Sunday
23 APRIL
Second Sunday of Easter
John 20:19-31      
​Jesus appears to the disciples and Thomas struggles to believe without seeing.
Teacher Background
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Monday
24 APRIL
ANZAC Day
Listen to the Ode and the Last Post  and remember in prayer all Australian servicemen and women, past and present.  Say together the words Lest we forget and stand for one minute of silence as a mark of respect.
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Pray a Litany of Remembrance.
In the morning and the evening, we will remember them
All: We will remember them
In life’s comings and goings, we will remember them
 All: We will remember them
In the tears and the memories, we will remember them.
All: We will remember them
In the stories and the letters, we will remember them.
All: We will remember them
In the photos and the tributes, we will remember them.
All: We will remember them
In the silence and the stillness, we will remember them
 All: We will remember them
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Tuesday
25 APRIL

​PUBLIC HOLIDAY
​Praying with the Sunday Gospel
Listen to the reading of the gospel. Listen for the important words or phrases or messages from this story about Jesus appearing to his disciples and about Thomas doubting and struggling to believe without seeing.
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In this short reading, Jesus says ‘Peace be with you!’ three times.
Let us pray for peace in our minds and hearts. (Silence)
All: Peace be with us
Let us pray for peace in our homes and families. (Silence)
All: Peace be with us
Let us pray for peace in our classrooms and school community. (Silence)
All: Peace be with us
Let us pray for peace in our country and world. Silence)
All: Peace be with us
 
Exchange the Sign of Peace with the people near us. Include their name with the greeting, e.g. Peace be with you, N___________. 

Wednesday
26 APRIL
Feast of St Mark the Evangelist
One of the four gospels is attributed to St Mark. According to most scholars, Mark’s gospel was the first gospel to be written and so is a highly original work. Let us give thanks for the insight and courage that St Mark had to record the good news that Jesus shared with the people of his time. Many schools, colleges, churches and cathedrals are named after St Mark.  Over the years artists have given a symbol to each of the evangelists. Mark’s symbol is a winged lion because his Gospel begins with the story of John the Baptist who, like a roaring lion, called people to repent and turn back to God. 

Thursday
27 APRIL
​Paschal Candle
The Paschal Candle or Easter Candle is a new candle which is blessed and lit every year in the Church at Easter. It is lit from the bright, blazing Easter fire and this new light symbolises Christ, the light of the world.  The priest prays a special Easter Prayer as he blesses and lights the Easter Candle. Watch Prayer for Easter   Visit the Church or source images of Easter Candles being lit all over the world. 
  • Decorate a Class Easter candle and sprinkle the classroom with blessed water.
  • Think about ways that we can live in the light and be a light for others. Pray for all who are living in darkness or experiencing hard times now so that they may see the light of the Risen Christ in the people who might help them and love them. 

Friday
28 MAY
Praying the Sign of the Cross
Talk about the difference between a crucifix and a cross. The crucifix has the body of Jesus on it. The cross has no body and symbolises the Risen Christ. Talk about the symbolism of the cross.
  • Name where crucifixes and crosses are displayed in the classrooms, school foyers or grounds, local Catholic Church and Cathedral and other local Christian Churches. Visit these if possible or locate images of Crucifixes and Crosse online e.g. the El Salvadorian crosses.
  • Make an Easter Cross from cardboard, clay, florist wire, ribbons, sticks, paddle pop sticks. Ideas for creating a cross. 
  • Let us pray the Sign of the Cross pausing to breathe after each of the four hand movements in this prayer.
  • In the name of the Father (Breathe) and of the Son (Breathe) and of the Holy Spirit (Breathe)
  • Amen. (Breathe) 
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