by Patricia MathsonMany of you have expressed that you
have difficulty getting families involved
in the faith formation of their children,
including participation in Sunday Mass.
Here are nine ways to encourage family participation.
Jan 08
Nine Ways to Encourage Family Participation in Sunday Mass
by Patricia MathsonMany of you have expressed that you
have difficulty getting families involved
in the faith formation of their children,
including participation in Sunday Mass.
Here are nine ways to encourage family participation.
Invite the children to join the children’s choir, train as altar servers, or be involved in other ministries. Be sure that families get details about these opportunities for their children and are encouraged to be a part of every celebration.
Connect youth with teen activities in the parish. Let them and their families know about teen liturgies, service days, and youth group events. Connect them to one another.
Explore Sunday readings with a weekly reflection question. Discuss the question with the children and invite families to do this at home. This helps families relate Scripture to their everyday lives.
Involve children and families in parish service projects. Explain the project, give families the details they need, and encourage their participation.
Promote use of the parish website. This makes parish information available 24 hours a day. Make bookmarks with the website address to give out.
Welcome families with children who have not yet prepared to received the Sacraments. Be understanding and available, and support them on their faith journey.
Explain children’s Liturgy of the Word if your parish offers it. Be sure that families understand that their children are welcome to be a part of this activity at Sunday Mass.
Share information about the parish patron saint and celebration of the feast day. This helps families know what is going on in the parish. Hand out holy cards of the parish patron saint.
Encourage families to pray together at Sunday Mass and at home. Give them ideas and resources that are easy to use. Provide prayers and activities for each liturgical season.
Patricia Mathson has many years experience in faith formation as a DRE and holds a Master of Religious Education degree. She is currently the children’s ministry coordinator at Hope Family Center in Des Moines, IA. She is the author of ten books with the latest titled 70 Sacrament Starters for Children (Twenty-Third Publications).
Source: CATECHIST Magazine, January 2010
Copyright 2010, Peter Li, Inc. All rights reserved. This article is protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, redisseminated, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any medium without the prior written permission of Peter Li, Inc.
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