Children's Liturgy of the Word

See how excited Katherine is?  That's because she made her headband during Children's Liturgy of the Word at Mass last Sunday.  This was a big accomplishment for us.  Our parish has Children's Liturgy of Word during the 9 o'clock Sunday Mass.  The kids go to the Parish Hall and learn about that day's Gospel while making crafts or coloring.  In the past, I've encouraged Katherine to go but at the last minute she gets scared and runs back to me.  She was always afraid to go by herself.  She's pretty shy and doesn't know any of the other kids in our Parish.  (I'm working on that.)  Last Sunday on the drive to Mass, I talked to Katherine about the Children's Liturgy of the Word.  She wanted me to go with her and I explained it was only for the kids, not the mommies and daddies.  She said she wanted her cousins to go with her which is a great idea.  The only problem with that idea is we don't have family in Sioux City.  I explained to Katherine that her cousins don't live in Sioux City and go to a different church.  She told me it was scary and I told her she didn't have to decide right then if she wanted to go.  She could decide at the last minute in church, which is what she did.  When it came time for the kids to gather, she said no, it was scary and she didn't want to go.  Suddenly she changed her mind.  I walked to the front of the church with her so she could get her blessing before leaving.  Standing next to us was a high-school girl.  I quietly asked if she was one of the helpers and she said she was.  "Katherine, this is one of the teachers.  She's going to help you make some fun crafts today," I told Katherine while pointing to the girl.  "Do you want to make some fun crafts today?" the girl asked Katherine.  When the blessing was complete, the girl took Katherine by the hand and they left the church.  I could tell Katherine was nervous.  She looked back a few times and had a nervousness in her posture as she walked out but she made it.  Even Father McLoud was impressed.  I kept an eye out for her when the kids started coming back into church.  It's left up to the kids to find their parents when the Children's Liturgy is done.  (I wish they'd do that differently.)  The same high school girl who took Katherine's hand to go to Children's Liturgy was walking with her again and holding her hand as they looked for me.  I gave Katherine a big wave and they both saw me.  Katherine came running over, wearing her headband.  We were both very excited.  Katherine's verdict on Children's Liturgy: It was fun but she missed me.