Children's Liturgy of the Word

Mary Immaculate Parish, Dumaguete City

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Changes We've Done

As we mentioned before, the CLOW Team has instituted several small changes that we felt adds to the children's sense of belonging and caters to their need to participate in the "drama" that is the liturgy. Now, a child carries in the CLOW lectionary in the Opening Procession and places it on the altar below the "adult" lectionary.

Two kids pick up lit candles from the altar, the priest blesses everybody and gives the CLOW lectionary to the child who carried it in the Opening Procession, and the three children lead the rest to the Marian Hall. All this time, the community remains standing while singing the send-off song. They sit down for the readings after the children have left.

During CLOW, we've lately been singing the verses, too, and not just the responses for the Responsorial Psalm. Almost all the children now volunteer to play the percussion instruments we have. Since we only have 2 maracas and 2 tambourines at present, 2 sets of kids take turns: one set for the Psalm, another for the Gospel Acclamation. And then, when we finish earlier than the main church and have time for more songs, another batch of kids come to perform with the cantors.

When the kids go back inside the church, they have learned to keep the nave clear for the Offertory Procession. Making the sign of the cross when they get blessed with the holy water, has also become customary for them. It's a good thing that the priests, Fr. Balongag (shown here) and Fr. Flores, always make sure each and every one of them gets a good sprinkling.

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