Children’s Liturgy of the Word is intended to nourish and guide the children in their spiritual growth and help them to learn the liturgical language of the Catholic Church. As a catechist or helper, when you prepare your lessons and then share them with the children, we hope that you are nourished in your spiritual growth as well. Through this ministry, we can see that the future of our Church is being nourished in our children’s spiritual growth.

How the Ministry Works:

• Children’s Liturgy of the Word meets every Sunday during the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Mass, September through Palm Sunday.
• Children ages 4 – 6 are invited to leave the Church to hear the Word of God and explore those words in the language of the child. The children leave after the Introductory Greeting and go to a room adapted to their needs and capabilities. The Gospel is read, a short Homily is shared, they pray the Intercessions, and then as time permits the children will sing songs or do a related activity or color sheet. Then the children are brought back to Church after the Intercessions, during the Offertory.
• At least two adults are involved at all times.
• The CLW Director provides the lessons and assists the catechist.
   

Expectations:

• Lead Catechist: in addition to leading the 20 minute CLW session during his or her assigned Mass, the lead catechist will need to spend approximately one hour preparing for the class and communicating any needs or concerns to the director. The catechist needs to keep the Homily “child friendly” while still keeping with the theme of the Gospel. Any handouts or other activities should keep with the theme of the Gospel and should be viewed by the director prior to giving them to the children.
• Assistant/Helper: will help during the Mass to walk the children to their room, assist during that Mass time by handing out supplies or papers, taking children to the restroom, and helping the catechist to keep the reverence of Church during prayers.
• Catechists and Assistants are typically assigned a Mass twice per semester, or more often, if desired.