People often say, “Children are the future of the church.” Although there is truth to that, the statement is not complete. Children are a genuine part of the church now. By reason of the sacrament of Baptism they share with us in the call to worship, to witness and to serve. Certainly, the way they accomplish those tasks differs from the way we do, but they are surely called, as we are, to hear God’s Word, to praise God in prayer, to show others by their example what they believe, and to reach out in care and concern for the needs of others. The church is for everyone. Just like a family, it includes people of all ages and abilities or disabilities. Of course, young children do not have the same attention span as older folks, so a good solution is to have Children’s Liturgy of the Word, also called Children’s Church, available at some or at least one of the Masses. This enables the children to go out during the Liturgy of the Word and to hear and discuss the readings on their own level. This will help them to sit more quietly during the Liturgy of the Eucharist when they join the assembly again. This is a way of showing hospitality to them.

In being hospitable to the children, we are being hospitable to their parents. It is difficult to pack up a family, especially with younger children, to bring them all to Mass. It is difficult to worship when one needs to attend to the children, comfort them, or discipline them. In spite of the parents’ best efforts, sometimes the children cry or are otherwise distracting. The hospitality ministers can be encouraged to go to a family if the child is crying and ask if they can help. All of us are hospitality ministers to one another. If we are seated near a family like this, we also can offer assistance. This would turn the distraction into an act of compassion and care. Even if we can’t do anything to help, instead of letting the distraction be an annoyance, we can turn the situation into the subject of our reflection and prayer: prayer for the child or for the parents, reflection on Jesus as a baby who cried, or on God’s goodness in blessing our families with children. 

Positive reinforcement is also hospitable. If a child is behaving well, complimenting the child will encourage future good behavior and will make the parents feel pleased and accepted. A disapproving look will cause only hurt or negative feelings and might make the parents feel that they are not welcome and should stay home. 

As for the “future of the church,” one way to ensure that future is to involve the children now. Many parishes have a children’s choir. Many older choirs allow children to participate. Children can participate as hospitality ministers, especially greeters. This is an activity that a family can do together. Consider recruiting families for this ministry. Once the children are old enough, they may enjoy greeting others at the church entrance. Doing it as a family can be fun. Of course, altar serving is a ministry open specifically to children, although the usual age requirement is fifth grade. Get them involved while they’re young, make it enjoyable, and they will feel part of the community and want to stay connected. 

Featured Resource

Lent will be upon us in about a month. If you are looking for a great way to help the members of your community deepen their spirituality and relationship with Jesus during this season, A Closer Walk with Jesus is perfect for them. It is written in a very easy-to-read style. The daily commentaries are brief. The reflection questions challenge the reader to honest introspection and invite personal growth. The Sunday commentaries are longer and can be used by Scripture study groups, Renew groups, or any groups that gather on a weekly basis for reflection on the Sunday readings. Special bulk pricing makes this affordable to purchase for all the families in your parish or to make it available for them to purchase at reduced cost. I have read this book, and I intend to use it for my own personal Lenten journey.

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Week 1:

Ordinary Time

The color green in the church tells us that we are back in Ordinary Time. Actually the word “ordinary” does not mean routine but “counted” or “ordinal” time. We enter into these 2nd, 3rd, 4th  Sundays ... all counted one after another.  Winter Ordinary Time is just a few short weeks until we enter into the season of Lent. Summer and Fall Ordinary Time comprises the longest portion of the Liturgical Year, covering as much as six months of the Calendar. Ordinary Time challenges us with the demands of building the Kingdom. We listen to the Word of God which keeps reminding us of our call as Christians to internalize the teachings of the Lord and to live out what we proclaim. The miracles and the parables of Jesus are, for the most part, the subject of the Gospel readings. The task that we are given is the same task Jesus had—to proclaim the reign of God in our midst—so this is hardly an ordinary mission. The prayers of the Mass ask for the gifts necessary to accomplish this task and they carry the same message: “Bring forth the Kingdom!”
 

Week 2:

Catholic School Week

We begin the celebration of Catholic Schools Week at the end of January. This is one of the ways the church affirms its commitment to children. The Catholic schools exist to assist the parents in their duty of passing on their faith to their children. The schools provide an atmosphere in which the same ethics and morals are taught as are taught and modeled in the home. The schools assist and support the parents in their vocation as parents. The parents are the primary teachers of their children and their actions are the prime examples the children witness. 
 

Week 3:

Feast of the Presentation

The feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2nd) traditionally involved processions and candles. The feast recalls the Jewish rite of an infant’s presentation forty days after birth. Blessing candles was the traditional way we remembered Jesus—Light of the World— as well as the call to ourselves to be light for one another. This celebration has been called the feast of light. Traditionally, all the candles used for the coming year are blessed as we remember the story of Jesus being presented by his parents at the Temple of Jerusalem. In words used as a canticle of praise in the evening prayer of the church, the prophet Simeon foretold about the Child: “A light of revelation to the Gentile world, and the glory of his people, Israel.” Once again, the church celebrates a basic gift, the gift of light, a gift that we take for granted, and it gives it new meaning.  Besides the light that we share in our homes and work, we can be reminded that Jesus is the Light of the World. 
 

Week 4: 

Feast of Saint Blaise

The day after the candles were blessed on the feast of the Presentation, we celebrate the feast of St. Blaise (February 3rd), the patron saint of the healing of throats. Candles that were blessed the day before are fashioned in an X shape and used to bless the throats of those who wish it. This is frequently done following the General Intercessions, but may also be done instead of the final blessing at Mass. This latter option might be preferred on those occasions when February 3rd occurs on a Sunday.