Children's Liturgy of the Word at Blessed Trinity is celebrated with children from Kindergarten age until the time that a child begins sacramental preparation for First Communion.

The Liturgy of the Word with children is a formative experience. It is worship, and although the experience brings children knowledge and formation, it is not religious education or catechesis, but, simply, liturgy, the ritual celebration of God's presence in the Word, the Holy Scriptures.

Celebrating the Word is not complicated. It is very simple. Moreover, it is the simplicity of our ritual gestures, proclamation of the Word, music-making and environmental effects that awaken a profound sense of God's presence with us, in and through the ritual.

Dismissals for children (see the age limits above) are scheduled frequently during the liturgical year, at Blessed Trinity's 10:00 a.m. liturgy.

The children are dismissed from Mass before the first reading. They walk to the Dismissal room with their facilitators to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word there. The room is arranged with signs of the liturgical season (Advent, Lent, Ordinary Time, etc.). There is a table with a candle, and a large banner on the wall. A colorful symbol to remind us of some aspect of the day's readings is placed on the banner each Sunday.

The children sit on the carpeted floor, or on chairs semi-circled around the room. They listen to the scripture of the Sunday as it is proclaimed from the Children's Lectionary. They sing the Responsorial Psalm and the Gospel Acclamation, then listen to the Gospel being proclaimed, reflect on what they have heard, listen carefully to each other share how God has spoken to them in the scripture, and then pray the General Intercessions together.

The children return with their facilitators to the Mass at the end of the priest's homily, in time for the preparation of the Altar. Ministers for Children's Liturgy include leaders (facilitators) and assistants, cantors, and instrumentalists. Adult facilitators meet to train and share with each other at least once a year.

Diocesan Policy requires fingerprinting and a successful completion of a criminal background check for all individuals involved in this ministry, and other specific ministries in the parish. The purpose of the policy is to ensure the safety of all those entrusted to our care, particularly youth, the elderly and the disabled. The policy applies to any person who is entrusted with the care and supervision of children or who, in their ministry, have regular individual contact with the elderly or disabled. Please contact the parish office with questions or for assistance related to this matter.

To find out more, or to sign up for this ministry, call Deirdre Sweet at the parish office, 407-277-1702, ext. 127. Kim Aldinger leads this ministry and schedules the facilitators. Musicians who want to be a part of this ministry, please contact Hugh Bowen at 407-277-1702 ext. 105.