Sunday School

  • Thread starter Thread starter T_More
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

T_More

Guest
Does your parish dismiss the children after the Introductory Rite for Sunday School? Is it licit? Is it something the Church has always done, if not, when was it introduced?
 
At my parish the children from kindergarten through second grade are dismissed before the first reading…they return just after the sermon. This wasn’t done when I was a child many years ago…perhaps this is something new.
 
Ours does that too. Not long after the introductory rite and then the children are back after the homily, for the consecration. I believe at least thats how it is. I tend to not pay much attention anymore as my daughter does not go down as she’s not big enough to figure out how to get back to me and I personally do not want to miss any part of the mass. We make up for her missing this part by doing Sunday school at home.

But as to whether it is licit, I could not tell you. 😊

I should also note that there are times when there isn’t any “Sunday school” and the children stay for the entire mass.
 
Where this is done, it has been started at some point within the last forty years. Prior to that it was basically unknown.
 
Before Vatican II children before the first communion did not attended Mass at all.

I suppose their special teaching is the accommodation of the Gospel to their level. Since the essential part of the Mass still is the Offertory-Consecration-Communion, if they return to the Offertory then there is nothing wrong with that.

Christ expects intelligent worship in out level of understanding.
 
Sunday School! The best method of forming a future atheist!
 
Warrenton said:
Sunday School! The best method of forming a future atheist!
Click to expand...
Why?

I would think it would depend on the content. I’m not familiar with Sunday school in Catholic churches. I will say growing up with Sunday school went a long way in exposing me to the Bible.
 
Warrenton said:
Sunday School! The best method of forming a future atheist!
Click to expand...
Someone once commented on the religious education program. “It doesn’t give the children the Faith; it just inoculates them against it.” 😦
 
T_More said:
Does your parish dismiss the children after the Introductory Rite for Sunday School? Is it licit? Is it something the Church has always done, if not, when was it introduced?
Click to expand...
don’t quite understand the full situation
if you are speaking of baptized children who are going to their religious education class, once they have made first communion they must participate in the full Mass. They should not be dismissed, unless they are going to attend a full Mass later in the day.

If you are speaking of a Children’s Liturgy of the Word, where children from preschool age up to the age for first communion are dismissed before the readings to hear the readings and a teaching in language suited to their age from a catechist, yes it is permitted. No it has not “always” been done. They are usually brought back to join their family before the Eucharistic Prayer begins.

If you are speaking of unbaptized children of school age who are dismissed for their catechetical session, yes that is part of RCIA, but the dismissal is done after the readings are proclaimed.

Not sure what “Sunday School” means in your parish.
I find it hard to believe a traditional parish (one that celebrates the EF) would have CLOW (the second option) in any case.
 
Even if it is a recent development, dos that make it “wrong”? Think about it, the children are given the same gospel, and then given material that is age appropriate to help them understand the significance more. I mean the Gospel is appropriate for all ages, but the same passage will have different applications. What you tell a small child about the Samaritan Woman at the well, and what you tell people who are older are different things. I think giving children a more basic message for in Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a good move.
 
StTommyMore said:
Even if it is a recent development, dos that make it “wrong”? Think about it, the children are given the same gospel, and then given material that is age appropriate to help them understand the significance more. I mean the Gospel is appropriate for all ages, but the same passage will have different applications. What you tell a small child about the Samaritan Woman at the well, and what you tell people who are older are different things. I think giving children a more basic message for in Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a good move.
Click to expand...
Take an actual look at the materials and get back to us.
 
StrawberryJam said:
Take an actual look at the materials and get back to us.
Click to expand...
Can you provide a little more information about what you find lacking or objectionable in the materials the parish you attend uses? And is this from the viewpoint of your “agnosticism” or your “catholic leanings”?
 
In the local cathedral, the children gather at the back of the nave and stand with liturgists near the baptismal font at the entrance. They wait for the Kyrie, Gloria, and Collect, and then process up the aisle and genuflect before the Tabernacle as the reader waits to initiate the first reading. Usually the organist accompanies the children with a short bit of marching music. Once they’ve gone downstairs through the sacristy, the reader begins and the Mass goes on. Generally they’ll reappear again halfway through the homily, making a great disturbance as they run back to their seats without concern for the sacred space.

I just hope this process doesn’t convince these children that they have to be the center of attention all the time (which seems to be the point of marching all the way up to the sanctuary and going downstairs in the sight of all)
 
In 1973 the “Directory for Masses with Children” was promulgated. This document gave directions to priests about how things could be done during Masses
  1. where children were the majority and few adults were present;
  2. where there were mostly adults with children present.
In the commentary on situation number 2 we find this
  1. Nevertheless, in Masses of this kind it is necessary to take great care that the children present do not feel neglected because of their inability to participate or to understand what happens and what is proclaimed in the celebration. Some account should be taken of their presence: for example, by speaking to them directly in the introductory comments (as at the beginning and the end of Mass) and at some point in the homily.
    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.
Click to expand...
This started the situation we find today in many parishes, the dismissal of children who may or may not return before the Eucharistic Prayer. Unfortunately what happens after the dismissal often does not constitute a Liturgy of the Word.

A few years ago the CCCB published a document “Celebrating the Liturgy of the Word with Children” to help parishes with what has become a farce in many.

The document makes several excellent points.
  1. It points out is the word “Sometimes” in article #17. The Bishops conclude that that word precludes having this LOWWC every Sunday. In fact, the document says that it should be based on the content of the readings and the need for the children to hear it in simplified words and to the level of their understanding. We can all think of some readings that have very adult content.
  2. This is designed for children aged 4-8. Younger children don’t benefit, may be disruptive and it becomes babysitting (I’ve seen mothers take babes-in-arms out the LOWWC – I just figure the mother doesn’t want to sit in church for the readings and homily). Children who’ve made their First Communion usually don’t require this, but may for a year or so depending on the reading.
  3. This is to be a Liturgy, not a craft hour as we see in most parishes. The caveat: if pencils are involved you’re doing it wrong. Unfortunately, I know some parishes where this is the only time they have for Sacramental Preparation and that’s what they do then. And how many parishes use the Seed, Promise, etc leaflets with colouring pages and crafts?
  4. They are to return for the Eucharistic Prayer.
  5. No child who doesn’t want to go should be forced to do so, regardless of the reason (i.e. as part of a First Communion preparation) since their proper place is in the church with their parents.
Now I know that a proper LOW can be done with children using the Treehaus Children’s Lectionaries (which AFAIK, both the USCCB and CCCB have approved) and the Treehaus manuals. I’ve seen it done. Unfortunately, it’s not what I’ve seen in most parishes – I know, because my children participated and I was a leader in at least one parish long before I knew better.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top