Sometimes, moreover, if the place itself and the nature of the community permit, it will be appropriate to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, including a homily, with the children in a separate, but not too distant, room. (Directory for Masses with Children, 1973).

St. Matthias offers a Children’s Liturgy of the Word program for 3 to 6 year old children, called “Promise” during the 9:45 am Sunday Mass. This is scheduled to resume on Sunday, September 22, 2024. Register Here.

This program was developed in response to popular request, and relies entirely upon volunteers to prepare learning materials and care for the children. We trust that families who benefit from the program will participate accordingly. If you’d like to volunteer, contact Sabrina Harper. The frequency with which we will offer it will depend on volunteer response.

Parent Volunteers

Our parent volunteers are trained in the parish and encouraged to attend workshops for their own enrichment and to earn credit towards Basic Catechetical Certification (see Sabrina for more information).

Safe Environment

Each year, we act in accordance with national mandates implemented in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People for fingerprinting and/or background checks of all catechists and volunteers who have regular contact with young people. Also, all catechists and volunteers are required to complete an online course called, “Protecting God’s Children” before they begin their ministry and is renewed every three years.

Also, each year children will be guided through the “Empowering God’s Children Program” designed for specific age groups which provide a theme that introduces and builds on the basic concepts of the Teaching Boundaries and Safety Guide. The material is developmentally appropriate for each age group and includes content and activities that reinforce the message.