t get any.

Mass is sacred and our focus should be on the altar and what takes place there. For the congregation, many people are distracted by the “darling children” as they march forward for their “blessing” before they leave the “assembly”.

Unfortunately there is some allowance for this sort of thing by the Conference of American Bishops. I was hoping to be able to encourgage them to stop on account of the rubrics, but at the
Adoremus Society, they said it was allowed, although they had touble with it as well

The organizers mean well, but I think they are sorely mistaken.

 

[ND_Mike]

This is one of the problems I have with my parish. I understand the Bible can be very difficult to understand. We see misinterpretations all the time. However, the priests and families of these children need to explain the meanings of the passages we hear at mass. I think the biggest problem is the poor education we Catholics receive in our Catholic schools along with the weak, feel good homilies we hear at mass. I am now 20 and my parents and us kids always discuss the readings and what are the purposes. I really learned more from my parents than I did Catholic school and the priests. It seems like the Church is afraid to speak up about its teachings and the real importance of the readings in mass.

My biggest problems are why can’t the priests explain the readings to the children, why do so many parents leave with their kids(is it to get out of participating in mass?), and most of all it’s an interuption of a holy worship in which I am participating with my whole heart and soul. It interupts participation in this beautiful worship similiar to hand holding during the Our Father, and the playing of music during the consecration. This interuption is very frustrating because it distracts us from this heavenly worship.

I think it comes down to the Church and the families. We need to become more active in our faith. We need to be taught more fully what that faith is. Most importantly we need not be afraid to teach the truth. We truly need a better education from the Church so we have a strong foundation to build apon.

I am so grateful God has blessed me with a family that is so caring and loving. I am also grateful for my passion for my faith. God has truly blessed me and I am eternally gratefull.

 

[tmore35]

The Liturgy of the Mass for Children has the approval, in fact it was devised by the USCCB Committe on the Liturgy. It is a good thing provided that the kids reveive quality instruction and they leave and return without disrupting the flow of the Mass. The parents are not to go with them.

The Church is making strides in educating her flock. This is an example. It also gives the parents an opportunity to listen to and reflect upon the readings without the distractions children can and do place upon them. I think this policy is a very good thing.

 

[thann]

Although I know that the Liturgy of the Word for Children has ecclesial approval, I strongly dislike it for several reasons:

1. The fact that the readings are “over their heads” is insignificant. At what time would those readings be at their level? Most adults I know struggle with the readings, too. Let’s all struggle together. If parents are concerned that the readings will not be understood, make it your business to find the day’s readings online (or purchase a Missal), read them as a family, and discuss them. My son is 14 and we still do this before Mass, and we always have a discussion afterward. It is YOUR responsibility as a parent to make sure that your children are properly catechized. What better way than to celebrate the liturgy TOGETHER?
2. Children parading out and back in again are a major distraction and disrupt the flow of the liturgy. This is always the case – I’ve seen it every single Sunday at my parish, and in every other parish where I sub (I am a liturgical musician). There is no quick and quiet way to get a group of small children anywhere.
3. I have observed first hand that some of the activity the children do while away from Mass is akin to playtime or busy work – not centered on the readings or the liturgy.
4. Children are a vital part of the parish community and should remain with their families during Mass. How will they learn to behave, listen, and so on, if they are removed from the Mass?

'thann

 

[irish_mcmom]

In our parish , the average age of a parishoner is 10. We have many programs at our 9:00 a.m. mass to assist parents of young children. Children from 1 - 3 are in a nursery, so parents are able to fully participate in the liturgy without ssh-ing their toddler. We have a Sunday School program for children 3 - 5 during 9:00 a.m. mass, again, to provide the children with some instruction - geared at their age and following the readings of the week - and also provide the parents with some prayerful time during Mass. For children in grades K - 3, we have Liturgy of The Word. It is a wonderful way for the message of the Gospel to get to our children, in a way that they can more easily understand. They will do a little “project” that is centered on the Gospel theme that day, and then they join us again for the remainder of Mass.

I have a 7 yr old and 9 yr old, who participate in weekly mass in their school, so they do know how to “sit through mass”. I think it is more important to teach them the importance of the Consecration and reverence in that portion of the liturgy, rather than the readings. We do discuss what they talked about during Children’s Liturgy after Mass. I

I know we were all subjected to sitting through mass as children, and my mom continues to tell me that if I just sit in the front row the children will behave (not an issue anymore); however, if our Church is looking for ways to enhance the experience for our children and perhaps grow their interest in our Faith, why should we object? It is very important for children to learn about our Catholic faith from other adults active in the church, other than mom, dad and Fr.