We are now in the season of Eastertide, a joyful time when the Church celebrates Jesus’ Resurrection and the new life He brings. It’s a time to rejoice in the Good News that Jesus is alive and present with us, and to reflect on what this means for our everyday lives.
Throughout April, children will explore Gospel stories that help them think about believing in the risen Jesus - the Way, the Truth and the Life who leads us to a closer relationship with God the Father. This newsletter shares some of the content children will experience in school during April, and suggests ways for you to engage with them about it. We hope it is a useful resource for your family prayer time.
BELIEVE AND RECEIVE
In the week beginning 13 April, children focus on the Gospel account of Thomas struggling to believe that Jesus had risen until he saw Him for himself (John 20:19–31). Children explore how questions and doubts can be part of believing, and how Jesus met Thomas with patience and understanding. Through this assembly, children are encouraged to think about what it means to believe in Jesus even when they cannot see Him. They reflect on how Jesus offers peace to His friends and invites them to trust Him using their “eyes of faith”. Children also consider how believing in the risen Jesus can help them feel reassured and supported in their own lives. With your child/ren, you may also like to…
- Talk together about the story of Thomas and why he found it hard to believe at first.
- Share times when it can feel difficult to trust or believe, and how reassurance and support can help.
- Spend a quiet moment reflecting on how Jesus’ message of peace can be shared with others.
VOCATION: ABUNDANT LOVE
In the week beginning 27 April, children reflect on what it means to live a life shaped by love and purpose. Through the Gospel (John 10:1–10), they hear Jesus describe Himself as the one who leads people to life in all its fullness. Children are encouraged to think about how Jesus guides and cares for others, and how following Him helps people live well. This assembly also marks Vocation Sunday. Children learn that everyone has a vocation, or calling, and that our common vocation is to love God and love others. Through prayer and reflection, children are invited to consider how they can show love and care in their own lives. You might like to find out more about Vocation Sunday by watching our testimony video about the four vocations of the Church on the Online Parent Portal. With your child/ren, you may also like to…
- Encourage your child to notice their own gifts and how they can use them to help others.
- Spend a moment together thanking God for the people who care for and guide your family.
ACTS OF KINDNESS
During the week beginning 20 April, the daily prayers focus on acts of kindness, inspired by the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Children reflect on how Jesus walked alongside the disciples, offering comfort, understanding, and care, even when they did not recognise Him at first. Across the week, children are encouraged to think about simple, everyday ways they can show kindness to others, such as spending time together, listening carefully, offering help, and including others. You might like to use this prayer in your family prayer time:
Jesus, Thank you for showing us love in hidden ways. Help me to quietly show love to the people I am with today. Amen
Credits:
Created with images by Neuropixel - "Jesus the way truth and life" • Suppattra - "Sunbeams stream through a window in the spooky old abandoned attic room." • grape_vein - "Beautiful green summer forest.,Spring background, backdrop"