A First for Dumaguete (and the Philippines)

Since our experience is, as far as anyone here knows, the very first celebration of the Children's Liturgy of the Word in the Philippines, all the resources we have used have come from the United States - including our very first team and new Dumaguete residents, The Havraneks. Terry and Maria, and their daughters Theya and Treana , a seasoned team with 5 years experience, have so generously offered to demonstrate just how they did this back in Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania. Currently, they are also holding workshops for the many volunteers eager to make "going to church" a more real experience for children.

Following is material which we are making into brochures for an info campaign. We have pieced all this information together from various websites of parishes doing this beautiful practice; to them, we say thanks for the foresight. With this and the brochures, we plan to reach those who have not ever heard of the Children's Liturgy of the Word and those who do not understand. It is to be hoped that they will, at the very least, be encouraged to find out more because ultimately, it is our children - an integral part of our church - who will benefit.

What is the Children’s Liturgy of the Word?

The Children’s Liturgy of the Word is not catechesis; it is worship. It is based on the document, “Directory for Masses with Children”, issued in 1973 by the Congregation for Divine Worship in Rome. It is this document that offers principles and guidelines for adapting the Liturgy to suit children, to enable them to take a more conscious and active part in liturgical celebrations.

Children have the right to hear what God has to say to them because they have been baptized. The problem with liturgy is that it is couched in adult language which children cannot understand. The Children’s Liturgy of the Word tells God’s words in language that is more familiar to children. It enables them to discover and recognize themselves in the story proclaimed in the Gospel. When they make this discovery from their own experience, they can then thank, praise, and bless God in their daily lives, and can cling to our faith in times of need in the same way we adults do – through prayer.

Emphasis during the CLOW is on ritual and not on learning. The presider uses a 3-step process that includes:

1. We listen to God speak. The readings are adapted to the language of children while still maintaining the integrity of the Word.

2. We reflect on the reign of God. After drawing from the children what they heard God say to them, we share questions that invite the children to reflect on what difference God’s Word makes in their lives.

3. We respond to God’s Word. Finally, we explore with the children what they are going to do now that they have heard God’s Word.

What happens at Children’s Liturgy of the Word?

1. After the opening prayer, the priest calls the children and presents the lectionary to the presider.

2. The presider, assisted by other volunteers, leads the children out to the Marian Hall behind the church for their celebration of the Word at their own level.

3. The Children’s Liturgy of the Word follows the structure of the celebration by the adults: Old Testament reading, Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, Gospel Proclamation, reflection by the presider, Creed and Prayer of the Faithful. The only other difference is that there is more singing and a livelier time for the children.

4. The children return to the church along with the offertory procession to participate in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. At the foot of the altar, and after the presider returns the lectionary to the priest, he blesses the children with holy water. They then return to sit with their parents and participate in the rest of the Mass.

Who is it for?

At the Mary Immaculate Parish, we welcome all children ages 4 – 11 years old. For those children who are unsure about attending, we encourage parents, grandparents, older siblings, or even yayas to accompany them until they feel comfortable. There is no registration required since this is not a Catechism Class.

When do we have it?

Currently, we only have it during the 8:15 a.m. mass on Sundays as we are only starting and have yet to train volunteers to become presiders, readers, and cantors. Since we want to preserve the unity of the assembly at mass, our children do not totally celebrate a “children’s mass” apart from the adults. During mass, after the opening prayer, the children are led out for their own Liturgy of the Word, but are led back in to take part in the assembly’s Liturgy of the Eucharist.

What do we use?

We use the lectionary originally co-written by four people from Clifton, UK, all experienced in the fields of liturgy and catechesis. One of them, Christopher Walker, who was then Director of Music at Clifton Cathedral, is an internationally-acclaimed composer of liturgical music for children. He also wrote all of the music we are using for the children’s liturgy.

The materials we use - the lectionary, the guidebook, the songbooks, and more - are gifts from the St. Margaret Mary Parish in Lower Burrell. We thank Joan Duncan, Director for Faith Formation, and Donna Misak, Youth Choir Director, for convincing their parish that it was worth it to extend their help and their love to the children of Mary Immaculate Parish.