Inspired by the Spirit-filled sense of vibrancy and joy at the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass and the way it has reinvigorated our Confirmation and Youth Ministry programs, we have established a Collaborative Sunday 9am Family Mass.
This family-centered liturgy serves as the centerpiece of our Religious Education program for children in Grades 1-5, with the children central to and actively involved in all aspects of the Mass.
The Family Mass rotates between St. John the Evangelist Church and St. Paul Church on the same schedule as the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass from early-September through mid-May (on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month the Mass is at St. John Church; on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month the Mass is at St. Paul Church.)
The Sunday 9:00am Family Mass is a wonderful way for families young and old to participate in prayer and worship together.
The Family Mass Program includes:
- Music that appeals to children with upbeat, child-friendly hymns.
- Homilies meaningful to both children and adults.
- Opportunities for children of all ages to participate in the music of the Mass and to serve as greeters, ushers, and gift bearers.
- Older children are encouraged to be trained as lectors and altar servers.
- Designated liturgies that support the faith development of the students in our Religious Education Program for Grades 1-5, our Saint John School students, and our young pre-school children.
- Donuts and Coffee after Mass – in Powers Hall at St. John and in the Parish Hall at St. Paul