Saintly Scribbles: Nurturing Children’s Participation at Sunday Mass

Kelly Gallagher
Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Welcome to Saintly Scribbles, a space where faith, imagination, and the joy of young hearts converge. I am Kelly Gallagher, Program Director of the groundbreaking Children’s Revival of Participation at Sunday Mass project, initiated by Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. 

Our mission? To infuse vibrancy into the heart of worship by empowering children.  

What Is the Children’s Revival? At its core, the Children’s Revival is a call to action. It beckons parishes to embrace the laughter, curiosity, and genuine wonder that children bring to our faith communities. Imagine Sunday Mass as a tapestry woven with threads of innocence, where little voices rise alongside seasoned prayers. Here, children aren’t mere spectators; they’re active participants, shaping the liturgy with their unique perspectives. 

Why Does It Matter? Because when children are seen, heard, and valued during worship, something magical happens. Families flourish, faith deepens, and the Church becomes a living, breathing family. This project seeks to make Sunday Mass the heartbeat of spiritual growth for all ages. 

How Does It Work? Thirteen partner parishes will lead the way. They’ll pioneer intergenerational participation, weaving children’s leadership into the fabric of liturgical life. Together, we’ll explore innovative ways to engage young hearts—from storytelling during homilies to child-led processions. As the National Eucharistic Revival transitions, our Children’s Revival takes flight in 2024. 

I am also excited to introduce you to our new program assistant, Grace Soellner. Grace will assist in various tasks within the program. Her focus in the Children’s Revival is to help your parish with data collection, provide helpful suggestions for reporting, newsletter, and blog publishing, and schedule Kelly’s parish visits. She may also reach out with surveys and other data collection inquiries.   

Join Us on This Journey!  Are you ready to ignite the spark of faith in our littlest believers? Follow our journey, allow us to share with your parish, and let Saintly Scribbles be your guide.  

Together, let’s write a symphony of grace in which every child’s scribble becomes a sacred note in the chorus of worship.  

Cheerfully in Christ, 

Kelly