St Joseph's School - A Catholic Voluntary Academy

Monday Morning Gospel and Other World Faiths Assemblies - 2022/2023

Every Monday, Mrs Kelly delivers our morning Gospel to each class for our weekly Gospel message.

The children listen to the Gospel and think about the message which is given to us. We think about how we can use this message in our lives the following week. The message is displayed in the children's classrooms. A summary of the assembly, along with the gospel message and a picture is also sent out to parents via DoJo.

Every half term, the children explore a different world faith. The children think about how the faith differs and how it is the same as Christianity.

Please see below for the messages which are sent out each week.

Gospel 2022/2023

Gospel Assembly Monday 17th July 2023GATHER: The children gathered together to share the St. Joseph’s prayer and we observed how the end of a school year is a good time to look back and remember: all the good things we have received, the exciting opportunities we have been given and how we have grown over the year. Children identified how they had become more confident in their learning and had grown in their friendships with their peers. 

  LISTEN: In the Gospel story this week, Jesus teaches through a special story called a parable. Lots of children in Year 6 helped act out this story – we had some very entertaining birds gobbling up seeds at one point! The story is from Matthew 13:8, “Other seed from on rich soil and produced a good harvest.” 

RESPOND: To check our understanding of the parable, we discussed where the seeds fell, what happened to the seeds and what the seeds and the good soil represented. We learnt that God gives us everything that is good. He ‘plants’ His life-giving Word in our hearts, and we can help it to grow through our loving actions. For example, every time we show kindness, patience, honesty and do our best to choose loving actions, we are like the good soil and God’s life-giving Word grows in us.GO FORTH: We reflected on the fact that wherever we are and whatever we are doing, God is with us, guiding and encouraging us to listen and respond to His Word. 

 

We finished our Gospel assembly by saying this prayer together: 

Thank you Father, 

you love me and give me all that is good. 

Thank you Jesus,

you point me to God’s life-giving Word. 

Thank you Holy Spirit,

you inspire my loving actions. 

Amen. 

 

Gospel Assembly Monday 10th July 2023

GATHER: The children gathered together to share the St. Joseph’s prayer and we discussed being in Ordinary Time still. I asked the children to think about how their time at school over the next couple of weeks will contrast with the upcoming summer holiday. Different children answered, describing how it will be a break from our usual work or routines, a time separating one school year from the next and a chance to have a rest! Then, we considered why rest is so important; how it recharges our energy levels so we’re ready for a fresh start and how it can improve our memory and mood.

LISTEN: The Gospel story today was from Matthew 11:28. “Come to me…and I will give you rest.”

RESPOND: We discussed what Jesus promised to all who came to Him, who Jesus invites to come to Him and how Jesus can make our lives easier if we put our trust in Him and follow in His way. After that, one of our wonderful Year 6 children demonstrated what it felt like to have a heavy load in a backpack. We gradually unloaded books (and a bag of sweets he won in a raffle on Sports Day!) from his bag and discussed how much lighter the bag felt. In the same way, if we hand over our concerns, worries and tiredness to Jesus then they will no longer weigh us down, like a heavy backpack does. Jesus wants us to unburden ourselves on Him.

GO FORTH: We reflected on how we can rest with Jesus and walk alongside Him and learn from Him this week. We finished our Gospel assembly by saying this prayer together:

Dear Jesus,

When I am busy, with so much to do, you say, “Come to me and rest.”

When I am worried with thoughts running around my head you say, “Come to me and rest.”

When I am tired from trying so hard you say, “Come to me and rest.”

Jesus, I come to you now and rest in your loving arms,

Amen.

Gospel Assembly Monday 26th June 2023GATHER: The children gathered together to share the St. Joseph’s prayer and we discussed being in Ordinary Time. The children thought about times they have felt courageous, and then they listened to a story called ‘Thunderstorm.’ Everyone added in sound effects for the lightning, thunder and rain and we learnt a strategy of remembering favourite things to help us feel calm, if we ever feel nervous about doing something.LISTEN: We listened to the Gospel of Matthew 10:26 today. “Do not be afraid.”RESPOND: We discussed what Jesus said to his disciples in the story, what their important job was and who gives us help, support and courage in our lives. Through the words of Jesus in the Gospel, we considered how everyone feels scared sometimes but that God loves us, Jesus guides us, and the Holy Spirit gives us hearts of courage. We came up with actions for the phrase ‘hearts of courage’ to help us remember this – why not ask your child at home to see if they can remember?GO FORTH: We reflected on how we can be followers of Jesus by having hearts of courage, and we finished our assembly with the following prayer:Father God,

Thank you for your promises,

and all your love and care.

