Welcoming our Children to the Liturgy
Make a special “church bag” of quiet, soft toys and books for your children to use during Mass. You may want to consider using church or prayer related items.
Teach your children some of the easier prayers we use at Mass. Start with teaching them the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father, and the Sign of Peace. You can also teach your child to cross their arms over their chest when in the Communion line. This indicates they desire a blessing from the Minister of Eucharist. Young children love to participate!
Before coming to Mass ≈ talk with your children about church manners ≈ use quiet voices, move quietly and slowly.
Take some time to explore the church sometime when it is empty. The church is open daily Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. You may enter using the southwest door. Together, you can discover the many wonderful and interesting parts of the church and learn about the history of Holy Trinity.
Sit near the front of the church so your children can see and hear.
Children do wriggle and make noise! We view occasional noise and interruptions as part of our family life at Holy Trinity.
If your child is increasingly restless and/or noisy, it is probably time to briefly go out of church. Feel free to go to the back of church or into any of the vestibules. You can still hear and see Mass from these areas. There is a drinking fountain in the southwest vestibule and a bench you can sit on. After your child has settled in, return to the assembly to continue worshipping.
Sunday Child Care is available during the 10:30 am Mass on most Sundays for children between the ages of 18 months to 5 years old. The location is in the Preschool Building and doors open at 10:15 am. The Preschool Building is the white house on the southwest end of the Holy Trinity parking lot. Sunday Childcare is staffed by an adult with a snack provided. For information, call the parish office at 255-3162, ext. 1128 or email parishoffice@holytrinitydm.org. Freewill donations are welcomed.
Holy Trinity invites your child to participate in the Celebrate Program. The Program is open to all children ages 3, 4 and 5 (children must be 3 by September) on the first and third Sundays during the 10:30 am Mass throughout the school year (September—May) and requires registration and a fee. For information, contact Maria Burleson, Celebrate Coordinator at 255-3162, ext 2207 or mariab@holytrinitydm.org.
Children ages 4 through 4th grade are welcome to participate in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 8:30 am and 10:30 am Masses. No registration or fee is required. The children are dismissed after the Opening Prayer and return during the Offertory Hymn. This gathering is part of the celebration of Mass and the children hear the readings and homily appropriate to their level. It is not a formal religious education class but also not a childcare environment either. For information, contact Maria Burleson at 255-3162, ext 2207 or mariab@holytrinitydm.org.