• The children arrive in the church narthex. They are greeted by their catechist who takes attendance, and gives them a pre-printed name tag.

• From there, the children enter the church in silence. After blessing themselves with holy water, they go to their reserved spot in their reserved class row. The children have been taught to appreciate the beauty of enjoying the church "all to themselves" for a few minutes, as they pray silently in their pews. Recently, we began praying a Rosary to help calm everyone, and put ourselves in the presence of Jesus through Mary. The children's focus is to be on the beautiful mural or the tabernacle where Jesus is truly present.

• The catechists come in to the church to join their class as we begin. After the church bells toll at 4:30 or 6:15, we begin Evening Prayer. The children have been taught that Evening Prayer is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, and is prayed by Catholics all over the Earth so that we fulfill the command to "Pray without ceasing". As we pray Evening Prayer, we are joining our prayers to countless others who are also praying from convents, monasteries, rectories, churches, individual's homes, etc. We pray for one another, ourselves, and mostly we pray for those who have no one to pray for them, especially those souls who died that day. Thomas Maddock has been leading Evening Prayer this year.

• Next is what we call our "Little Catechesis". Seminarian Thomas has been taking the lead on this lately, but sometimes he and I do this together. On special occasions, Fr. Brian comes to give this lesson, and we always enjoy that! This small teaching is usually tied to the Liturgical Calendar to help the children live the Church Year by celebrating Saint's Feast Days, and the most important Holy Days in our Universal Church Calendar.

• Then there may be an announcement or two, after which the children who have the duty of carrying their class candle that week come up to the altar rail to get their candle and lead their class out of the church. The catechists accompany their students out of the church, again genuflecting when they leave the pew, blessing themselves with holy water on the way out, walk across the courtyard, (under the watchful eye and protecting sword of St. Michael the Archangel) to the school classrooms where they will have 35-40 minutes of grade level lessons with their catechist until parents or guardians pick them up. It's a lot in 60 minutes!