Each week, you see a parade of children exit the church during Mass and go up the steps to the Mary of Magdala Chapel. It’s a beautiful sight, isn’t it?
Here at Good Shepherd, we call this time “Listen to the Lord.” It’s our own name for our children’s Liturgy of the Word. Yes, they are celebrating the Liturgy of the Word, just like you (but maybe a little squirmier.)
“Listen to the Lord” Order of Worship
- We introduce ourselves each week just in case there are visitors or people we don’t know very well.
- We read the First Reading and Gospel from the children’s lectionary in words little ones can understand.
- We sing the psalm and gospel acclamation, sometimes adding hand motions to help get the wiggles out and engage in worship.
- We discuss what the scriptures of the weekend mean to us children, our friends and our families.
- We pray petitions for people and things on our hearts.
- If we have time after all of that, we even make a craft or start a coloring page that relates to the Liturgy of the day.
We do all that in that short 20-30 minutes before we return to celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist with the rest of the assembly. It’s invigorating and we are so happy that we have such amazing children and catechists here to partake.
Feel free to send your 3K-5th graders to “Listen to the Lord” and know that they are receiving the Word of God into their minds, lips and hearts too.
No registration is required.
All are welcome.
And if feel called to join our children as a “Listen to the Lord” leader or assistant, contact Corinna.
Corinna Ramsey
Director of Child & Youth Ministry
Mary Oswald
Formation Ministries Associate