FAMILY MASS GROUPS
PREPARING TO CELEBRATE EUCHARIST

ENTRANCE
Options: procession of everyone, procession of presider, servers, banners, liturgical movement, gesture, song, antiphon, music, incense, cross, candles. Symbols focusing on the readings, season, feast day, etc.

INTRODUCTION
Options: Brief intro to the celebration, presider or other.

PENITENTIAL RITE
Options: Rite 1, sprinkling rite. Accompanying music.
Rites 2 & 3 prepare statements recognising God’s mercy and goodness. Penitential prayers sung or said, sung responses. Dramatisation, mime may be suitable.

GLORIA  (Not in Lent or Advent)
Options: preferably sung. Accompanied with movement, gesture, background music

*The purpose of this rite is to prepare us to listen to God’s Word and to celebrate Eucharist. It should not be so elaborate as to take away from the Liturgy of the Word or the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

READINGS
Options: Brief intro, solo reading, group reading, mime, dramatization, posters, slides, overheads, background music. Silence after proclamation

PSALM
Options: Preferably sung. Psalm read, response sung, background music, one soloist or reader, choir or several readers.

WELCOMING THE GOSPEL
Options: Alleluia depending on the season. May be omitted if not sung. Gospel procession with candles and book of the Gospels.

GOSPEL
Options: Brief intro, solo reading, group reading, mime, dramatization, posters, slides, overheads, background music. Silence after proclamation

HOMILY
Options: By presider or at children’s masses a competent individual, formal, dialogue, illustrated. Silence after homily

PROFESSION OF FAITH
Options: Sung, said, Nicene Creed, Apostles Creed, renewal of baptismal promises.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Options: Prepared, set spontaneous prayers, sung response, said response.

PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR Options: Cloth, book, microphone, candles, corporal, background music, hymn of praise.

COLLECTION Options: Monetary and/ or gifts for those in need.

PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
Options: Procession with bread and wine, collection, other gifts (e.g. food, clothing for those in need), commentary, song, music, movement.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Options: Eucharistic Prayer for Children 1, 2, 3, Eucharistic Prayer 1, 2, 3, 4. Dialogue sung. Holy Holy and Great Amen sung.

OUR FATHER
Options: Sung by all, said by all with gestures.

SIGN OF PEACE
Options: Said, silent prayer, gesture.
LAMB OF GOD
Options: Preferably sung while the bread is broken and wine poured.

CONCLUDING RITE

NOTICES (After Prayer after Communion)

Options: A few brief words said by the presider or other person. The notices express the connection between liturgy and life

BLESSING (Prayed by presider)
Options: Simple form, extended form, special blessing.

DISMISSAL
Options: Procession of everyone, procession of presider and servers, banners, cross, movement, gesture, song, music.

Where two or three are gathered in my name, I shall be there with them.”
(Mt 18:20)

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD

Elements of the Liturgy

Procession from main assembly to separate area
Welcome & setting the scene
First Reading
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading
Welcoming the Gospel
GOSPEL*
HOMILY (Associated Activity)*
Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
Procession to main assembly

* Gospel and homily are never omitted

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