New – “Journey” – Whole School Prayer Resources

Thank you to 12R for creating this week’s resources!

Good morning everyone, welcome back, we invite you to begin by making the Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

On Sunday, we entered into the 5th week of Lent and next week, during the first week of the Easter holidays, the church will celebrate Holy Week.

To help us prepare for Holy Week, 12R are going to lead us on a journey through Holy Week to give us a heads up on what is coming up and what to look out for in Mass.

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday when the church commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem…

Palm Sunday Mass is a great way to begin your Easter holidays and journey into Holy Week so make sure to have a look at your local Mass times for next weekend!

🌿 The Blessing of Palms – The priest will bless palm branches that we hold, just like the crowds who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem.

🚶 Procession – In many churches there’s a short procession or special entrance as everyone holds up their palms and sings.

📖 Reading of the Passion – We hear the powerful story of Jesus’ suffering and death, often read by several voices.


As we hear in the video it’s easier to follow Jesus when we are surrounded by people who share the same values.

Have you ever followed the crowd or gone with what others say or do.

Discuss with the people next to you- how easy/hard do you find it to stay true to your faith? 

Let us pray together,

Lord Jesus,
As we prepare to enter Holy Week, open our hearts to follow You with courage.
Help us to stay faithful even when it’s challenging,
to choose what is right instead of what is easy,
and to walk with You in love and trust.
Be with our school community and guide us closer to You each day.
Amen.

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross…

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

We invite you start our time of prayer today by making the sign of the cross…
In the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen

Yesterday, 12R helped us to reflect on Palm Sunday, when Jesus triumphantly entered into Jerusalem -crowds cheering, palms waving, riding humbly on a donkey.

Many people expected a powerful, political Messiah who would overthrow the Romans.
Jesus wasn’t that kind of leader. He preached love, forgiveness, and peace, and that challenged people’s expectations.

The religious leaders felt threatened. Jesus questioned their behaviour, challenged injustice, and showed a new way of living – one that put the poor and the outcast first. Some leaders saw Him as dangerous, someone who could upset their authority and the delicate peace with the Roman government.

Maundy Thursday takes us to the moment where Jesus gathers His closest friends for the Last Supper– the night He gave us the Eucharist and showed us what love looks like…

Share a discussion with your partner and form…

What’s an act of service that you could do during Holy Week next week?

Jesus washed His friends’ feet. What is a modern version of “foot washing” — something small but meaningful that shows love?

If you were hosting a special meal, who would you want at your table, and why?

If Jesus sat at your table today, what would you want to ask Him?

Let us finish our morning in prayer together…

Lord Jesus,
As we get ready to enter Holy Week next week,
help us to open our hearts to You.
Teach us to serve others with the same humility
You showed at the Last Supper,
and to recognise Your presence in the people around us.
Guide us through the days ahead
so that we may walk with You towards the joy of Easter.
Amen.

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Good morning! We invite you to begin by making the Sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Yesterday, 12R helped us reflect on Maundy Thursday — the Last Supper, the washing of feet, and Jesus preparing for what was to come.

Today, we move to the next day in the story of Holy Week.
The following day is called Good Friday.

Good Friday is a day of fasting, silence and sorrow.
Just like every day of Holy Week has its own atmosphere, Good Friday feels different – everything is stripped back, the church is bare and there is a sense of stillness and reflection.

You’ll notice that same simplicity in today’s reflection led by 12R.

So those are some of the things we can expect to see during the Good Friday service in church.
And it’s easy to remember the timing – the Good Friday service always takes place at 3pm, because that is the time the Gospels tell us Jesus died on the cross.

As we heard in the video, an important part of the Good Friday service is the Veneration of the Cross.
This means coming forward to honour the cross — sometimes by touching it, bowing before it, kissing it or simply pausing in silent prayer before it.
It’s a moment to recognise the love and sacrifice of Jesus, shown through His death.

Today, we are going to spend some time looking at the cross and reflecting on why this day is called “Good Friday.”

It might seem strange to call the day Jesus died good.
But Christians call it “good” because Jesus’ death wasn’t the end – it was the moment He gave everything out of love for us, opening the way to forgiveness, hope and new life.
Each of us has been affected or shaped in some way by the events of this day – including the fact that you attend a Catholic school today.

So, as we look at the crucifix, we invite you to put an entry in your prayer journal.

You might like to reflect on one or more of these prompts:

• What does the sign of the cross mean to you personally?
• How have the events of Good Friday and Jesus’ sacrifice impacted your life?
• What does the crucifix tell you about God’s love?

You might choose to:

• draw your own crucifix
• write a short prayer
• spend a few quiet moments looking at the image of the crucifix below
• look closely at the crucifix in your classroom
• or, if appropriate, you may even be able to pass the classroom crucifix around so everyone gets a chance to reflect more personally
• You can play the song below as you complete the activity.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,
As we prepare for Good Friday next week,
thank You for the gift of the cross
and the love You showed through Your sacrifice.
Help us to make time for silence,
and time to be with You during the Easter holidays.
Guide us to love others as You loved us.
Amen.

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Good morning, We invite you to begin by making the Sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Over the last few days in school, we have been reflecting on the journey of Holy Week.
Yesterday, we focused on Good Friday – a day of sorrow and fasting.
We remembered Jesus’ suffering and His great love for us shown on the Cross.

Today, we look ahead to Holy Saturday – a day of waiting. A day when Jesus lies in the tomb and the world pauses.

Let’s hear more from 12R…

Take a moment now to be still.

Ask yourself quietly:

• What does it mean for me to wait with faith?
  
• Where in my life do I need to trust God more?
  
• As Holy Week approaches, what do I need to let go of?
  
• What do I need to bring to God in prayer before the Easter holidays?

Loving God,
As we prepare for Holy Week and the Easter holidays,
give us wisdom to pause and listen to You,
and courage to make time for prayer amongst the business of life.
Help us to stay close to Jesus
and to use this coming week to grow in faith and love.
We pray that everyone may have a safe, happy, and holy Holy Week and Easter break.
Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Have a great Friday, Holy week and Easter break everyone!