Materials:
Liturgical Colors
Materials: Felt pieces in each liturgical color.
Activity: Cut out a piece of felt with each liturgical color and place the color of that Sunday in the box. Have your child get out the piece of felt when they see the priest and the color of his vestments. This helps them associate a color with the time of year. It would be beneficial to share with your child what every color means before Mass so they can understand why the colors change and why it is important.
• Green: Represents Ordinary Time, symbolizing hope and the growth of the Church.
• Purple: Used during Advent and Lent, symbolizing penance, preparation, and sacrifice.
• Red: Represents the Holy Spirit and martyrs, used on Pentecost, Palm Sunday, and Good Friday.
• White: Symbolizes purity, joy, and the resurrection, used during Christmas, Easter, and on feasts of saints who were not martyrs.
• Rose: Used on the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) and the fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday), symbolizing joy amid a penitential season.
Crucifix
Materials: A small, child-sized crucifix.
Activity: Holding the crucifix in their hand can help the child remember the sacrifice Christ made for us. During the Nicene Creed, the Consecration, and the preparation of the gifts are just a few moments in the Mass where they can reflect on the crucifix.
Coloring Page
Materials: Printable coloring pages.
Activity: Print out a coloring page that relates to the reading, or a saint whose feast day is that week. This is a way to start a conversation after Mass on how the coloring page connected to
the reading!
Tea Candle
Materials: Battery-operated tea candle.
Activity: This candle can help them understand the light in their hearts. They can hold the candle like they do the crucifix and reflect on the fire in their heart. They could also use the candle as a sign that they feel God’s presence. They can turn on the light when they feel closer to God in the Mass or when they hear a new prayer they want to learn.
These items can be customized to fit your child's interests and your family's traditions. The goal is to make Mass a meaningful and engaging experience for your child, encouraging them to be more aware of what happens during Mass and prompting questions and discussions about their faith.
By incorporating these simple, meaningful items into a Sunday Mass kit, you can help your child connect more deeply with the Mass. This kit provides tangible ways for children to understand and participate in the liturgy, transforming their experience from mere attendance to active engagement. As they learn to recognize liturgical colors, reflect on a crucifix, engage with coloring pages, and light a candle, they develop a greater appreciation for the beauty and significance of the Mass. Ultimately, this Mass kit is a step towards nurturing a lifelong relationship with God, making each Mass an opportunity for your child to grow in faith and understanding.