I've been leading the Liturgy of the Word for Children for many

[hedgehog]

years at my parish. We are being merged with another parish this month. Today I asked the pastor of the other parish who will presumably be the pastor of the new parish about resuming the liturgy after the summer recess in September. He doesn't really like the idea at all, says that only children under 5 should attend and that any child who attends can't take Communion. Also, the person doing the Liturgy of the Word can't take Communion because that person isn't really attending Mass unless they hear the homily. The person leading the Liturgy of the Word for Children should attend another Mass to fulfill the Sunday obligation.

Comments?

Should I note that this is the pastor who scheduled the Easter Vigil at 4:30 Saturday afternoon and kept it so short it was over by 6PM?

[AngryOldDem]

1. That's certainly the way to make the Church relevant to younger generations

:eyes:

Never fails to amaze.

ON EDIT: I've seen this done and typically the children's liturgy dismisses when the offering is collected and the priest is preparing the Eucharist. Kids rejoin their families in the pew in time to go up for Communion. There is no reason why the adults leading the children's liturgy could not also take part and fulfill their obligation.

[TexasProgresive]

2. Will they never learn

On your last sentence that is not allowed- the diocese sets the time for the begining of the Easter Vigel so that it is fairly dark. Anytime after that time is OK. When the liturgy is done correctly it has to last at least 2 hours.

On your other situation - what's happening to your current pastor? It sounds like the pastor of the receiving parish feels threatened and so is squashing the idea of the childrens' liturgy instead of empowering it.

[AngryOldDem]

3. It defeats the whole purpose of a vigil Mass for anything

From what I had always understood, a vigil Mass has to begin after "sundown," just the Jewish Sabbath does. That, to me, inplies a time of 5 p.m. or later. I would imagine, though, that extenuating circumstances could alter the time a particular parish holds a vigil Mass (emphasis on "could"). Dunno if such a time change would be enough to warrant a dispensation from the local bishop.

There are many readings for the Easter Vigil; some may be omitted, as I also understand. But yes, if done properly, the Easter Vigil is a long Mass and appropriately so.

The fact that this pastor is so intent on killing a Children's liturgy still boggles my mind. And I find it insulting that he seems to hold it as a threat that those who conduct such liturgies are not fulfilling their obligation. For all he knows, the leaders of these liturgies may be attending an earlier or later Mass.

[hedgehog]

4. I found out recently that technically, our current pastor is the good man

who took a leave of absence two years ago. Apparently, he is pastor until his term ends or another is appointed. We have a priest running things who was presented as "priest -in-charge" because he had health issues so that he might have to retire abruptly. The good man on leave? I'm beginning to think that he was having results drawing more and more people to Church and that the diocese was complaining about his activities because of it. You can't close down parishes that are increasing attendance. Of course, he did have the gay couple bring the gifts up to the altar one time. Can't have that kind of activity now, can we? Need I add that my gay daughter is now estranged from the Church under the new pastor?

[tjwmason]

5. This strikes me as rather silly.

At the parish I usually attend, the children (up to about 10 I'd guess from looking at them) leave at the beginning of Mass and return at the Offertory so that they can be present for the Consecration and Communion.

The suggestion that a person's obligation hinges on the homily is particularly odd - I know that they used to insist on people being there by the Gospel, but making a big deal out of the homily strikes me as a Priest who sees his input (i.e., the homily) as the central part of the service.

[AngryOldDem]

6. Some pastors have to show that they are boss...

...is all I can figure. If done well, a Children's Liturgy of the Word does not have to be disruptive or a distraction to the rest of the liturgy. I cannot imagine a better way to engage young children and encourage their interest in and the development of their faith.

And as I said above...the concern that the leaders of the Children's Liturgy won't be fulfilling their weekly obligation is a weak excuse not to have the program. Obviously, the adults leading it must take their obligation seriously or else they would not be involved with this ministry.

If the guy doesn't want it in his parish, all he has to do is say so. No weight need be thrown around unnecessarily.

[hedgehog]

7. "If a guy doesn't want it in his parish"

Now that's an entire new can of worms. Whose parish is it, any how?

[AngryOldDem]

8. That's my point

He could do just that, no questions asked, no explanations given. Some priests think their parishes are their little fiefdoms, and like to make that known. But they aren't. I hope your pastor reconsiders and sees the benefits of Children's Liturgy.

[pnwmom]

9. I'm so sorry. It sounds like your new pastor has an

overdeveloped sense of self-importance.

One reason we picked our current parish is because we liked having the Children's Liturgy.

If your new pastor is writing a sermon so that it is comprehensible to five year olds, it must be painfully boring to adults. And vice versa.

[hedgehog]

10. Update: after several letters back and forth, LoWfC has been

cancelled at my parish. Seems that although this is authorized by a Vatican Document and is practiced all over the world, Father thinks it's "bad liturgy". He also pointed out that the document dates from 1973 and hasn't been up-dated. Must be one of those things left over from Vatican II that he expects to go away pretty soon! Iexpect the children will go away sooner, there's been a real drop-off in their attendence compared to other years.
.

[Joe Chi Minh]

11. Is he really technically correct? I think sometimes we had a visitng missionary

make an appeal, instead of the celebrating priest giving a homily. Go to another church.

[hedgehog]

12. I'm joining the choir instead. This is my parish. I'll be here when he's moved on. nt

[Joe Chi Minh]

13. Good. I'm pleased for you.