“Be doers of the word and not hearers only…” (James 1:22)

As the pandemic hit, Faith Formation ministries like all ministries were abruptly forced to shut down.  Never having envisioned how to do our ministry “from a distance,” we started simply by sending suggestions for at home activities.  But the Spirit kept nudging – there was more we could do! – and Children’s Liturgy of the Word was the first ministry to elementary children that went virtual (in May 2020).  For 15 months straight, almost every weekend and up to three times per Sunday, volunteers gathered with children on Zoom to share the Word of God.

Prior to the pandemic, Children’s Liturgy of the Word was active and thriving in person at one English Mass and the Spanish Mass on Sundays.  The challenge and joy of sharing scripture with children is discovering how to make it engaging.  From art to acting, science experiments to song, Children’s Liturgy ministers (both in-person and on Zoom) have found new and creative ways to make the Bible come alive for children!  At the heart of this ministry is the transformational quality of the Word of God.  In every session, with every child, we communicate that God is speaking His Word to them; after hearing God’s Word, they are sent on a mission to share that Word with everyone they meet, through what they say and what they do.

As kids participate in this program, it is incredible to see how the seed of God’s Word begins to grow in them. One family, whose child participated regularly in our Zoom sessions, shared, “My daughter loved connecting to Children’s Liturgy and would get very upset when I would forget to remind her. I’m glad she loved to attend mass in a way that she better understood.”

We hope that your children will join us this fall as we renew our in person Children’s Liturgy sessions!  And consider becoming a “doer” of God’s Word and sharing the joy of scripture with children!  Training and resources are provided.  To explore if this ministry is right for you, please contact Melanie Bailey at Melanie@hnmparish.org or (909) 599-1243 x232.
 
 

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is the celebration of the first part of the Mass (the Liturgy of the Word) adapted for a child’s level.  Children are dismissed from Mass prior to the readings and led by volunteers to classrooms to hear the Word at their level and learn what it means in their lives.  Children return to the church prior to Communion.  Parents are welcome to accompany children who are joining for the first time until they are comfortable.

IN-PERSON SESSIONS RESUME ON:
ENGLISH:  Sunday, Sept. 26th at 11:00 am Mass | SPANISH:  Sunday, Sept. 26th at 1:00 pm Mass
All children in Gr. K - 5 are welcome!

No registration necessary. For more information or to volunteer, contact Melanie at Melanie@hnmparish.org or
(909) 599-1243 x232 for more information.