Children’s Liturgy

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

The children of the parish are invited to celebrate the Liturgy of The Word with their own catechists at Sunday morning Mass. Offering the children a Liturgy of The Word, which is suited to their age and adapted to their stage of development, can become one of the key ways of helping them grow in faith.

The children gather in the church and begin the Mass with everyone else. After the Sign of the Cross and the Greeting, the Priest calls the children forward, presents them with a Bible and the adult leaders process with the children to the “upper room”. The children come back into church at the offertory, where they display what they have done and then some of them take part in the Offertory procession.
This is not a closed group – all primary school age children in the church are welcome and encouraged to attend.

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel reflection: What do you remember from today’s reading?

Jesus is welcomed into the house of a woman called Martha. Martha has a sister called Mary who is pleased to see Jesus and immediately sits down to hear him speak. Martha is busy with tasks. Perhaps she is getting Jesus a drink, making him some food, making sure he has everything he needs.

Why is Martha cross with Mary and what does she say to Jesus? Martha wants Mary to do some of these jobs too and she asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. How does Jesus reply? Jesus tells Martha that Mary is doing the right thing by taking time to sit and listen to him. What do you think this story teaches us about listening to Jesus?

When should we be busy and when should we be quiet? Both are important in our lives, but we need to get the balance right. Where do we find Jesus in our lives and how do we make time to listen to him? Jesus is in everyone, even when we least expect him. Do you make time for other people when they want to talk to you? Do you make time to listen quietly in prayer? Or are you always busy, rushing from one activity to the next?

Spending time quietly can help us sort out our ideas and feelings, we can listen to God who helps us think things through and we can work out what God is asking us to do next. Quiet time can help us to recognise Jesus in other people and to see how we can help each other.

This week make some time for God. When you have made some time for God, then make some time for doing what God asks of us: treating all people with kindness, love and respect.

How will you make time to listen to God this week?

Parents, grandparents and guardians, please feel free to share today’s Gospel with your children and grandchildren alongside the activities.

Look below for fun colouring pages and puzzles