Saturday 22 April 2023

Second Sunday of Easter (Year A) Feast of DIVINE MERCY. April 16th April, 2023

 Children’s Liturgy (Oratorial)

Second Sunday of Easter (Year A) Feast of            - Colour: White/Gold

MERCY. April 16th April,  2023                                             - Theme: Divine Mercy

Welcome: The Feast of Mercy is celebrated on  the first Sunday after Easter, that is on the  Second Sunday of Easter, which is called the  Divine Mercy Sunday today…

 

The greatest of  the graces given, is of complete forgiveness of  sins and punishment. 

Ask: What was last week’s theme? <“Sun.”> The sun gives warmth, When Jesus rose  from the dead! We became better than new!  And loves us the way we are; 

 ==== 7:00 - 7:03 === 

Entrance Song 

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, ……. 

Jesus loves me! This I know, 

For the Bible tells me so; 

Little ones to Him belong; 

They are weak, but He is strong. 

Refrain: 

Yes, Jesus loves me! 

Yes, Jesus loves me! 

Yes, Jesus loves me! 

The Bible tells me so. 

Jesus loves me! This I know, 

As He loved so long ago, 

Taking children on His knee, 

Saying, “Let them come to Me.” 

 

//V// In the name of the Father, and of the Son,  and of the Holy Spirit, 

//R// Amen. 

//V// May The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, And the love of God, 

And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 

be with you all. 

//R// And with Your Spirit. 

==== 7:03 - 7:08 ==== 

NEWS TIME :-) 

==== 7:08 - 7:11 ==== 

Penitential Rite 

Dear little children, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred  

mysteries. 

 

Confession of our sins 

I confess to the Almighty God, 

and to you, my brothers and sisters, 

that I have greatly sinned 

in my thoughts and in my words 

in what I have done and In what I have failed to do  -strike the breast 3 times as you say through my fault 

through my fault 

through my most grievous fault 

THEREFORE I ask Blessed Mary Ever Virgin all the Angels and Saints 

and you, my brothers and sisters 

to pray for me to the Lord our God… 

Have Mercy on us oh Lord 

For we have sinned against you. 

Show us, Oh Lord, your mercy 

And grant us your salvation. 

You were sent to heal the contrite of  heart. 

 Lord have Mercy 

 Lord have Mercy 

You came to sinners 

Christ have mercy 

Christ have mercy

You are seated at the right hand of the  father to intercede for us. 

Lord have mercy. 

Lord have mercy. 

May the almighty God have mercy on us,  forgive us our sins and bring us to life  everlasting?  

AMEN 

==== 7:11 - 7:14 ==== 

With a loud voice lets sing the Gloria! GLORIA - Eco 

Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to the  Father...x2 To Him be glory forever!!x2  Alleluia Amen x2 

Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to the  Son...x2 To Him be glory forever!!x2  Alleluia Amen x2 Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to the  Spirit...x2 To Him be glory forever!!x2  Alleluia Amen x2 

 

Opening Prayer: 

God of truth, fill us with your Spirit and  strengthen our faith, so that we may not  doubt your love for us. Give us courage  to spread your peace throughout the  world. 

Amen. 

=== 7:14 - 7:19 ==== 

Liturgy of the Word 

Introduce the first reading. 

Say: Today’s first reading is from the first New  Testament book of Acts. In this reading, we  learn how the apostles and other early  followers of Jesus treated each other. If you  think about Jesus’ message, how do you  think his followers would treat each other?  <let the children respond> Let’s pretend  that we don’t know about Jesus. His  followers are strangers to us. Let’s listen to  this reading and see if the way the apostles  lived is the way most people in the world  live. 

A prepared child/children come and  take the reading. 

 

First Reading is from the book of  

Acts 2:42-47 

42 And they devoted themselves to the  apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the  breaking of bread and the prayers Life  among the Believers 

43 And fear came upon every soul; and  many wonders and signs were done  through the apostles. 44 And all who  believed were together and had all  things in common; 45 and they sold their  possessions and goods and distributed  them to all, as any had need. 46 And day  by day, attending the temple together  and breaking bread in their homes, they  partook of food with glad and generous  hearts, 47 praising God and having favor  with all the people. And the Lord added  to their number day by day those who  were being saved. 

“This is the word of the Lord”

All say “Thanks be to God”. 

Ask: How did they live? <discuss> Do you  think that everybody lives this way? <no>  What is different? <they shared everything,  sold all their things and gave away the money,  and prayed together>. Can we do this? 

Say: Let us now focus on our responsorial Psalm: < Give thanks for the Lord is  good. God’s love is everlasting.. ...>3x 

Introduce the Gospel 

Say: This reading tells us about two times  when all of Jesus’ friends were gathered  together in an upper room with the doors  locked, probably the same one where they  shared the Last Supper with Jesus. It was right  after Jesus rose from the dead. The Apostles  were frightened of the Romans and of their  fellow Jews..... 

