6th Sunday of Easter, Year C

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you."

(From the Gospel)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

We have talked a lot about God the Son - Jesus - and God the Father, but not very much about God the Holy Spirit.

In a couple of weeks we are going to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit has many other names. Advocate, Paraclete, Comforter, 3rd Person of the Holy Trinity, and a few more. 

We receive the Holy Spirit for the first time in Baptism. We receive Him many other times in our lives. 

When Jesus was going to go back up to Heaven, His friends were sad. They still didn't quite understand how things were going to work with Jesus gone. But we already know Jesus had left them (and us) His Body and Blood in the Eucharist, and He was also going to send them the Holy Spirit to help them in everything they did for Him.

We will think a bit more about the Holy Spirit over the next few weeks.

Thank you, Jesus, for sending us the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for all of Your wonderful gifts.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

5th Week of Easter, Saturday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth."

(Response to the Psalm )

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

When you feel joyful, what do you like to do?

Do you like to run, or shout, or jump, or clap your hands?

Many people feel like shouting for joy when they feel joyful. The feeling of joyfulness gets so big inside them that it wants to come out in a burst. It might be words, or a song, or simply a noise.

Sometimes when we think of all that God has done for us and how much He loves us, we feel joyful like this - we might cry out with joy to the Lord.

Other times we don't want to make any noise, but it is like our heart is singing with joy to the Lord.

Let's be quiet for a few moments and think of the great love of God, and see how we want to tell Him of our joy.

Thank you, Lord, for loving us so much. Thank you for filling us with Your joy.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

5th Week of Easter, Friday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"I call you friends, says the Lord,
because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father."

(Gospel Acclamation)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Jesus says He has made known to us everything He has learnt from His Father.

Jesus could have kept so much to Himself, but He loved us so much He wanted to share everything with us.

What sorts of things has Jesus told us - about Himself and the Father and the Kingdom of God?

Which one do you like best? 

What do you like about it?

Thank you, Jesus, for wanting to tell us so many things about You, about the Father, and about the Kingdom of Heaven.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

5th Week of Easter, Thursday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you."

(From the Gospel)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Jesus told us, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you."

I wonder how the Father loves Jesus. What do you think?

The Father loves Jesus so perfectly that it's hard to imagine. No matter how much we love, we could never love as much or as well as the Father.

Jesus says He loves us in the same way. With the same perfect love with which God the Father loves God the Son, God loves us.

This is amazing! God loves us as He loves Himself!

Let's think quietly for a moment about this great love that God has for us. What would you like to say to Him about this?

Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so perfectly and so well. It makes me so happy to know I am loved in this way.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

5th Week of Easter, Wednesday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"Let my mouth be filled with your praise, that I may sing aloud;
my lips shall shout for joy, when I sing to you, alleluia."

(Entrance Antiphon)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Today we are going to think some more about praising God.

Sometimes when we pray we don't really know what to say to God. One thing we could do is to think of all the wonderful things about Him. We can tell Him that we think these things are amazing, and thank Him for them.

God does so many wonderful things for us and loves us so much. Let's see how many things we can think of to praise and thank God for today.

Thank you, Jesus, for teaching us how to talk to You. Thank you for this precious time with You.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

5th Week of Easter, Tuesday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,
and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
they shall speak of the glory of your reign
and declare your might, O God"

(From the Psalm)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Do you know what a creature is?

A creature is something that has been created, by a creator.

Who created all things?

Yes, God created all things. He is our Creator, and we are His creatures.

Why do you think God's creatures would want to thank Him?

Why do you think His friends would "repeat their blessing"? Do you remember what a blessing is? A blessing is to say good things.

What can we bless God for?

What can we thank God for?


(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

5th Sunday of Easter, Year C

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"I will bless your name forever,
O God my King."

(Gospel Acclamation)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

I will bless your name forever, O God my King.

Do you know what it means to bless?

To bless means to say good things.

I will say good things about Your name forever, O God my King.

What good things can we say about God?

What good things does He do? Or say? What good things is He? 
Let's see how many good things we can think of to say about God.

Thank you, God, for all the wonderful things You do. Thank you for all the wonderful things you say. Thank you for being so wonderful.


(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

5th Week of Easter, Monday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives
do I give it to you,
says the Lord, alleluia."

(Communion Antiphon)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

"Peace". What does this word mean to you?

Maybe it makes you think of peace and quiet.
Or no fighting.
Or something else.

Jesus says He gives us peace.

What kind of peace do you think He gives us?

He says He doesn't give it in the same way as the world does. 
What do you think He means by that?

Do you think Jesus gives a very special kind of peace?

