Children’s Liturgy of the Word - Kidz Word
The Children’s Liturgy of the Word is celebrated each Sunday (during school terms only) in both our churches. It gives all children of the Parish communities an opportunity to meet, regardless of which school they attend.
St Gerard's, Carlingford
Kidz Word is held in the Parish Meeting Room during the 9:30am Mass at St Gerard's, except when we have our Family Kidz Masses once a month. The children are invited to the sanctuary after the greeting at the beginning of Mass to go with the team leaders to the Meeting Room. It is not a Sunday School but is rather a liturgical celebration of the Word parallel to that same celebration in the Church with the adult community, but presented in a way that helps the children learn about that Sunday's Gospel reading. They sometimes get to watch a short video clip of the Gospel, role play, dance to a song, do some craft, a Word Search, etc... depending on which one of all of our creative leaders lead the group! At the conclusion of Kidz Word, the children pray before returning to be with their families for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Our Lady Help of Christians, Epping
Kidz Word at OLHC is held in the Parish Hall right next to the Church during the 10:15am Mass. It follows the same format at both churches, except once month at OLHC, the children attending Kidz Word also get to bring forth the Gifts at Offertory and lead in the Prayers of the Faithful.
Family Kidz Mass
Once a month at Carlingford at the 9:30am Mass, excluding school holidays, the children are actively involved in the Mass. They look after the Procession of the Gifts, the choir, prayers, etc. They also have an opportunity to show their creativity and talents in their worship. It is an enjoyable and fun time for our children, without being hard or onerous.
On some Sundays of the year, OLHC School students lead the prayers at the 8:30am Mass, which is organised by the school.
At both churches, the children also take part in the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass, which is our Christmas Family Mass, as well as the Easter Sunday morning Mass which is followed by an Easter Egg Hunt and parents are treated to a morning tea spread prepared by our volunteers!
For further information about our parish Children's Ministries for your children to participate in or if you would like to become involved in this fun ministry of bringing our faith alive to the children, please contact Lynn.Siau@bbcatholic.org.au who will be delighted to hear from you!