I place my trust in you. 

 

Jesus,

Thank you for guiding us.

I place my trust in you. 

 

Holy Spirit,

Thank you for giving us hearts of courage,

I place my trust in you.

Amen 

Gospel Assembly Monday 19th June 2023GATHER: The children gathered together to share the St. Joseph’s prayer and we discussed being in Ordinary Time. I asked the children how they felt if they were ever given an important job, and they came up with some very thoughtful answers, such as feeling trusted, responsible, special and proud.LISTEN: Some children helped me retell the Gospel story today which was from the Gospel of Matthew. “The harvest is rich, but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to His harvest.”RESPOND: We discussed the meaning of the word, ‘Commission’ how the ‘com’ is like communion when we gather together as the Body of Christ and how mission means an important task. In the Gospel story, Jesus commissioned his disciples to follow His example and tell everyone the Good News. Jesus also commissions us to allow God to guide our thoughts, words and actions and to show people how much God loves them.GO FORTH: We reflected on how we can make a difference by working together to fulfil Jesus’ mission, and we finished our assembly with the following prayer:Dear God, 

Open our hearts to your love so that we may love.

Open our eyes so that we can see those in need.

Open our hands to continue your work in our homes, our school and our community.

Amen 

Gospel Assembly Monday 5th June 2023GATHER: The children gathered together to share the school mission statement and we discussed how we are now in Ordinary Time. We then considered how we could describe God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit before using the image of a triangle to help children explore one of the mysteries of our faith: the Holy Trinity. We made the sign of the cross to remember that we proclaim our faith in the Holy Trinity at the start and end of every prayer we say.

LISTEN: God said to Nicodemus, “God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not be lost but may have eternal life.” John 3: 16

RESPOND: Children were shown how the lines in a triangle can become arrows carrying love between the persons of the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. In this way, the Holy Trinity is a community of love, they love one another and they love us very much also.

GO FORTH: We all sang the Community song, remembering that we are made in the image of God and therefore we were created to love God and one another.

This week’s prayer is: 

Dear God, 

You are three-in-one – a community of love. 

You love each other and you love me.

I am only one – but a very special one, for I am your child, made in your image. 

Created to love you and love the people around me. 

Help me this week to know your love.

Help me this week to love others too.Amen 

Gospel Assembly Monday 22nd May 2023

GATHER: The children gathered together to share the school mission statement. We thought about which season we were currently in and celebrate that ‘Christ is Risen.’ The children thought about how we rejoice in the joy, hope, peace and love that Jesus brings through His death and Resurrection. The children played a game trying to remember a number – whilst they were doing this, some of the other children tried to distract them. We thought about how things are harder to focus on at some times and how we can become distracted.

LISTEN: All I have is yours and all you have is mine and in them, I am praised and glorified - John 17: 1-2

RESPOND: The children answered the following questions… What did Jesus do as He looked up to heaven? What was Jesus’ work on earth? Why do you think Jesus prayed for His disciples? The children listened to a reflection to calm their minds and help them stay focused.

 

GO FORTH: We all sang together our Eastertide song to celebrate.

This week’s prayer is:

Dear Lord,

Please help us take the time to listen to you and follow your path as we journey through Eastertide.

