Sad News and Happy News

The CLOW Team sends its heartfelt condolences to the Havraneks for their sad loss. Terry’s dad suddenly died yesterday, apparently of a heart attack. As I write this, Terry, Maria, Treana and Theya are on their way back to the States for the funeral. Our love and prayers go out to you guys. Don’t worry; we’ll hold the fort while you’re away.

In fact, Ruth Mae has already gotten Fr. Balongag’s approval and support for the August 14 Children’s get-together after the 8:15 a.m. Mass. Plans for this were hatched during Jufer’s talk last week when someone pointed out that a few kids had dropped out or were not participating because they felt they “didn’t know” anybody. Apparently, some of the kids do not know the others either socially or from school, and felt they needed to “have a friend” there.

Since we only have a few minutes to do the CLOW every Sunday, we thought it might help all the children if we gave them a chance to get to know one another outside of the Mass. For this acquaintance-party-cum-team-building-workshop, Jufer is preparing several games while Leonard is in-charge of some special songs. Most important though, Fr. Balongag has assured the CLOW Team that he will help us get funding for the kids’ snacks on that day, for what’s a party without the food!

Below are the announcement that will be read after the Sunday Masses going up to August 14, and the signup sheet.

An Announcement from the Leaders of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word:

Good Morning!

We would like to inform the parents/guardians of kids 4-11 years old who come to the Children’s Liturgy of the Word that the CLOW Team is inviting the kids to a 2-hour get-together on Sunday, August 14, after the 8:15 AM Mass. We will be having snacks, games, singing, and fun.

This get-together is a long-delayed acquaintance party for the children. Our objective is to help them get to know each other – and the Leaders – outside of the Mass, so the kids can relax during CLOW and can fully participate in the liturgy.

We’re providing sign-up sheets at the back for your child’s name and your signature. Afterwards, these sheets will be kept in the Parish Office so you can also fill it in during office hours.

We hope your kids can be with us that day.

Thank you.

Sign-up sheet for August 14 CLOW Kids’ Get-Together

Child's name, nickname	Age	School	Parent’s Name,Signature	Contact No.

New Cantors!

Yehey!! We got volunteers for the music-making! The children seem to be more relaxed now, and not afraid to "make mistakes". So many hands went up when the presider, Ruth Mae (not in the photo) asked them who wanted to help the cantors. After the Mass, we were told by some parents that our music could be heard in the church, but it did not distract them from the homily. Instead, it "reassured" them that their children were doing fine at the back, hearing God's Word at their own level.

Here they're shown playing their instruments and singing the Responsorial Psalm, "Jesus is with us today, beside us to guide us today!...." Behind them are Maria, Chin-Chin, Leonard and the reader, Marianne.


To allow more children to participate, we tried to get a different set to help sing the Alleluia, but were only 50% successful; these two boys were just too eager and quick. We hope to get to know all (!) the children on August 14, at the get-together. Maybe then we'll be able to add names to their photos.

Jufer's Talk on Interacting With Children

In a bid to be "the best that we can be", we asked Jufer Villanueva to share his experiences in dealing with children while at Bradford Woods Outdoor Center, Indiana University. Since everybody's busy during the workweek, we scheduled it on a Wednesday, right after the 5:30 p.m. Mass. A few still could not make it but 8 out of 11 presiders were able to come.

Before that, though, we had to have a quick carbohydrate fix of juice and mamon to tide us over until our late suppers, so we could concentrate on the talk. Shown from left are: Monica, Maria, Ari, Lycar and Ruth Mae. Behind them are Leonard and Jufer. Ronald arrived a little later.

During Jufer's talk, Maria and Lycar shared their own experiences. Maria told everybody that she talked to Fr. Balongag right after the Mass and got his okey on the CLOW sharing to include other activities like drawing. She said that when she and her husband Terry used to facilitate Engagement Encounters in the U.S., they even went as far as constantly rearranging the entire set-up, moving the chairs and other furniture around, to keep these adults interested.

Leonard, on the other hand, shared his experiences handling Catechism classes this summer, when he would often start with a game to engage the children. At his request, we will research on whether or not the 1st Reading can be at times omitted to make more time for interaction with the children. [Yes, according to the guides, the leaders have the option of using one, two or three readings, for as long as the Gospel Acclamation and the Gospel are always included]

Everybody enthusiastically agreed to the changes/addition of other activities since we are all still trying to find our bearings. We welcome changes that would make CLOW more meaningful and yet more interesting and enjoyable for the children.

Ari, whose work has taken her away for months and who's trying to catch up on CLOW activities, listened intently as Jufer shared the following main points.


On Interacting With Children:

• Create the environment. Visual elements, as well as the chance to make music and "do stuff" should be given prominence. It is most important, however, that the leaders themselves be enthusiastic and be full of energy because the children will quickly notice this and take their cue from it.
  
• Framing. When the concept is too broad, get the children engaged by using elements, objects, events, even cartoon shows, with which they are more familiar.
  
• Yes or No. To start the children participating in discussions, begin with questions that can be answered with either a Yes or a No. This lessens the "pressure" somewhat and success at answering these questions, is guaranteed to get them ready for more involved ones.
  
• Simplify questions. Once the children's attention has been caught, and if there is a need for them, ask questions that are as simple as possible.
  
• Be Creative. Working or interacting with children means the leaders have to be always on their toes. Being creative means "doing your homework" and being prepared.
  

Guides: Children's Creed, Prayer of the Faithful

It is very interesting to note that after less than six months, the children who come to the 8:15 a.m. Mass on Sundays no longer need to be invited by the priest to join the CLOW. As soon as the Opening Prayer ends, and they hear the opening notes of the send-off song "Take The Word of God With You", the children take leave of their parents and gather at the nave - always an overwhelming sight for all of us volunteers.

Although their numbers fluctuate with the changing schedules of their parents, an average of about 60 children show up every Sunday. In the past two months, a few have started to volunteer to carry the Lectionary during the Opening and the CLOW Processions. Other children have begun to overcome shyness and now play the maracas and the tambourine with the cantors. We hope to be able to post their pictures very soon.

Several months back, we were told that a parish in Cebu City also wanted to start its own CLOW and was asking for materials. To help them out, and others who might also want to follow suit, we are printing here the Children's Creed and Prayer of the Faithful that we use at Mary Immaculate Parish's CLOW. Our Outline can be found elsewhere in this blog. We'd be glad to help with resources and answer questions, too. Just email Maria at cuttinluz@hotmail.com. God Bless!

Children’s Creed

Presider: (asks the children to stand) Let us now profess our faith. I

will ask you some questions and please answer only when

I raise my hand.

Presider: Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator

of heaven and earth?

Children: YES!

Presider: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our

Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born

of the Virgin Mary?

Children: YES!

Presider: Do you believe He suffered and died for us?

Children: YES!

Presider: Do you believe that He rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?

Children: YES!

Presider: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?

Children: YES!

Presider: This is the faith of our Church and what we believe so we all say, “Amen!”

Children: AMEN!

Prayer of the Faithful

For this, our Prayer of the Faithful, our response will be:

Lord, hear our prayer.

• For our Pope, Benedict XVI, our Bishop, John Du, and all the leaders of the church, may they show us the way to Christ. Let us pray to the Lord,…
• For our world leaders, may they seek peace throughout the world. Let us pray to the Lord,…
• For the youth and the children, may You guide, protect and help them grow to be like Jesus. Let us pray to the Lord,…
• (ask the children to add an intention of their own) Would you like to add to our Prayer? … Let us pray to the Lord, …
• We make this and all our prayers through Christ our Lord, Amen.