Sacred Heart Catholic Parish Ainsdale, Southport

Organisers - Nadine Bartlet 01704577650 Claire McKinnon.

Children are often referred to as ‘the church of the future’; however, they are also very much part of the church today. It is now widely believed that by keeping children in church during the adult Liturgy of the Word, we are effectively teaching them to switch off.
With this in mind, we aim to communicate with the children in an informal setting using words they can understand and without ecclesiastical jargon. At Sacred Heart the whole congregation is welcomed by the celebrant at the start of Mass. The children are then invited by the celebrant to withdraw to the parish hall.
The children return to the main congregation at the start of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, leading the Offertory Procession.
What does this celebration have to offer?

• It gives children an opportunity to celebrate the Word of God at their own level
• It helps children to discover that God’s Word has meaning in their lives now, as children
• It introduces the children to important aspects of the Gospel message