Amen

Gospel Assembly Monday 15th May 2023

GATHER: The children gathered together to share the school mission statement. We thought about which season we were currently in and celebrate that ‘Christ is Risen.’ The children thought about how we rejoice in the joy, hope, peace and love that Jesus brings through His death and Resurrection

 

 LISTEN: ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.’ John 14: 15-21

 

 RESPOND: The children thought about the belongings they have and which was the most important to them. They thought about how they would feel if someone took one of these or if they lost it. The children reflected on footprints… they were asked to think about: If you were walking on a beach and saw these footprints, you would know that someone had been there earlier and left a mark. We explored how Jesus no longer walks on the earth as a man - but He did live on Earth 2,000 years ago. When He went back to heaven, He promised to send a Helper – the Holy Spirit – to be with us forever. Like the footprints in the sand remind us that someone has walked there before us, the Holy Spirit reminds us of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our helper and our guide, pointing us to Jesus, and the way that Jesus told us to live. We can know Jesus through the Holy Spirit! The disciples might have felt worried, sad, or confused when Jesus said He was returning to heaven, but Jesus’ message is one of hope – during half-term, we will celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost!

 

GO FORTH: The children listened to quiet music and a reflection based on what they had heard. We all sang together our Eastertide song.

 

This week’s prayer is:

Dear Lord,

Please help us take the time to listen to you and follow your path as we journey through Eastertide.

Amen

 

Click the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCfveSHHwXo

Gospel Assembly Monday 24th April 2023

GATHER: The children gathered together to share the school mission statement. We thought about which season we were currently in and celebrate that ‘Christ is Risen.’ The children looked at 2 optical illusions and considered it can be difficult to look beyond what we first see – many of us needed help seeing the second image!

 

LISTEN: ‘Don’t you realise you are not seeing things as they really are! Remember what the prophets said… All these things had to happen.’ Luke 24:13-35

 

RESPOND: The children thought about the following questions… How were the disciples feeling? How did they realise the stranger was Jesus? How did the stranger (Jesus) help them?

 

GO FORTH: The children listened to quiet music and reflected on the following words… When the disciples on the road to Emmaus spent time with Jesus, He changed how they were feeling, and they began to see with new eyes of faith. Let’s ask Jesus to help us to see with new eyes of faith as we spend time with Him in prayer. Walking with Jesus made the disciples feel peaceful. Let’s ask Jesus to help us feel His peace as we sit quietly with Him now. Listening to Jesus turned the disciples’ confusion into understanding. Let’s give to Jesus all that we find difficult to understand.

 

This week’s prayer is:

Dear Lord,

Please help us take the time to listen to you and follow your path as we journey through Eastertide.

Amen 

Click the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsQiLsCZ1Ho

Gospel Assembly Monday 17th April 2023

GATHER: The children gathered together to share the school mission statement. We thought about which season we were currently in and shared that Eastertide is 50 days long until Pentecost.

 

 LISTEN: “Doubting Thomas.” John 20:19-31.

 

 RESPOND: The children thought about the following questions… When the disciples saw Jesus for the first time, who was missing? What did Thomas say he had to see before he would believe? Why was Thomas eventually convinced that Jesus had risen from the dead? We talked about what we had shared in the gospel.

 

 GO FORTH: The children thought about how they could celebrate ‘He is risen’ as we journey through Eastertide.  

 

This week’s prayer is:

Dear Lord,

Please help us take the time to listen to you and follow your path as we journey through Eastertide.

Amen

 

Click the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idQ1n3cdgfo

Gospel Assembly Monday 27th March 2023

GATHER: The children thought about the phrase: ‘Jesus, Be the Reason that I live.’

 

LISTEN: “I am the Resurrection and the life. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11.

 

RESPOND: We discussed the story the children listened to within John’s Gospel. The children thought about: Why did Mary and Martha want Jesus to come to see them? Why did Jesus weep? Why did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead?

 

GO FORTH: We listened to the next video from Fr Paschal Uche who helped us understand how we can choose Jesus as the reason that we live. The children thought about the ways they have given, acted and prayed during their Lent journey so far.

  

This week’s prayer is:

Jesus, be the reason that I live.

As I continue my journey through Lent, help me to trust that you want to meet me where I am at.

Be my guide as I GIVE to others,

Be my strength as I ACT by making good choices,

Be my friend as I PRAY and get to know you more.

