Children are welcome at St. Michael and All Angels, and are especially invited to attend with their parents at the Family Mass, Sundays at 9:00 AM. Mother Clare Yarborough presides at this spirited, educational and kid-friendly service. Baptism and preparation for baptism are also available.
St. Michael’s is currently working toward resuming our Sunday School and Child Care program during the High Mass at 10:15 AM. In the past we have offered Godly Play activities for children and a Journey to Adulthood program for teens. A youth group is also in the planning stages.
Weekly Services
Young Family Mass participants act out a scene from the Bible.
The 9 AM Family Mass is the center of our child and youth program. The mass is attended by babies, toddlers, older children and teens, and by adults of all ages. Children are invited to write out messages of prayers and thanksgiving, which children then read aloud. Stories from the week’s Bible readings are frequently reenacted by young churchgoers. Sacred music is fun and participatory.
Teens and older children sometimes serve as acolytes at the 10:15 AM High Mass, carrying a torch or the “boat” of unlit incense.
Special Services
Christmas, Easter, the Feast of St. Francis and Michaelmas are all special occasions for our families.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Family Mass
At the Christmas Eve Family Mass, children are invited to each bring up one of the figures from the pews and place them in the specially-made creche at the main altar. The story of Christmas is told, and familiar carols are sung.
Easter Morning
Easter morning family mass 2016
Easter egg hunt 2016
Easter Egg Hunt
The Easter morning family mass is followed by an Easter egg hunt in the park behind the church. A special section is marked off for toddlers, so they don’t have to compete with the bigger kids!
Michaelmas
Slaying the Dragon (like St. Michael, only with candy!)
Another Dragonslayer
Michaelmas is the patronal feast of St. Michael, a special day a St. Michael and All Angels. The Bishop of Arizona sometimes visits on this day. Children and teens often take part in the procession at the High Mass, which features both our St. Michael icon and a large dragon pinata. On either Michaelmas or Episcopal School Sunday a week or two later, children get to “slay” the dragon after mass and collect the candy inside!
Feast of St. Francis
Feast of St. Francis – Bless the Beasts and the Children!
Blessing of the Animals – from tiny turtles, lizards and fish to big dogs!
The Feast of St. Francis is an especially fun time for families, because of the Blessing of the Animals! Pets of many sizes and species are blessed at all the morning masses, and children hear about the life and legend of St. Francis of Assisi.
Episcopal School Sunday
Song and a sea of red on Episcopal School Sunday.
After mass on Episcopal School Sunday, St. Michael’s Boy Scout troop serves pancakes!
On Episcopal School Sunday, students from St. Michael’s School participate at mass, serving at the altar, singing and sometimes even dancing! Students, teachers and parents wear the school colors (mostly red). Afterward, our local Boy Scout troop serves a pancake breakfast in the Smith Parish Center.
Baptism
Baptism in the Labyrinth
Baptism generally takes place at the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints’ Day or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany). Infants are baptized in the font at the back of the church (in the nave). Older children and adults have a more immersive experience in the baptismal pool in the center of our labyrinth.
Activities
Family Game Night is held on a frequent basis, and special activities for children or teens arise from particular feast days throughout the church year. Students and older children are also invited to help out in monthly sandwich-making for the Casa Maria soup kitchen. St. Michael’s hopes to institute a youth group in the near future.