Youth and Children

Easter 2022

The children’s liturgy group decorate the 2021 Christmas Tree

Pentecost 2021

Children’s Liturgy Pentecost 2021

On Sunday the Children’s Liturgy Group made this display which represents the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire surrounding the chrism that is used at Confirmation. If you look carefully under the lectern you can see the cake the children made which celebrates Pentecost as the birthday of the Church.

Easter 2021

For the Easter Light Party; the Easter story for children told by puppets Rosie and Dexter, plus an activity pack of quizzes, crafts and things go to http://ctid.pub/lightpartyeaster

Children's Liturgy

Every Sunday morning at the Church of Our Lady and just before the sermon begins, the children are able to participate in their own 'Liturgy of the Word'. This follows the Church guidelines and includes a Penitential Rite and Gospel Reading. There is a child friendly discussion about the reading and an activity follows. The children present their work at the end of the sermon and rejoin the congregation.

PENTECOST

To celebrate Pentecost the children made tongues of fire to add to their display in front of the altar. The feet symbolise the disciples going out into the world to spread the Good News after they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. We too can do this in our own small way in our daily lives.

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THE CHILDREN’S LENTEN JOURNEY

Each Sunday during Lent, the children work on things to add to the Lenten Journey which is laid our infront of the Altar. On Palm Sunday the Palms are added to the display as we consider Our Lord’s journey into Jerusalem.

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The final photo shows the display which has been completed at Easter.

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Sunday 16th July 2017

Today the Children's Liturgy Group said goodby to Oliver and Casper who are returning with their family to their homeland of Poland. We will miss them and wish them well for the future.

Above: Oliver, Casper, their mother Ewa and the Children's Liturgy Team.

Above, Oliver and Casper with some of their friends from the Liturgy Group.

Sunday 22nd January 2017

Today's liturgy was based on the Gospel reading from Matthew 4:12-23.

The children heard that Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when he called fishermen to be his disciples. He called Simon, who was known as Peter, Andrew his brother and another pair of brothers called James and Zebedee. He called them to be 'Fishers of men' and they immediately left their boats and their families and followed him.

The children each made their own individual boat and together produced this marvellous display which has been placed beside the altar.

A Guide For Newcomers

Our Lady of Dover

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HAS a special seating area near the Altar, the small person's Grandstand, for a good view.
HAS toilets in the Sacristy.
HAS a sound-proof room very near to the front (entrance by the Lady Altar).
HAS a porch which is effectively sound-proofed.
HAS a carpet so youngsters can sit on the floor, and walk around without disturbing anyone.
HAS pictures and crayons leaflets and books to help children concentrate.
HAS a priest who doesn't even notice.
HAS parishioners who sympathise.
HAS a sound system which is more powerful than your child's lungs (this takes some believing we know).

Please

DO bring their colouring books, etc.
DO sit with the youngsters near the front.
DO remember that the Priest likes to catch the children’s attention, and wave at them.
DO feel free to go with the children at any time: eg: take them to the toilet, special quiet room, gather them up, (but gently ! ie: let them see you coming) or just walk up and down at the back with them.
DO take them out if they are really upset.
DO take their shoes off, if they intend to run up and down the bench, but try to dissuade them from this if possible.
DO try to anticipate the special periods of the Mass and encourage the children to join in; eg: Gloria, Holy Consecration, Great Amen, Our Father, Silent Prayer during the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving, and after Communion.
DO encourage them to join in, in appropriate ways; eg: singing (even in different words, such as Baa Baa black sheep, etc), waving at the Priest’s arrival and departure, and at the acclamations, shaking hands at the sign of peace, the childrens Liturgical reading, colouring in their picture, imitating the actions of the Priest.
DO encourage them to come with you to Communion and collect their sheet at the end.
DO remember Nanny Smith’s advice: ie: train your child in private, not in public; (eg: teaching him/her to say thank you).

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