Lessons in English
Second Sunday of Easter
Focus:
Jesus tells us, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Materials Needed:
- Candle
- Bible
Create a special table or sacred space in your home you can where you focus during prayer and your in-home Sunday celebration.
Light the candle. Call your family to prayer.
Music:
Choose one of the music suggestions below. Sing together as a family.
Opening Activity:
Choose an age-appropriate video from Ripley’s Believe It or Not (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSJuKkObJ0fvcz8krT-xhUg/videos) to watch together. Discuss how sometimes we are told about things that seem unbelievable. We may not believe that they are true unless we can see them. Sometimes it is hard to believe in God without being able to see. That is what happens to the apostle Thomas in today’s Gospel.
Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
Sunday Gospel: John 20:19-31
Together read the Sunday Gospel. Feel free to use your family bible or children’s bible. Be creative. Read it in parts. Act out the story. http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041920.cfm
Do you think you would have had the same reaction as Thomas? Why or why not?
Is it hard to believe in Jesus when you do not get to see him? Why or why not?
How do you have faith in Jesus when you can’t see him?
How do you show your faith in Jesus to others?
Apostles Creed:
Together pray:
I believe in God the Father almighty Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord who was conceived by 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 thence he shall 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 life everlasting. Amen.
Music:
Choose another song to sing together.
Universal Prayers:
As a family, offer prayers for our Church, our world, your local communities, and your families.
The Lord’s Prayer
Together pray the words that our Savior gave us:
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Conclude with the Sign of the Cross
Music:
Choose another song to sing together.
Family Activity Suggestions:
- Go on a scavenger hunt. Find things within your home or outside that help you to believe that Jesus is real without seeing him. Bring them together and discuss with your family why this is as sign for you of your faith in God.
- Create your own “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” type video showing how Jesus is alive and present in your life.
Music Suggestions:
Jesus Christ is Risen Today (EASTER HYMN) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9a41CvVEHw
Come to the Water/I Will Run (Foley/Maher) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5047C0Lulc
Worthy is the Lamb (Ricky Manalo) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSOG64-sTpg
Hallelujah Is Our Song (Sarah Hart) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL065Ww1Z4w
Alleluia! Love is Alive (Steve Angrisano) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6H0BkcllH0
Alleluia! Alleluia! Let the Holy Anthem Rise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7e2FLW_NRA
Other Web Resources:
Loyola Press:
The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) (official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and part of Caritas International):
https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Children-s-liturgy
Catholic Mom:
http://catholicmom.com/kids/catholic-gospel-coloring-worksheets-sunday-mass/
USCCB:
https://catholicdotbible.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/easter-2.pdf
Strong Catholic Faith:
http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/easter-season-resources.html
