NEW RIEGEL —John Wood and his wife, Kristen, are leading

Deacon Floyd Hohman of New Riegel All Saints leads a Holy Hour for children as part of the Fun, Faith and Family program. Photo courtesy of Daniel Borer.

a new program in their parish, New Riegel All Saints, called Fun, Faith and Family.

The Woods, who have two daughters, Isabelle, soon to be 3, and Hannah, not quite 1, wanted an activity at their parish that parents and children could all attend and would eliminate the hassle of getting a babysitter.

Friends at Findlay St. Michael invited the couple to attend a children’s Holy Hour, which they liked. Their former parish, St. Andrew in Columbus, had an adult program, Fun, Faith and Friends, at which a deacon gave a talk followed by a question and answer period. Dr. and Mrs. Wood decided to combine the two popular programs into a one-night event for the whole family.

Mrs. Wood is in charge of planning the Holy Hour for children ages 13 and under. While the children are meeting in the church, Dr. Wood teaches the parents a course on Pope John Paul II’s theology of the body (TOB).

Dr. and Mrs. Wood also teach TOB in the junior and senior high school religious education program. The adult class gives parents an opportunity to understand what their children are learning in the religious education program.

Father Randy Giesige, pastor of All Saints, leads the Holy Hour for children that begins with them processing up the aisle with the Blessed Sacrament. The children all gather around the altar so they are not easily distracted. They have a Benediction service that is geared toward children, with children’s hymns that are fun but respectful, accompanied by hand movements.

Mrs. Wood made each child a rosary with 10 beads so they have something tactile to keep them focused when they say a decade of the rosary.  

The children use their whole bodies during the prayer time and are taught their bodies reflect how we pray.

Prostration is being humble before God. Kneeling symbolizes adoration or repentance. We sit when we listen.

There is a short Gospel reading geared to children followed by the children’s prayers of petition and thanksgiving. They close with the Divine Praises.

Each month they are to have a program about a different saint. This month they read the story of St. Francis and the wolf. There were props and costumes and one child dressed up like the wolf.

Children and the adults close the evening by gathering together for cookies and punch. So far, attendance has been good with 20 adults and 22 children. The parish confirmation students help with the children’s Holy Hour to earn service hours.

For information about children’s Holy Hours visit the Web site of the organization Children of Hope: www.childrenofhope.org.