Children’s Liturgy of the Word
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A Space for Our Littlest Parishioners to Experience the Word of God
f you’re looking for a way to get your littlest Catholics more involved in the liturgy, then Children’s Liturgy of the Word might be just the thing for them. During the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass, children are invited to attend the Children’s Liturgy, where they will experience the Gospel reading in a way that they can understand and relate to their own lives. Tracy Urban leads Children’s Liturgy of the Word and has seen growth in the community and in the children through her work in the ministry. “Children are super important to our community, and by providing a space for them to hear the Word of the Lord and share fellowship with their peers, they look forward to coming to church,” Tracy says. “It’s great for the older community to see youngsters and feel a sense of hope and encouragement.” Tracy has many years of experience working with youth and children. She brings with her 19 years of youth ministry experience, 27 years working in faith formation, and a background in early childhood education. Fr. Eduino knew that working with the young children was Tracy’s area of love and expertise, and he encouraged her to restart Children’s Liturgy of the Word. The 9 a.m. Mass was the perfect place to start, as it was already a growing community of families with young children, many of whom meet after Mass for Play and Pray. During Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Tracy and a team of parent volunteers present the Gospel message to the children, ages 3 through 10, in language that they can comprehend, followed by an activity such as a game or craft, perhaps a familiar story that ties into the Gospel reading and songs. Children’s Liturgy lasts through the homily, then the children return to Mass and their families. Tracy is often struck by how the children absorb the faith and live it out in their own simple, innocent way.
“They’re filled with faith and wonder and they are so sincere,” Tracy says. “It really touches my heart and helps me in my own faith development. I get so much back from their sincerity and genuineness.” Tracy hopes to see Children’s Liturgy of the Word grow into a Children’s Ministry that brings the Children’s Liturgy to more Mass times and even extends beyond Mass. She would love to see it offer more to families as they journey through the liturgical year, providing more opportunities for community, faith formation, and support of families. Parishioners reached out to Tracy after the last ministry fair, and she would like to see more parents and parishioners take on an active role in the ministry. Participating in the formation of young children is rewarding for all involved. “I see our faith in them and I see the Lord in them,” Tracy says.
If you would like to learn more about Children’s Liturgy of the Word, or to get involved, please contact Tracy Urban at 916-509-0625 or 1tracyju@gmail.com. 7
