Central part for children at Mass

By A Staff Reporter Children will play a central part in the celebration of special Children's Mimes outlined in an official directory published by the Vatican's Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship last month.
The directory advises active and conscious participation by the children in preparing the altar, reading the lessons, answering questions during the homily, composing the bidding prayer, bringing gifts to the altar, singing and playing musical instruments. As liturgy is seen as an action of the whole person, "participation through gesture and bodily attitude is to be highly recommended" the directive states.
The directory suggests: "In order to get through to the children, it will sometimes be useful for the priest to use his own ivords at the invitation to the act of penance, for example, or to the prayer over the gifts, the Lord's Prayer, the peace and communion." Daily Mass, such as at boarding schools, is not recommended for children because of "the risk of boredom."
Golden jubilee celebrated by St. Saviour's
To mark the Golden Jubilee of St. Saviour's Church, Tolland Bay, Isle of Wight, the Sanctuary has been modified, involving the moving forward of the permanent marble altar to be used now for Mass facing the people instead of the temporary altar. The altar was consecrated by Bishop Worlock, Bishop of Portsmouth on December 12. Twelve priests from the island and the mainland concelebrated with the Bishop in the Mass of Consecration.
At the end of Mass, which was attended by clergy of other denominations from the local churches. the Bishop presented the following awards: The Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice to Mr. Herbert Runyard for services to the Church, particularly for his work for Catholic Schools on the island.
The Cross Pro. Ecclesia et Pontifice to .Mr. James Joseph Moloney for services to the Church in the Diocese, and Catholic organisations. Inc Silver Medal of the Guild of St. Stephen for Altar Servers was presented to Mr. Charles Croad. for long, faithful and outstanding service. Bible readings should be preceded by introductory remarks explaining them and children could take different parts in the reading of a scriptural passage where the text allows, the dliectory states. Episcopal Conferences are encouraged to compile their own lectionaries for children's Masses.
The use of processions to underline the idea of community and of visual elements in season — the paschal candle and liturgical colours and ornaments — is encouraged in the iiirectory. "Liturgy must never he presented as something arid and purely cerebral," the directory said, also emphasising the value of silence as part of the celebration. "Even children, in their own small stay, are capable of meditative prayer."
The participation of adults in special children's Masses is not discouraged and the directory suggests that the homily could be preached by a parent. If facilities are availah!e it is suggested that children have a special service for the first part of the Mass and homily, joining the adult congregation for the Canon and celebration of the Eucharist.
Fr. Harold Winstone, Director of the St. Thomas More Centre for Pastoral Liturgy, Manor House, Londdn, who translated the directory, said it was a supplement to the General Instruction on the celebration of the Eucharist, issued in 1969.
"I think you will find much of what is recommended is already being done in many parishes — this is giving it the official stamp," he said.
The St. I humas More Centre has already published a "Mass fur Young Christians" and Fr. Winstone said the new directory will not require any alterations to be made in it.
He agreed the main danger was that children used to specially designed school Masses would come to find the general parish Masses too fiorin-i. 'the children's Masses are designed for those up to the age of about 12.
The directory contains one hopeful suggestion for parents of very young children. "Infants who are unable or unwilling to take part in the Mass can be left in a separate room in the charge' of parish helpers."
Er. Winstone is sending copies of the 55 paragraph directory to Deaneries in England and Wales.