...with Alleluia!! – 

WE SING WHILE STANDING AND  WELCOME THE GOSPEL!!  

Alle-lu Alle-lu, Alle-lu Alle-lluia!! 

Lets praise the Lord….

Alle-lu Alle-lu Alle-lu Alle-lluia!!,  

Lets praise the Lord…. 

Alle-luia, Lets Praise the Lord! 

Alle-luia, Lets Praise the Lord! 

Alle..lluia Lets praise the Lord….!!! 

The leader reading the gospel, silently says:  Cleanse our hearts and our lips almighty  God, that we may worthily proclaim your  Holy Gospel. 

The Leader starts: The Lord be with You, And with your Spirit.  

A reading is from the Holy Gospel  according to St. John. 

Glory to You, O Lord 

John 20:19-29 (RSVCE)  

Jesus Appears to the Disciples 

19 On the evening of that day, the first  day of the week, the doors being shut  where the disciples were, for fear of the  Jews, Jesus came and stood among them  and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20  When he had said this, he showed them  his hands and his side. Then the disciples  were glad when they saw the Lord. 21  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with  you. As the Father has sent me, even so I  send you.” 22 And when he had said this,  he breathed on them, and said to them,  “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive  the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you  retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 

Jesus and Thomas 

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called  the Twin, was not with them when Jesus  came. 25 So the other disciples told him,  “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to  them, “Unless I see in his hands the print  

of the nails, and place my finger in the  mark of the nails, and place my hand in  his side, I will not believe.” 26 Eight days  later, his disciples were again in the  house, and Thomas was with them. The  doors were shut, but Jesus came and  stood among them, and said, “Peace be  with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas,  “Put your finger here, and see my hands;  and put out your hand, and place it in my  side; do not be faithless, but believing.”  28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and  my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you  believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and  yet believe. 

The Gospel of the Lord” 

“Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ” 

==== 7:19 - 7:24 ==== 

(*) Tell your prepared reflecting story to  motivate the children, but according to the  Gospel and children’s level of understanding  like in the suggestions below…

 Gospel reflection: 

Ask: Did you already know this story? Did  you hear anything new? <let the children  respond> On the first night, what  

happened? <Jesus appeared to the  Apostles> How do you think the Apostles  felt? <glad to see him, scared a little because  they had watched him die, worried about  what it all meant> What did Jesus tell them?  <He said He was sending them out, just like  the Father had sent Him> Then what  happened? Especially on the second night?  <Thomas> Thomas didn’t believe, did he? What did Thomas say to the Apostles? <that  he would believe that Jesus had come back  when he actually saw him and felt his  wounds> When Jesus appeared the next 

time, what did he tell Thomas? <blessed are  those who believe without seeing> Do you  know anyone who believes in Jesus but has  not seen him? <US>  

Explain: Thomas needed proof that Jesus  had risen – and Jesus loved him anyway. We  can help each other to find the proof we  need to have faith in Jesus. 

 

Memory Verse: “…, Blessed are those who  have not seen and yet believe......” 

Let us stand up and we profess our  faith. 

 

Profession of our faith 

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, creator of heaven and earth: 

And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our  Lord: 

 --bow down-- 

Who was conceived by the power of the Holy  Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary: 

Suffered under Pontius Pilate; 

was crucified, died and was buried: 

He descended into hell: 

The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, 

and sits at the right hand of God the Father  Almighty: 

From there He will come to judge the  living and the dead: 

I believe in the Holy Spirit: 

the holy catholic church: 

the communion of saints: 

The forgiveness of sins: 

The resurrection of the body: 

And the life everlasting. 

Amen. 

==== 7:24 - 7:26 ==== 

Prayers of the Faithful Now is the time to  

pray for our stuff :-)Intercessions. 

You may want to ask the children to offer their  own prayers or you can use the suggestions  here. 

Leader: We all have times when we  doubt and so we ask God to give us  strength and fill us with faith as we  pray together; 

Prayer 1. We pray for the Church throughout the world: that she may continue to spread God’s peace  through out the world as she follows  Christ’s example of care for those  finding life difficult..... We pray to the  Lord... 

Prayer2. We pray for all people who  are sad, lonely, frightened, sick or  troubled: that they may find hope in  the darkest times and know that they  are never alone..... We pray to the  Lord... 

Prayer 3. We pray for our parish,  family and friends: that we may find  it in our hearts to believe and to  share the peace of Christ with each  other... We pray to the Lord.... 

Prayer 4. Our Lord Christ Jesus,  came to show us how to live. May He  fill us with faith and lead us to share  your peace throughout the world.... We pray to the Lord... 

==== 7:26 - 7:28 ==== 

Silently, each one tells God your petition. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your  Son, who lives and reigns with you and the  Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen 

==== 7:28 - 7:30 ==== 

Song Interlude: Walk Walk in the light, walk  walk in the light, Sing as we give in our  offertory and we walk to the big  

church... NOTE-- after the song, is being sung, we  pick the children that will perform next Sunday....

Bring up A child in a way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6