Amen

 

Click the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBvU7arNhQs

 

 

Gospel Assembly Monday 13th March 2023 This week, our theme is: ‘Jesus, Be my Source.’ Today, we continued our Lenten Journey by listening to the story of The Woman at the Well.GATHER: The children recalled the British Sign Language from last week, ‘Give, Act, Pray.’ They played a game by answering questions about what they would need to complete different activities in order to reveal a picture of a dove, representing the Holy Spirit.LISTEN: ‘But anyone who drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again.’ John 4:14  

RESPOND: When Jesus meets a Samaritan woman in the Gospel story today, we learn that just like our bodies are thirsty for water, our souls are thirsty for God! Jesus explains that he will send people the ‘living water’ of the Holy Spirit to refresh them and to help us to Give, Act, Pray. Just as the Father sent Jesus, Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit; He is the source of the living water of the Holy Spirit. 

The children discussed why do we get thirsty, what does it feel like when our bodies get thirsty and what our soul is. 

GO FORTH: We listened to the next video update from Fr Paschal Uche which will help us to ask Jesus to be our source this week.This week’s prayer is:Jesus, be my source.As I continue my journey through Lent,let the living water of the Holy Spirit flow through me.Be my guide as I GIVE to others,Be my strength as I ACT by making good choices,Be my friend as I PRAY and get to know you more.AmenClick the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.Casting Crowns - The Well (w/ Lyrics) - YouTube 

Class Mass 

Monday 27th February 2023

Year 3 have had a special afternoon as Father John came into school to celebrate mass in class. Thank you to parents and grandparents who also joined us.

Monday 27th February 2023

This week, our theme is: ‘Jesus, Be my Path!’ Today, we continued our preparations for Lent.

 

GATHER: The children recalled the British Sign Language from last week, ‘Jesus, be my centre.’ They played a game where they had to make the correct decisions to be able to move a character around the board. The children explored how making the right decisions puts God at the centre of our lives.

 

LISTEN: ‘God is the greatest and I will worship Him only!’ Matthew 4:10 (paraphrased).

 

RESPOND: We discussed Matthew 4: 10 and explored these questions: Where did the Holy Spirit lead Jesus to?

 What temptations did Jesus face, and what did He say?

 The source of Jesus’ strength to resist temptation was the Holy Spirit and God’s Word in the Scriptures (Bible). What is the source of our strength to resist temptation and make the right choices?

 

The children discussed how Jesus was tempted by the devil to make choices that were selfish instead of listening to and trusting in God. Jesus made the right choices. He trusted God to give Him what He needed and to look after Him. Sometimes we will be tempted to do things we know are wrong. But like Jesus, we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us make good choices. We use a special word to describe what it means to say ‘no’ when we are tempted - the word ‘resist’. With Jesus as our path and the Holy Spirit as our guide, we can resist temptation and choose God’s way. We need only ask for His help!

 

 

GO FORTH: We listened to the next video update from Fr Paschal Uche which will help us to ask Jesus to be our path this week.

 

This week’s prayer is:

Jesus, be my path.

As I continue my journey through Lent,

help me to walk in your way.

Be my guide as I GIVE to others,

Be my strength as I ACT by making good choices,

Be my friend as I PRAY and get to know you more.

Amen

 

Click the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zud_x83cV08

Monday 20th February 2023

This week, our theme is: ‘Jesus, Be the Centre!’ Today, we began our preparations for Lent.

 

GATHER: The children played a game showing some of the tasks that are carried out when ‘spring cleaning.’ The children discussed what spring cleaning was and how this fresh start and new beginnings related to the period of Lent.

 

LISTEN: ‘Jesus said, try to GIVE, ACT and PRAY like God’s Secret helper – God sees everything you do and He will be so happy!’ Matthew 6:5-6 (paraphrased).

 

RESPOND: We discussed Matthew 6: 5-6 and explored how we can give, act and pray how God would want us to and be closer to Him because of this. We discussed the different ways we can give – a smile, kindness, time… and how this does not need to be material things. The children watched a video of other children modelling how to sign ‘Jesus, Be the Centre.’ Try asking them if they can show you how to sign this.

 

GO FORTH: We listened to a video from Fr Paschal Uche who shared how we could begin to put Jesus at the Centre of our lives. We will be sharing a message from him each week during Lent to help us to put Jesus at the centre of our lives.

  

This week’s prayer is:

Jesus,

Be the centre.

As I start my journey through Lent,

I welcome you into my heart.

Be my guide as I GIVE to others.

Be my strength as I ACT by making good choices.

