PARK CITY — Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish is helping children understand the Liturgy of the Word while implementing the diocesan Pastoral Plan.
Years ago, the parish was among those nationwide that had a program called Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW), but at some point it stopped. Last winter, as part of the parish’s efforts to respond to the call of the Pastoral Plan for faith formation and evangelization, CLOW made a comeback.
St. Mary parishioners have been focusing on the Pastoral Plan and CLOW “is just one way that we can help with faith formation and evangelization of all parishioners of all ages,” said Lauri Hawkins, who coordinates the CLOW program.
“Sometimes we forget about the little ones when we are talking about the Pastoral Plan, but they are absolutely part of our bishop’s Pastoral Plan, and we are trying to implement that,” Hawkins said.
Through the program, younger parishioners have an opportunity to learn about the Mass readings and Gospel in an age-appropriate fashion that is fun and meaningful for them, she added. “CLOW is a really neat program, and it is a way for our youngest parishioners to be able to break open the Gospel of the day.”
The Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship recognized the importance of having a liturgy geared toward children with its 1973 publication Directory for Masses With Children. While acknowledging that “the witness of adult believers [at Mass] can have a great effect upon the children. Adults can in turn benefit spiritually from experiencing the part that the children have within the Christian community ...,” the directory also states that “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. ...”
St. Mary of the Assumption Parish puts this suggestion into action during the Sunday morning Mass. Right before the procession and introductory rites, Father Christopher Gray, pastor, calls the children forward. They then process to the back of the parish and watch the first part of the Mass. Before the first reading they are escorted out to other rooms to hear the Scripture readings proclaimed and explained at an age-appropriate level.
These sessions are not faith formation classes; rather, the children hear the same Mass readings as adults but in simpler terms that are easier to grasp.
“Part of the beauty of this program is that while the children are still hearing about the readings and the message, at the same time their parents can have time to focus on the readings and on the Gospel, too,” Hawkins said.
After hearing the readings, the children return to the hallway outside the church door, where they line up until everyone sits down after the Prayers of the Faithful. As the ushers prepare the offertory gifts and the offertory song begins, the children rejoin their families.
CLOW at St. Mary’s is recommended for children from 3 to 8 years old, but everyone is welcome, Hawkins said.
“Usually when the child has received First Communion they are more ready to understand better the Mass readings and Gospel, but older kids that come to CLOW usually help with the little ones,” she said.
CLOW is run by volunteers; the goal is to have enough people so that they need only volunteer every other month, Hawkins said.
“The lessons are already planned and we just encourage them to use their own creativity. It doesn’t take a lot of time; it just takes love for the children and for the Gospel,” she said.
Stay Connected With Us