Children's Liturgy & Crèche
Children are a vital part of our Church community, and are warmly welcome at Our Lady's Parish.
During the 9.30am Sunday Mass at Our Lady's in Acomb we offer:
During the 9.30am Sunday Mass at Our Lady's in Acomb we offer:
- a Crèche for younger (pre-school) infants in the Parish Hall
- a Children's Liturgy Group for pre-First Communion age children (ages 4/5+) in the Father Kelly Room
Everyone gathers in the church for the start of Mass; the priest welcomes the congregation, and then invites those children who wish to go out for the Crèche or Liturgy Group. Infants going to the Crèche should be accompanied by an adult. Children going to the Liturgy Group can go on their own, though parents or guardians are welcome to join them if they wish. The children return to the congregation in church after the bidding prayers.
Both the Crèche and Children's Liturgy provide a fun and safe environment for kids to explore their faith in ways appropriate to their age. Typically we say prayers, sing songs, read and discuss Bible stories, and do activities such as colouring, puzzles, or drama. |
During the summer holidays one combined group runs with children of all ages together; older children who would normally have gone to the Father Kelly Room need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
There are no children's groups at the Saturday evening Mass in Green Hammerton, or the 5pm evening Mass at Our Lady's, but children are always very welcome at any of our times of worship.
Children aged 7 or over (School Year 3) are invited to enrol in the parish's First Holy Communion Preparation Programme. We encourage children who have made their First Holy Communion to stay in the main body of the congregation for the duration of Mass, but every child is unique and we leave it to the discretion of parents / guardians to decide whether or not older children are better off taking part in the Children's Liturgy Group.
There are no children's groups at the Saturday evening Mass in Green Hammerton, or the 5pm evening Mass at Our Lady's, but children are always very welcome at any of our times of worship.
Children aged 7 or over (School Year 3) are invited to enrol in the parish's First Holy Communion Preparation Programme. We encourage children who have made their First Holy Communion to stay in the main body of the congregation for the duration of Mass, but every child is unique and we leave it to the discretion of parents / guardians to decide whether or not older children are better off taking part in the Children's Liturgy Group.
Volunteers
We are always keen to welcome new catechists and other volunteer helpers for the Children's Liturgy and Crèche. If you would like to volunteer or request more information, please contact the Parish Office. All volunteers in these ministries must be DBS-checked in line with Safeguarding requirements.
We are always keen to welcome new catechists and other volunteer helpers for the Children's Liturgy and Crèche. If you would like to volunteer or request more information, please contact the Parish Office. All volunteers in these ministries must be DBS-checked in line with Safeguarding requirements.
Children's Resources for parents, teachers, and catechists
If you would like to help your children get the most out of Sunday Mass, and their Christian faith in daily life, you might find these resources useful:
If you would like to help your children get the most out of Sunday Mass, and their Christian faith in daily life, you might find these resources useful: