Children's Participation - Praying the Mass in Word, Gesture, Mind and Heart

- Learning by Imitation
  
  Children learn liturgical behavior by imitation. During Mass, quietly explain to them what is happening. Sing hymns. Voice responses. Point out what the priest is doing. There are many ways for children to participate in our liturgy, but you are the first step.
  Resources are available in the family rooms of the church.
- Mass Kits
  
  Soon in our church you will see Kids' Mass Kits available in the Family Rooms and at the entrances. Each bag contains resources for adults to share about our faith and the Mass with the children around them. Each bag is catered to the average needs per age group, please feel free to use the bag most appropriate for your child no matter the age listed.
  
  The white bags are for children 0-3 years old and contain sensory toys that are sacrament themed, a Look and Learn: Catholic Words for Catholic Kids book from Paraclete Press, and Going to Mass slider card.
  The blue bags are for children 4-8 years old and contain sensory toys that are sacrament themed, a My First Interactive Mass Book from Ascension Press, My Picture Missal from Loyola Press, and Going to Mass slider card.
  The red bags are for children 9-12 years old and contain A Missal for Children from Magnificat and a Going to Mass slider card.
  
  Other resources are will be available in the Family Rooms such as Missals for Toddlers from Magnificat and children's books and resources about the Mass.
- Family Rooms
  
  St. Joan of Arc is blessed to have two spaces within the church where grown ups and children can retreat to express big emotions and reset. But don't feel the need to stay there. When you are ready, enter back into prayer with the congregation!
  Resources are also available in the family rooms. These resources include
  books to engage in Mass and the liturgical season, felt activity altar to mirror the altar visible below (upper room only), pews to sit in and pray together, and diaper changing area.
  
  If you spend time in the family room regularly, consider becoming a Family Room Ambassador, to help prepare the space for the next child who is there.
Gestures & Symbolism

Did you know the meaning behind these gestures at Mass?
- Gospel Greeting
  
  When the Gospel reading is announced, we use our thumb to trace three small crosses over our foreheads, lips, and hearts. The prayer can be added, "May the Word of the Lord be ever in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart."
- Genuflection
  
  We can show God respect and reverence by bending a knee to the tabernacle, where the Blessed Sacrament (the Eucharist) is kept. An easy way to tell children why we genuflect is we say "hello" and "goodbye" to Jesus in the tabernacle.
  We don't need to genuflect during a Mass, simply bow to the altar, where the sacrifice of the Mass is taking place.
- Incarnatus
  
  Latin for "being made incarnate." We say Incarnation in English.
  When we say the Creed at Mass, we bow during the line
  For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.
  We bow in reverence to God coming into the world to save us from our sins.
- Standing for the Gospel
  
  Have you ever wondered why we stand while the Gospel is proclaimed but not for the first or second reading?
  The 4 Gospels are the "Good News" of Jesus Christ. They share directly the words and actions of Jesus. We stand to reverence Jesus Christ's life and ministry.
  It also helps us be attentive to the direct words of Christ.