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Children’s Liturgy of the Word
If we want our children to truly love and become part of the faith, then we have to find ways to make it relevant to them from an early age. As Director of Children’s Faith Formation Jo-Lee Buncic says, this is what our parish’s Children’s Liturgy of the Word is all about. The program aims to creatively communicate the Sunday readings to children in a meaningful and accessible way.
“It provides our children with an opportunity to be engaged in the Mass,” Jo-Lee says. “The words to the children are in their language. When they go back into the church for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, you can see how excited they are, running to their families to resume the rest of the Mass.”
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Before the COVID-19 outbreak, Children’s Liturgy of the Word was available during all weekend Masses for children in pre-K through fifth grade. Dismissed just before the first reading, children were able to listen to the Scripture readings, and then participate in activities and crafts, all designed to help God’s Word come alive before returning to their families to participate in the Eucharistic celebration. However, this all changed as the pandemic forced the ministry to reinvent itself.
“In the very beginning, I worked with one of (the other catechists) in our department and she made a video while I was in the chapel and just acted as if the children were right there in front of me,” Jo-Lee says. “After that, I invited any of the catechists who were interested in taking a turn making a video so that we could continue making this ministry available to the parish. Those that said ‘yes’ — then at home — would use their iPhone or whatever they had. If they had children at home, their children participated by doing some of the readings or prayers.”
Thanks to the catechists’ willingness to serve, Jo-Lee says the ministry has been able to continuously prepare and share videos every Sunday since March 1. By giving of themselves in this way, they’ve been able to help keep faith relevant and accessible to our youngest members during a truly unprecedented time.
“In one aspect, it’s very humbling because it’s embarrassing to make a video and to see yourself,” Jo-Lee says. “So in one way, it’s very humbling because you step aside and let the Holy Spirit really guide you and help you realize that your purpose is not to entertain — your purpose is to share the Word and God’s message. I think that has played a big part in what we are doing.” All videos are streamed through the parish’s YouTube Channel under the “Children’s Liturgy of the Word” playlist. Not only have the finished products been beneficial for our parish children, but Jo-Lee says that many adults have expressed how much they enjoy watching the videos, as well.
“The feedback has been positive because it’s a continuation and a familiarity that we haven’t lost this ministry,” Jo-Lee says. “Things are so different. Things have changed so dramatically, but here’s this one little thing once a week and that is reassuring.”
The catechists of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word program look forward to the day when we can gather together as a community of faith once more, and they are grateful to be able to continue serving the children of God in this manner.
