Children: Family Corner, Children's Liturgy & Crèche
Children are a vital part of our Church community, and are warmly welcome at Our Lady's Parish. Children and young people are not only the 'Church of the future'; they are the Church of now.
Family Corner
At the back of the church we have a Family Corner with books and toys that children are always welcome to play with during Mass.
At the back of the church we have a Family Corner with books and toys that children are always welcome to play with during Mass.
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Children's Liturgy (activities during Mass)
During the 9.30am Sunday Mass at Our Lady's we offer two groups for children:
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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 younger group should be accompanied by an adult. Older children going to the older group can go on their own (they are supervised by DBS-checked adults), though parents or guardians are welcome to join them if they wish. The children return to the congregation in church after the bidding prayers. |
Children from the crèche showing their creativity to Fr. Tony
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Both Children's Liturgy groups provide a fun and safe environment for kids to explore their faith in ways appropriate to their age.
Typically in the 20-25 minutes we have together we:
Typically in the 20-25 minutes we have together we:
- sing songs and say prayers
- read, act out, and discuss Bible stories
- do activities such as colouring, puzzles, games, or drama
There are no children's groups at the 5pm Sunday evening Mass at Our Lady's or at midweek services, but children are always very welcome at any of our times of worship.
During part of the summer holidays we sometimes combine the two children's groups. Check the parish newsletter for details.
Children aged 7 or over (School Year 3 and upwards) are invited to enrol in the parish's First Holy Communion Preparation Programme (applications for 2024 Programme now closed). 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 older children and their parents / guardians to decide whether or not they are better off taking part in the older Children's Liturgy Group.
During part of the summer holidays we sometimes combine the two children's groups. Check the parish newsletter for details.
Children aged 7 or over (School Year 3 and upwards) are invited to enrol in the parish's First Holy Communion Preparation Programme (applications for 2024 Programme now closed). 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 older children and their parents / guardians to decide whether or not they are better off taking part in the older Children's Liturgy Group.
Children's Liturgy Group
Volunteers
We are always keen to welcome new catechists and other volunteer helpers for the Children's Liturgy Groups. 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 Groups. 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 Liturgy Group
Children's Involvement in Worship
As well as making provision for children to go out for their own reflection during the 9.30am Sunday Mass, we're keen to involve children and young people in the worship. Several times in the course of the year, parts of the Mass are led by children on our First Holy Communion Programme, or children from our parish primary school, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. If your child would like to be involved as a reader or server, please have a word with the parish priest or deacon, or contact the parish office.
As well as making provision for children to go out for their own reflection during the 9.30am Sunday Mass, we're keen to involve children and young people in the worship. Several times in the course of the year, parts of the Mass are led by children on our First Holy Communion Programme, or children from our parish primary school, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. If your child would like to be involved as a reader or server, please have a word with the parish priest or deacon, or contact the parish office.
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:
Children's Nativity Mass
A highlight in the parish calendar is the Nativity Mass we celebrate on Christmas Eve (normally at 6pm, preceded by carols at 5.30pm). At this first Mass of Christmas, children are invited to dress up as characters from the Nativity story (we provide costumes or you can bring your own) and take part as we enact the Gospel, interspersed with Christmas carols. The church is usually packed with standing room only, so get there early!
A highlight in the parish calendar is the Nativity Mass we celebrate on Christmas Eve (normally at 6pm, preceded by carols at 5.30pm). At this first Mass of Christmas, children are invited to dress up as characters from the Nativity story (we provide costumes or you can bring your own) and take part as we enact the Gospel, interspersed with Christmas carols. The church is usually packed with standing room only, so get there early!
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Footage of the 2019 Christmas Nativity at Our Lady's.
Children's Liturgy Gallery
