A Parent’s Thanks: Making Faith Come Alive for Children

I just wanted to share a word of thanks with our religious education team at the cathedral, and the Children’s Word Liturgy program during the Sunday 10am Mass. Last night, my son asked if he could share a story with me, and of course I said yes. He told me the story of Lazarus and the rich man, and the meaning of the story and why it's important to us. I asked where he learned this, and he said he learned it during mass at the children's program the week before last, and I was blown away that he was able to retain and share all of that.

My son has ADHD and often struggles with focus and remembering certain things, and I just want to say kudos to this team for presenting this story in such a way that my son was very engaged and even remembered all that he was taught - including the story's significance. He also attends his First Communion class , and similarly always comes back with stories about what he's learned. This past week, he shared that they spoke about David and Goliath, and I asked how David was able to defeat the giant, and he said that David was strong because of his faith in God. Again, I was so blown away that he retained and shared that with me.

I was worried with his ADHD that an hour of Mass and then an hour of religious education would be difficult for him, but he looks forward to going every week, and just loves his class so much. I am beyond grateful to the team for all that they do to make this engaging for the children, especially neurodiverse children like my son. I feel so blessed to be part of such a wonderful Cathedral community with such wonderful and talented people helping my son to grow in his faith. Thank you for all that you do, we are so very grateful. God bless you.