In the three years following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the most common request our team received was from parishes and communities seeking to re-establish a regular Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Many had lost not only the families who once attended, but also their regular volunteers. 

In seeking to reshape their engagement with families, these parishes and communities discovered that they needed to be intentional, creative, missional, and willing to invest in the future. 

A good number have continued to build on these foundations, broadening their engagement with families to include junior youth groups, children’s holiday programs, playgroups, and early years spaces within the church. 

If you are keen to see your parish or community take the next step in engaging the children and families in your midst, explore this collection of “how-to” pages. 

If you’re starting from scratch, we suggest beginning with Children’s Liturgy of the Word. It is familiar to many parishioners, supports parents’ participation in Mass, and meets children where they are. It connects them to the beauty of the liturgical year, creating opportunities to encounter God and grow towards full, conscious, and active participation in the Church’s life and celebrations.