Sunday
16th APRIL
EASTER SUNDAY 16th April
Gospel John 20:1-9
The Resurrection of Jesus … Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty!
Teacher Background

Tuesday
18th APRIL
Setting up for Prayer
​Revisit protocols for class/homeroom prayer and change the sacred space to reflect the Easter season. The Easter season continues for 6 Sundays until the great feast of Pentecost. Symbols and rituals might include the lighting of candles, the blessing or sprinkling with water, the placement of a flower/s, the blessing of the oils (Teacher Background)  and the proclaiming (spoken or sung) of the word ALLELUIA! The liturgical colour is white. Suggested symbols include: bible; a colourful Easter cross; candle/s and candle holder; white prayer cloth or a white place mat; coloured ribbon/s; a flower or a small vase of flowers;  a print out of the word ALLELUIA; wooden words e.g. JOY, PEACE, LOVE: short quotes from the Sunday readings.  If the context doesn’t lend itself to the lighting of a candle, a possibility may be to download the App Free Candle.
  • Gathered as Easter people on the first day of term, light an Easter candle and pray together: Jesus is the light of the world! Alleluia! Alleluia!
  • Listen to the Gospel that was read on Easter Sunday morning.
  • Pray with the song Here, Now, Jesus Is Alive by Paule Freeburg & Christopher Walker ‘Many More Stories and Songs of Jesus.’  Invite students to talk about the lyrics of this happy song. Take time to spend a moment with Jesus who is HERE and NOW alive in our hearts.  (Younger students)
  • Pray with Resurrection Art: Bible Paintings: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ following the steps of Visio Divina .  Visio Divina, “divine seeing,” is a form of prayer using images such as photos, icons, religious paintings, stained glass windows. (Older students)
  • Pray or journal in response. 

Wednesday
19th APRIL
Praying for the victims of the Cyclone and Floods
  • Invite students to reflect on their holiday and the recent cyclone and floods. Light a candle and stand for one minute of silence for all those who have been affected. Use the App Insight Timer or a phone timer.
  • Let us pray for all who have had their homes damaged and lost their treasured possessions.  
  • Let us pray for all who have died during this time. (Silence)
  • Let us pray for their families and friends. (Silence)
  • Let us pray for the volunteers and the emergency workers who have helped others during this time of devastation and tragedy. (Silence)
  • We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen 

Thursday
20th APRIL
Alleluia! Alleluia! Pray an Easter Blessing
Alleluia is a Hebrew word meaning ‘Praise God’. It is found in scripture and spoken or sung in liturgy especially in the Easter season, a time of praise and great joy!  At Mass, people stand to sing the Alleluia before the reading of the Gospel, except during Lent.
 
May we be Easter people of joy and hope.  Alleluia! Alleluia!
All: Alleluia! Alleluia!
May we be Easter people of love and peace.   Alleluia! Alleluia!
All: Alleluia! Alleluia!
May we be Easter people who give praise and honour to the Risen Lord forever and ever.  Alleluia! Alleluia!
All: Alleluia! Alleluia!
 
Invite students to engage in mindful and prayerful colouring of the letters of the word ALLELUIA! Individual letters could be downloaded and students work in groups to mindfully colour the letters. A suitable or known Alleluia song could be played whilst this coloring is happening. 
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Alleluia Songs:

Friday
21ST APRIL
Earth Day (22nd April)
  • Watch Laudato Si animation; a letter written by Pope Francis asking everyone to protect and care for the Earth which is our common home. Think about our response to Pope Francis. What good news would we like to share with him about how our school community are caring for creation?
  • Let us send our prayers to the world and all of creation so that all will be protected and cared for.