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A Sample Liturgy of the Word for Children The following is a sample of what a Liturgy of the Word for Children might look like. It is from the Celebration II - We are People of the Cross of the Proclaiming Abundant Love parish mission. ![]() ![]() Gathering The children gather with their parents and the rest of the community at the beginning of the mission celebration in the parish church. After the opening prayer, they are dismissed from the assembly. One of the members of the preaching team accompanies them to a suitable place where they can listen to the Word and do the activity that is part of their celebration. ![]() ![]()
A simple refrain, such as the one above, from Chalice Prayer, by Keith Branson, C.PP.S. is sung several times. ![]() Different children might be asked to read each of the following with a little discussion of what they think it might mean.
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The children are invited to look at several different artistic renderings of the cross, to talk about their favorite cross and what the cross means to them. ![]() The leader of the session might also read The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale, retold by Anbgelka Elwell Hunt, Illustrations by Tim Jonke (Lion Children's Books, Colorado Springs, 1989). ![]() Using various media, the children are invited to make crosses that they will give to the adults as they leave the celebration that evening. If there is a parish school, the children in school, as well as those in the parish religious education program, might make some crosses prior to the beginning of the mission. Older children might help younger ones. Some of the crosses might also be taken to the homebound or to the residents of nursing care or assisted living facilities by members of the preaching team who visit those who are unable to attend the mission celebrations in person. If this is going to happen, the children should know that this will happen. ![]() The crosses might be placed in one or more baskets for their distribution to the entire assembly gathered that evening, as well as to those who are unable to attend the mission celebrations. Then the children would be invited to gather around the basket(s), stretch out their hands in blessing and pray with the member of the preaching team who has been leading this activity as he/she prays:
![]() The children return to the assembly after the Liturgy of the Word is over. The presider may welcome them back and ask them to share a little of what they did during their time away. The ritual follows, this evening it is the Veneration of the Cross, and the children participate in it with the rest of the assembly. ![]() Several of the children might take baskets with the crosses they made and give them to people as they return to their seats from venerating the cross. Or some of the children might go to the church doors to pass out their crosses as theassembly departs from the celebration. | Preparation Process | Mission Celebration | Children's Celebration | Follow-up | Mission Formats | | Return Home | Introduction | FAQ Page | Mission Outlines | Mission Schedules | Preachers | Contact Us | Planning Manuals | Other Downloads | |
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