Children’s Liturgy takes place during the 10.30am Mass every Sunday, except the last Sunday of the month. This is a Family Mass, with lots of children’s participation.  It concludes the theme that the children have been learning about during that month.  The children have a folk group of violin, keyboard and clarinet, but would welcome any more musicians who would like to join them.The Children’s Liturgy follows an American idea, with a lot of emphasis on learning by fun and using material in short concentration bursts.  This way the children retain far more information and knowledge, but enjoy it at the same time.  We have three tables in the hall, run by mums and dads with the help of some of our older children. The age range is from 5 to 12, although younger children may come out with their parents/carers to enjoy what the children are doing and be part of the parish family.

Table one:

We follow the gospel reading of that Sunday and produce relevant material on a board which the children then take to the altar when we join the congregation in church.

Table two:

This follows the theme of the month, i.e friendship, love or Lent etc. there are lots of activities that support the theme and as a result of this, our children’ s numbers have increased by more than double.

Table three:

This is for the First Communion candidates, they are following a book, but have folders to put their worksheets into.  This enables the children to put their own individual thoughts and reflections into their learning about God and the Catholic Church.  It makes for very varied and interesting reading!

Annette Wake & David Law

Our Leaders for the New Generation

 Annette Wake is the Parish Catechist and leads the Children’s Liturgy. This also includes the preparation of our young people for their First Holy Communion.  Annette is a Registered Nurse working on an emergency surgical unit.  She has 3 children and lives in Hailsham.  Annette describes herself as a young and active 48 year old.  She has always been a committed parishioner of St. Wilfrid’s and takes a lead role in many of the fundraising events.

I am the Safeguarding Representative for St. Wilfrid’s parish.I carry out vetting procedures re roles within the parish that involve young children or vulnerable adults.  I also assist Annette Wake in running the Children’s Liturgy.  I moved to Hellingly in 1998 and was initially part of the Hospital Community. Later I moved to Hailsham and have been active in St. Wilfirid’s Parish for the past 10 years.  I have 3 children and currently work in schools in Hastings as the Neighbourhood Schools Police Officer.

My wife Elizabeth and I moved into the area in November 2009.  We were welcomed into the Parish Community most warmly by Fr. Rory, Deacon John, organist, John, and parishioners generally.  One Saturday evening, Deacon John asked me to serve Mass, in the absence of anyone else to serve.  Following on from this, I was asked to join with those who were training the servers generally.  I was originally trained myself by a priest who was formerly the MC at Westminster Cathedral. We are blessed with a wonderful team of young people, who are prepared to develop their not inconsiderable existing skills to the point where they will be enrolled into the Archconfraternity of St. Stephen – the Servers’ Guild.  Please pray for us all as we strive towards that goal.