March continues the season of Lent, a time when children are encouraged to slow down, reflect, and prepare their hearts for the events of Holy Week and the celebration of Easter.
Across the month, children will listen to Scripture, take time to pray, and reflect on how Jesus guides and strengthens them, during their Lenten journey and throughout their lives. This newsletter shares some of the content children will experience in school throughout March, and suggests ways for you to engage with them about it. We hope it is a useful resource for your family prayer time.
GLORY - WE SAY ‘YES!’
In the week beginning 2nd March, children reflect on the Gospel account of when Jesus revealed His glory to some of His closest friends. Through the story of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9), children learn how Jesus chose to show who He truly is to Peter, James and John, helping them to see more clearly and grow their faith and trust in Him. In this special moment of revelation, God the Father’s voice affirmed Jesus as His beloved Son. Children are encouraged to think about what it means to believe in who Jesus truly is and how they can grow closer to Him as His friends. They are also invited to reflect on ways they can recognise and give thanks for Jesus’ presence in their own lives, even when they cannot see Him as the disciples did. With your child/ren, you may also like to…
- Look at an image of the Transfiguration and ask what your child notices about Jesus and the disciples.
- Talk together about what it means to give God glory, perhaps by noticing good things in your day and saying thank you for them.
- Share a quiet moment together, inviting your child to talk about what they are learning about Jesus and how they are getting to know Him better.
LOVE - WE SAY ‘YES!’
In the week beginning 9 March, children reflect on the Gospel of John, where Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well (John 4:5–42). Through this story, children learn that Jesus chose to spend time with someone who others ignored or avoided, showing that His love is offered to everyone. Children hear how Jesus spoke openly with the Samaritan woman and helped her to understand more about who He is. They are encouraged to think about how Jesus knows each one of us personally and invites everyone to respond to His love. Through prayer and reflection, children consider how saying “Yes!” to Jesus’ love can shape the way they treat others and the choices they make each day. With your child/ren, you may also like to…
- Talk about how Jesus showed care and attention to the Samaritan woman, and why this was important.
- Encourage your child to think about ways they can show kindness and care to others, especially those who may feel left out.
- Take a moment to reflect together on how getting to know Jesus better can help guide everyday actions and attitudes.
HOLY WEEK
As Lent continues, children are encouraged to prepare for Holy Week, the final week of Jesus’ life on Earth, leading to the celebration of Easter. Schools have access to a Stations of the Cross resource, which helps children follow Jesus’ journey to the Cross in a simple and reflective way. Children may also take part in a Holy Week prayer resource, these prayers are guided by retellings of the events of Holy Week, from the perspective of Jesus Himself. Why not listen to the Friday prayer audio clip through the Online Parent Portal with your child/ren and make time to pause and reflect on the journey Jesus takes to the Cross in your own family prayer time.
CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S POWER
During the week beginning 23 March, the daily prayers focus on growing in confidence in God’s power. Inspired by the Gospel account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, children reflect on how Jesus shows God’s power at work, even in situations that seem impossible.
Our Lenten song ‘Walk Along With Jesus’ is used throughout the daily prayers and can be accessed on the Online Parent Portal for family prayer time at home. You may also like to use the prayer below, which encourages trust in God’s power.
Loving God, with your powerful help, help us grow strong in faith and trust in you. Teach us to love as Jesus loved and to live in ways that glorify your holy name. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Credits:
Created with images by surachat - "Cross over opened bible on wooden table with window light, christian concept." • Eyepain - "White shining blue sky with clouds" • Art Stocker - "Jesus christ crucifix cross on heaven sunrise concept christmas catholic religion, forgiving christian worship god, happy easter day, praying praise good friday sunrise background, bible gospel sunday"