Our Catholic Church invites all of us to full, conscious, and active participation in the Mass each week. This can be challenging for young children because they may not understand the words, symbols, and actions of the Mass. Children’s Liturgy of the Word, also known as C.L.O.W., gives our parish children a weekly opportunity to learn about and actively participate in the Mass. We do this by sharing more personal and simpler versions of the Sunday readings and a simple teaching. We also encourage the children’s participation with songs, discussions, activities, and opportunities to lead or help. Our goal is to provide our children with a greater understanding of their Catholic faith by empowering them to actively celebrate the Mass.

If C.L.O.W. is during the Mass, how does C.L.O.W. work?

Children begin Mass seated with their families. 
 
Following the Opening Prayer of Mass, the priest calls the Catechists and children up to the altar for a blessing; then the Catechists lead the children out of the church to the Parish Hall.
 
There, the Sunday readings are proclaimed using texts suited to children’s comprehension levels. The children also sing the Psalm. After the Gospel is proclaimed, a short homily reflection leads into the catechetical teaching. C.L.O.W. concludes with the Creed and child-friendly Prayers of the Faithful.
 
During the Preparation of the Gifts and Offertory, the catechists lead the children back to the church, where they rejoin their families and the larger faith community to celebrate the rest of the Mass.

Children in grades 1st - 6th are invited to participate in C.L.O.W. during these Masses:

Columbia Site:   Sundays - 9:00am Mass (English);   10:30am Mass (Bilingual); 
                         
Olive Site:    Sundays - 10:00am Mass (English);   12:00 Noon Mass (Bilingual)