Children who have not received their first communion (typically those in Pre-K through 5th grade) are invited by the priest to leave the congregation just before the Liturgy of the Word at the Sunday 9:30 am Mass in English and 12:30pm Mass in Spanish. The children gather elsewhere for age-appropriate readings and discussion. This is an interactive program designed to help the children understand how they model their lives on the weekly scripture readings.
At the conclusion of the opening prayer, but before the first reading is proclaimed, the presiding priest will formally invite children who have not received first communion to come forward for a blessing and prayer and then sends the children and their ministers to the place where they will celebrate their own Liturgy of the Word. The purpose of the Childrens Liturgy of the Word is teach children at their level of understanding and readiness to learn about their faith.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word plays an important part in drawing children into worship as it:
- Helps to celebrate the presence of God in his Word
- Facilitates sharing the message of the gospel with children at their level
- Helps children experience the Church as community
- Encourages children to form a loving and generous response to the Word of God
- Encourages parents to bring the children to Mass and to come as a family
- Encourages parents to attend Mass regularly
- Helps children to learn about their faith in a positive and enjoyable manner
- Helps the community to embrace and acknowledge the children in the parish family
Children's Liturgy of the Word is open to parishioners and visiting children who have not received their first communion.
All parish activities involving children under the age of 18 are delivered by adults with clearance in accordance with the Los Angeles Archdiocese Safeguard the Children initiative.