Be my friend as I PRAY and get to know you more.

Amen

  

Click the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQkzHwz2eLE

Monday 6th February 2023

This week, our theme is: ‘You are the light of the world.’GATHER: The children gathered together and began by thinking about the similarities and differences between a lighthouse, a candle, a spotlight and the moon. Children explained that they all shine light and make things easier to see. 

LISTEN: The children listened to the Gospel from Matthew 5:16.‘Your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’RESPOND: The children thought about how we are called to shine God’s light in the world. We can do this by using our gifts and talents. Through an analogy of the moon reflecting the light of the sun and the real-life story of Eric Liddell, children considered how they can use their gifts to do good and reflect God’s light in the world.   

GO FORTH: This week’s prayer is:

 

Dear Jesus,  

You are the light of the world,  

Thank you for showing me 

Your light 

Through your love for me. 

Help me shine your light 

Through my gifts and talents 

So others can see your love too. 

Amen

Monday 23rd January 2023

This week, our theme is: ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’GATHER: The children gathered together and thought about why we might follow what someone else tells us to do. We considered examples of how we follow those who love us and want what is best for us.LISTEN: The children listened to a drama retelling of Matthew’s gospel – 4: 19-20.‘Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” And they left their nets at once and followed Him.’RESPOND: The children learnt that God wants what is best for us and sent Jesus to show us the way. We too can follow Jesus by living as He did. As we prayed, we thought about a person we wanted to share Jesus’ love with and how we would do this by helping that person today. We learnt that when we help people and pray for them, we are being true followers of Jesus, sharing the Good News of God’s love with everyone.GO FORTH: This week’s prayer is: 

Thank you for loving us and asking us to come and follow you.

Help me to follow you well so that I can know the way that leads to a life of true joy and closeness to God.

Give me courage to live like you and share your love with others.

Amen. 

Monday 16th January 2023

This week, our theme is: ‘The chosen one of God!’ 

GATHER: The children played a game to see how well they knew each other called ‘A Test of Friendship.’

 

LISTEN: ‘Yes, I have seen, and I am the witness that He is the chosen one of God.’ John 1:34

 

RESPOND: We discussed John 1:29 – ‘Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.’ The children thought about how the people would expect the chosen one of God to look. Even John didn’t quite know what to expect, but when the Holy Spirit came down like a dove, it revealed Jesus for who He was – God’s Son, the chosen one. Because John recognised this and shared His revelation with others, we call John a witness to Jesus’ true identity. We discussed how when we too recognise Jesus as God’s Son and understand our true identity as God’s children, we can become witnesses for Jesus in the world. That means sharing the Good News!

 

GO FORTH: The children listened to a piece of reflection music. They reflected about how, like John, we are called to be inspired by Jesus’ words and actions. The children shared how we would look to Jesus as a model for all that we say and do this week

This week’s prayer is:

Dear God, 

Thank you for showing us 

that Jesus is your Son, 

the chosen one. 

Help us to look to Him as a model 

for all we say and do today. 

Amen 

Click the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.

https://youtu.be/0qT_Pm-StO4

 

Monday 9th January 2023

This week, our theme is: ‘I am God’s beloved child.’GATHER: The children gathered together and thought about the meaning of a revelation. They considered revelations in fairy tales, throughout history and in their own lives. The CAFOD club then expertly acted out ‘A Riverside Revelation’ to retell this week’s gospel, which was a news report about the baptism of Jesus.LISTEN: The children listened to a drama retelling of Matthew’s gospel – 3:13-17.‘A voice spoke from heaven – This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on Him.’RESPOND: The children learnt that we are all loved by God and invited to be part of His family. We considered Mary as a role model of someone who said yes to God and how Mary’s example can help us to also say ‘yes’ to God, just like she did.

GO FORTH:

This week’s prayer is:

Father God,

Thank you that you invite us to be part of God’s family. 

Help us to know how much you love us.

Like Mary, help us to say ‘yes’ to you and bring your love to everyone we meet.

Amen

 

Click the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.

