We catechists are always thinking and planning ahead, right? I recently received a comment from Joyce asking for ideas for a children’s liturgy for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. I’m wondering if some of you have some suggestions!
Hi Joe… do you have any ideas for celebrating a Mass with children on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception? Looking for something new… we’ve done the Gospel drama for years, but hoping for something new… Know of any good videos we can possibly show at the homily? I like the above and am thinking if we can incorporate that into the Children’s Mass. As always… thanks for your blog…it’s awesome. Peace.
I’ve been thinking that it would be nice to go with a theme that focuses on God’s plan for us. God had a plan for us that involved Mary being the Mother of his only Son, Jesus. Mary still had a choice, but chose to “get with the plan” so-to-speak, even though she was not sure where it would lead. We need faith to seek out God’s plan for us and to follow it even though we are not always sure where it will lead us.
So, on the Feast of All Saints, what ideas can you offer to Joyce for a children’s liturgy on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception?
Why not use the Lectionary for Masses with Children and the EP Prayer for Children as long as the majority of the worshipping community will be children. The mass really doesn’t need a theme as we are fed in the Mass by the Word and Eucharist.
The children can help compose the intercessions for the prayer of the faithful.
Joan, I hear what you’re saying about not needing a theme, however, even a homilist will strive to draw out a main point from the Scripture readings to focus on in the homily. Similarly the music leader will do the same to guide the selection of music. What we don’t need is to feel as though children’s liturgies must always have some kind of “activity” or “gimmick” when the Mass itself is the action we are engaged in. I believe this is what you are encouraging us to avoid.
How about a Prayer of Thanksgiving After Communion read in parts by the children? You could write it with the children as a group project or draw up something yourself and distribute parts. An example might be something like: Jesus, I love you and I adore you.
Thank you for your many gifts to us.
You have been so good to me all through my life.
Thank you for the whole world and all the beautiful things that you have put in it.
Thank you for this church where I can worship you.
Thank you for sharing your mother with the whole world.
Mother Mary, pray for me and for my family.
Help me to keep my heart pure and to do what God asks me.
I want to be holy like your son, Jesus. I love him very much.
Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me how to pray.
Hear my prayers and be with me always. Amen.
Other children could present flowers to an image of Mary (e.g. BVM statue or Our Lady of Guadalupe, even an image of the Holy Family) in your sanctuary.
Thanks for sharing this Rachel
This comment came via email from Frances:
Dear Joyce;
Mary is a great example to explain to the children how our own mothers love and care for us even when things do not look good. She is the perfect example of patience and unconditional love for her Son and for us throughout our own lives. Our mothers are always there for us just as Mary was always there for Jesus. I hope this helps because I know that when I present God using the children’s own parents as examples of how God cares for them they respond with enthusiasm and are able to relate to what I am teaching them.
In the Peace of Christ Frances