It is my hope that World Children’s Day will enrich parish children’s ministries in the same way that World Youth Day enriches youth ministries, writes Kate Moriarty. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
I’m not sure whose idea it was to get the Children’s Liturgy children to do the offertory procession but I’m starting to think it was a bad idea. We are milling about at the back of the church – this small gang of preschoolers and m – but we shouldn’t be here. At least, not yet.
Here’s how it goes: twice a term, I stand at the front of the church while a group of children emerge from the congregation and we move off to the room at the side. We read the Gospel together and have a discussion. This involves me trying to talk about God’s plan for creation and the children telling me about SpongeBob and broken dishwashers.
Marina is my assistant. Marina’s job is to keep an eye on Mass through the window in our door, and to shoot me an occasional look of solidarity. Because here’s the thing: we don’t know how long our session needs to be. Sure, we always go back after the homily, but how long will that take?
I’m about to start our activity, but Marina is flapping her hands. That was a really quick homily! Luckily, the kids haven’t seen the coloured wool and icy-pole sticks, so we can line up by the door as if this was always the plan.
Marina walks at the front and I walk at the back as we coax this small posse from the side of the church to the back of the church.
It is not until we reach our spot at the back that I realise. The short sermon? There was a reason for it. Another man, a man in a suit and tie, is standing at the lectern. He is saying words like ‘fiscal’ and ‘projection’ and ‘parish’ and ‘outcome’. All nine children begin to wriggle as one. What do I do?
Children’s ministries are an essential yet sometimes overlooked part of the Church’s mission – these ministries provide education, connection and ways to enter into the life of the parish.
Pope Francis has instituted the Church’s first-ever World Children’s Day, to be held in Rome tomorrow. Children from all over the world, together with their families, are invited to come to Rome to celebrate Mass with the Holy Father.
I am intrigued by this initiative. It is my hope that the creation of World Children’s Day will enrich parish children’s ministries in the same way that World Youth Day enriches youth ministries.
FULL STORY
Sundays with SpongeBob (By Kate Moriarty, Melbourne Catholic)