I wonder what kind of peace it is.

Could it be peace in our hearts?

The peace that comes from knowing we are always being looked after?

What do you think?

Thank you, Jesus, for giving us Your peace. Thank you for making sure we are always looked after.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

4th Week of Easter, Saturday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"O chosen people, proclaim the mighty works of him 
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Alleluia"

(Entrance Antiphon)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

What do you think of when you think of God's wonderful light?

Do you see an actual light? 

Or is it a feeling? Maybe a feeling of happiness, or safety, or that someone is close by, caring for you.

It is so wonderful that God called us into His wonderful light, so wonderful that we are now never in true darkness. Even if things look dark, the light of God is always there, chasing away anything that makes us feel afraid - because God is so good, and He is more powerful than anything that can scare us.

Thank you, God, for calling us into Your wonderful, protective light. Thank you that we never need to be afraid.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

4th Week of Easter, Friday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"There are many rooms in my Father's house;... 
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going."

(From the Gospel)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

"My Father's house" - what do you think Jesus means by this?

He says that He is going to prepare a place for us there.

Then He says that we know the way to the place where He is going.

What do you think that way is? Or who?

The Father's house, where we will one day be with Jesus and the Father forever - I wonder what it will be like?

Thank you, Jesus, for showing us the way to the Father's house. Thank you for preparing a special place for us there. Thank you for your limitless love!

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

4th Week of Easter, Thursday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens."

(From the Psalm)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Today's Psalm praises God's love and truth. 

"I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord", "your love lasts forever". 

"my mouth will proclaim your truth", "your truth is firmly established as the heavens."

How do you feel when you think about God's love lasting forever? 

Do you feel like singing too?

Or do you feel more like sitting quietly with God, just being very happy to be with Him, in His love?

Or maybe you feel like doing something else.

Whatever you want to do, let's do it now.

Thank you, God, for your everlasting love, and for your truth.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

4th Week of Easter, Wednesday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"Whoever believes in me
believes not in me
but in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me,
sees the one who sent me.
I, the light, have come into the world,
so that whoever believes in me
need not stay in the dark anymore."

(From the Gospel)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Yesterday we talked about how we never need to be afraid because Jesus the Good Shepherd will make sure we are never lost. 

Today He talks to us again about His wonderful light.

First, He tells us that believing in Him and seeing Him is the same as believing in and seeing the one who sent Him. Do you know who sent Him?

God the Father sent Jesus into the world so that whoever believes in Him no longer needs to be in the dark, but will now be in the light - the light of Jesus.

How do you imagine this light to be? 
Is it like normal light? 
Or is it more of a feeling? 
Or something else? 
Do you think it has a colour? 
When you think about the light, how does it make you feel?

Let's spend a few moments thinking about this wonderful Light, and talking to Jesus, the Light of the world.

Thank you, Jesus, for bringing Your light into the world. Thank you that we never need to be in the darkness anymore!

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

4th Week of Easter, Tuesday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost"

(From the Gospel)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

We have been talking a lot about the Good Shepherd and eternal life. 

Today He reminds us again that His sheep listen to Him, follow Him, and will have eternal life.

He also says something else - "they will never be lost".

How does it make you feel to know that the Good Shepherd will make sure that you are never lost?

Sometimes we can feel a little scared and unsure about things, but the Good Shepherd says that those who follow Him will never be lost. He will always be there looking after them.

This is amazing! How truly wonderful to have such a Good Shepherd always at our side, leading us in His path of love, and keeping us safe, wherever we are!

Thank you, Jesus, my wonderful Good Shepherd. Thank you.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

4th Week of Easter, Monday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and his sheep follow because they know his voice."

(From the Gospel)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

"The Good Shepherd leads His flock, he goes ahead of them, and his sheep follow because they know his voice."

How do you think the Good Shepherd leads His sheep? 

There's leading like leading an animal, such as a sheep, but there are other kinds of leading, too.

We could be led in how we act, or speak. In the things we do or don't do.

How do you think the Good Shepherd leads us to act?

How does He act?

The Good Shepherd always acts with love. Everything He does is done for love - for love of the Father, and for love of us.

How wonderful to be able to follow the Good Shepherd in His way of love!

Thank you, Jesus the Good Shepherd, for leading us in Your way of love.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

4th Sunday of Easter, Year C

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"Jesus said:
'The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;"

(From the Gospel)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Do you remember the story of the Good Shepherd? Who is the Good Shepherd?

Jesus says, "The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me."

The sheep that the Good Shepherd cares for know His voice. They know who He is, and they trust and love Him. They know that He will always look after them. They know that He knows each one of them and loves them. Because they know and trust Him, they follow Him.

