The Youth Liturgy Program in Regina Catholic schools is 12-years old and has grown to the point that it has had to limit the number of students who take part. “This year we had 50 Grade six students from 10 schools,” said Miles Meyers Religious Education Coordinator for the Regina Roman Catholic School Division. “We had to limit the numbers because the class was getting too big.”
The Graduation Mass held May 14, at Holy Trinity Church was celebrated by Reverend Ron Andree with members of the graduating class providing the music and scriptural readings. Andree, with Meyers and Judy Zolc, Regina Archdiocesan Lay Ministry Program Coordinator share teaching responsibilities for the program. “There are five sessions during the year where we take them out of regular classes for this program,” said Meyers. Most are half day sessions but students spend a full day for their final class which includes the graduation mass.
The Youth Liturgy Program teaches students about the Mass and liturgy and how to develop retreats and organize liturgies within their schools. The program is limited to Grade six students because the school then has them for two more years, said Meyers. “They can immediately help organize school liturgies for the next two years and use that training and experience when they get to high school” said Meyers. And the schools do use them.
Jackie Peat, Principal at St. Bernadette Elementary school said Liturgy graduates help in class as well as school liturgies. “At our school we tend to have our classes take turns doing liturgies and they (liturgy graduates) certainly help.” Jamie Bresciani, Principal at Miller Catholic High School, said Liturgy Graduates work closely with the school chaplain in organizing our liturgies. “We have three to four masses a year and they are very much involved in organizing them and other liturgies of the word.”
Andree based his homily on the day’s readings of God’s love and on Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium, the Joy of the Gospel. He also urged graduates to get involved in their parishes.”Go to your pastor and tell him you want to help serve your church.”