Can you think who follows the Good Shepherd? Who knows who He is? Who trusts and loves Him? Who knows that the Good Shepherd will always look after them? Who does the Good Shepherd know, each one by name, and love?

How wonderful to be a sheep of the Good Shepherd.

Thank you, Jesus the Good Shepherd, for caring for Your sheep so well. Thank you for knowing each one by name, and loving each one, and calling each one to follow You. Amen.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

(Note to parents: Apologies if your children have already figured out that they are the sheep - mine haven't, somehow, so I'm giving them as many opportunities to figure it out as possible! Though really, one can never overstress the unconditional love of the Good Shepherd! Also apologies for not having notes in the reflections anymore, in case those were useful. The boys seem to engage a lot better if they read it themselves, so needed to simplify it.)

3rd Week of Easter, Saturday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"You words are spirit, Lord, and they are life;
you have the message of eternal life."

(Gospel Acclamation)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Yesterday we talked about how eating Jesus' Body and drinking His Blood will give us life.

Today He tells us of another way He wants to give us life. Did you notice what it was?

Jesus' words are life. 

What do we mean by "Jesus' words"?

Jesus' words are all the things He says to us, all the things He tells us about Him and the Father and how to live with Him forever.

Can you think of some of the things He says that tell us how to live with Him forever?

Perhaps about how the Good Shepherd's sheep follow Him and know His voice?

What about the mustard seed? Or the pearl of great price? 

What other things do you remember that Jesus told us?

All of these wonderful words are contained in the most special book in the world, the Bible, and in four special books of the Bible called the Gospels. Jesus left these words with us so we can know and love Him better each time we read them and think about them.

Thank you, Jesus, for giving us Your Word. Thank you that we can read your Word and get to know and love You better each time.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

3rd Week of Easter, Friday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"my flesh is real food
and my blood is real drink. 
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood 
lives in me
and I live in him."

(From the Gospel) 

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Do you remember what we talked about yesterday?

We talked about how, at Mass, the bread become Jesus' Body and the wine become Jesus' Blood.

Do you remember the special words that make this happen? 

They are the Words of Consecration.

And do you remember the really long word that means that the bread and wine have become Jesus' Body and Blood?

Transubstantiation. That's a hard word to say!

Today, Jesus tells us more about how important it is to eat His Body and drink His Blood. 

He says, "my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink."

What do you think He means by "real"? The word "real" has more than one meaning. I wonder which one He means here?

Then He says, "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him."

When we eat Jesus' Body and drink His Blood, He comes to live in us, and we go to live in Him, too!

There's something very amazing about eating Jesus' Body. Normally when we eat, the food becomes part of us. But when we eat Jesus' Body, we become part of Him! We become more like Him every time we eat His Body!

Thank you, Jesus, for giving us Your Body to eat and Your Blood to drink. Thank you that we can become more like You, part of You, every time we receive You at Mass. Help me to prepare my heart very well to receive You when it is my time.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

2nd Week of Easter, Wednesday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son;
everyone who believes in him has eternal life."

(Gospel Acclamation)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Do you remember what we talked about yesterday? 

We talked about another name for Jesus, "Son of Man", and how Jesus the Son of Man died and rose again so we could have life with Him for eternity.

Do you remember what eternity means?

Eternity means forever.

God the Father and God the Son love us so much that They want us to be with Them forever. God the Father sent us His only Son. His only Son. Who is the only Son of God the Father?

Yes, Jesus. Jesus is God the Son. He chose to come to us, and to die and rise again.

God is so huge, so wonderful and amazing, and we are so small. But He loves us as His children, and He wants to share His love with us for eternity, forever. 

How wonderful it is to be loved like this. Thank you, God, for your great love!

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

3rd Week of Easter, Thursday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. 
Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; 
and the bread that I shall give 
is my flesh, for the life of the world."

(From the Gospel) 

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

The other day we talked Jesus being the bread of life. In today's Gospel Jesus tells us more about this.

He says, "I am the living bread which has come down from heaven." Jesus came down from Heaven.

"Anyone who eats this bread will live forever" - what do you think Jesus is saying here?

Do you think He's saying that whoever eats Him will live forever? How can we eat Him?

Then He says, "the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world."

It really does sound like He wants us to eat His flesh, doesn't it? But how can we do that? Do you know?

At Mass, something amazing happens. The priest says some special words, called the Words of Consecration (can you say "Words of Consecration"?), and God uses those words to change the bread into Jesus' Body, and the wine into Jesus' Blood. It still looks like bread and wine, but it is now truly the Body and Blood of Jesus.

This amazing change is called Transubstantiation. (Can you say "Transubstantiation"?) 

Can you see how Jesus can give us His Body, over and over, and it never runs out? How we can eat His flesh, without having to eat flesh?

He gave this wonderful give of Transubstantiation to His disciples, and now any priest, when he says those special Words of Consecration, can make ordinary bread into Jesus' Body and ordinary wine into Jesus' Blood. 

Jesus wanted to stay with us so much that He made sure we would always be able to have Him with us, in the Mass and in the tabernacle. 

What a great love He must have, to go to so much trouble for us!

Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so much. Thank you for giving us Your Body to eat so that we may have eternal life, life with You forever.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

3rd Week of Easter, Wednesday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord;
I know them and they follow me."

(Gospel Acclamation)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Today we hear again about sheep. 

Whose voice do the sheep listen to? Who do they follow?

Yes, Jesus the Good Shepherd. His sheep know His voice, He knows them, and they follow Him.

How wonderful it must be to be a sheep of the Good Shepherd!

How do you think the sheep of the Good Shepherd feel? 

How would you feel if you were one of the sheep of the Good Shepherd?

Who do you think the sheep of the Good Shepherd are?

Thank you, Jesus, for being such a Good Shepherd.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

3rd Week of Easter, Tuesday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"I am the bread of life, says the Lord.
He who comes to me will never be hungry;
he who believes in me will never thirst."

(Gospel Acclamation)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

"I am the bread of life." What could Jesus mean when He says this? 

When else does Jesus talk about bread and eating? 

Do you remember at the Last Supper, Jesus took the bread and said, 'Take this and eat, this is my Body'?

And what did He say at the end of supper?
He took the wine, and said 'Take this and drink, this is my Blood.'

When else do we hear these words?

Yes, at Mass.

"I am the bread of life, says the Lord. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst."

What do you think Jesus is trying to say to us?

Thank you, Jesus, for giving Yourself to us in the bread and the wine. 

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

3rd Week of Easter, Monday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"The Good Shepherd has risen,
who laid down his life for his sheep and willingly died for his flock, alleluia."

(Entrance Antiphon)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Do you know the story of the Good Shepherd? What happens?

In the story of the Good Shepherd, we hear about how the Good Shepherd loves His sheep. He knows each one by name, and they follow Him, because they know His voice. 

We also hear how he would lay down his life for His sheep; He loves them that much!

On Good Friday, the Good Shepherd did lay down His life for His sheep, but He rose again, so that He would be with them always. 

Do you know who the Good Shepherd is?

Jesus the Good Shepherd still knows each of His sheep by name, and they still know His voice, and follow Him. Now He can never leave them again.

Who do you think they sheep might be? Who does the Good Shepherd call? Who knows His voice and follows Him?

Thank you, Jesus the Good Shepherd, for laying down your life and rising again. Thank you for taking up Your life again so that your sheep will never be separated from you again.


(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"Cry out with joy to God, all the earth; 
O sing to the glory of his name. 
O render him glorious praise, alleluia."

(Entrance Antiphon)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

God is so wonderful. Today we are thinking about how we can tell Him about how wonderful He is.

"Cry out with joy to God". We could say joyful things to God. "Joyful" is a bit like "happy." Can you think of joyful things to say to God?

"Sing to the glory of his name." We could sing songs about how wonderful He is. There is a special song about this that we sing at Mass on Sundays, called the Gloria. "Glory to God in the highest!", we sing. Would you like to sing some of this song now?

"Render him glorious praise." "Render" means give. We can give God glorious praise, telling Him all the wonderful things He does for us, for others, for the world. Can you think of anything to praise God for?

Thank you, Lord, for all the wonderful things you do for us. You care for us so well. You are love.


(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." 

2nd Week of Easter, Saturday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"O chosen people,
proclaim the mighty works of him 
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light, alleluia."

(Entrance Antiphon)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

We've talked a few times now about darkness and light. 

Do you remember who is the Light of Life and and the Light of the World?

Yes, Jesus! 

Before Jesus came, many people lived in a spiritual darkness. They did not know God.

But God wanted everyone to know Him, so He sent Jesus to spread His light all over the world. 

What is the light?

The light is the love of God. The Lord has called all of us out of darkness to live in His wonderful light - the light of His love.

Let's be quiet and think about this for a time: That the Lord has called us to live in the light of His wonderful love. How do you feel when you think about this? What do you want to tell God when you think of His love? (You can tell him quietly in your heart or out loud.)

Thank you, Lord, for bringing us into your wonderful light of love!


(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."