FEELS GOOD – Rend Collective

Rend Co. Kids - Feels Good (Upbeat Song) (Official Music Video) - YouTube  

Christmas Mass lead by Father John Ryan - Monday 12th December 2022

Monday 14th November 2022

This week, our theme is: ‘Lord, Hear our Prayer.’GATHER: The children gathered and thought about how sometimes we experience times of trouble and need support. We discussed the responsible adults in our lives we can turn to for help. The children also considered people around the world and how they can experience trouble through war, famine and earthquakes or even have their lives made difficult by others because of their faith in God.LISTEN: The children listened to Luke’s gospel – 21: 5-19. 

‘Don’t be frightened…I will give you wise words to speak.’RESPOND: The children thought about the words Jesus uses to comfort and reassure people that even when times are hard, He is there for us and will guide and support us. Then, we looked at the work of Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic charity which supports persecuted Christians around the world today. Children learnt that they can bring any troubles to God in prayer. 

GO FORTH:This week’s prayer is:Father God,Thank you that you love us so much you neverwant to be apart from us.Jesus,Thank you for dying for us and bringing us new life!Holy Spirit,Help us to remember that we are made for life withGod now and in heaven, and to listen to the guidingwords of Jesus.AmenClick the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.YOU WILL NOT FAIL US - Brenton Brown 2018 - YouTube

Monday 7th November 2022

This week, our theme is: ‘Made For Life with God!’

 

GATHER: The children gathered and though about change and transformation. They discussed caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls and other examples. They thought about how Jesus died and came back to life and how Jesus’ Resurrection gives us clues as to what happens to us after we die: we are not resurrected on earth as Jesus was, instead our lives are ‘changed’ and we are resurrected to life in heaven!

 

LISTEN: The children listened to Luke’s gospel – 20: 27, 34-38

‘He is not a God of the dead but of the living.’

 

RESPOND: The children thought about what they had heard and answered questions about the gospel including: Who asked Jesus the question? What does Jesus say about what happens after death? What do you think ‘children of the resurrection’ means? The children discussed how, in the Gospel, Jesus explains that after death, life is not really ended but instead it is changed. Life in heaven is different from the life we have on earth. After Jesus died, He rose from the dead and appeared to His disciples before returning to live with God the Father in heaven. We discussed how our resurrection will not be like that, but we will live in a new and transformed way with God in heaven. We will be called ‘children of the resurrection!’

 

GO FORTH:

This week’s prayer is:

Father God,

Thank you that you love us so much you never

want to be apart from us.

 Jesus,

Thank you for dying for us and bringing us new life!

 Holy Spirit,

Help us to remember that we are made for life with

God now and in heaven, and to listen to the guiding

words of Jesus.

Amen

 

Click the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU2Mz9lPlL8

Monday 31st October 2022

This week, our theme is: ‘Jesus seeks and saves!’

 

GATHER: The children started our assembly by playing a game of ‘Would you rather.’ The children thought about different scenarios and shared their answers. For example – Would you rather have a house with trampoline floors or a house with aquarium floors?

 

LISTEN: The children listened to Luke’s gospel – 19: 1-10

‘The Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.’

 

RESPOND: The children thought about what they had heard and answered questions about the gospel including: Why did Zacchaeus climb the tree? Why were the crowd annoyed that Jesus was going for tea with Zacchaeus? How do you imagine Zacchaeus felt after his encounter with Jesus?

The children heard the story of John Pridmore and how he changed his life: turning to God. You can find more about John by clicking here. https://whyimcatholic.com/index.php/conversion-stories/catholic-reverts/24-catholic-revert-john-pridmore 

The children reflected –

●      When we choose to put our hope and trust in Jesus, we call this ‘giving our lives’ to Jesus.

 ●      When Zacchaeus and John gave their lives to Jesus, they were completely changed!

●      They both recognised that they had done wrong. Zacchaeus had stolen money from people and John had lived a life of crime and violence.

●      They both said sorry - we call this repentance. When they said sorry…

●      They both were forgiven and their lives were changed.

 

The children listened to some quiet music and reflected on what they had explored today.

 

GO FORTH:

This week’s prayer is:

Dear Jesus,

I’m sorry for the bad things I have done.

I’m sorry for when I haven’t loved you like I should.

Please forgive me and change my life for the better.

I choose to give my life to you.

Amen

 

Click the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q_0uleJ8P8

 

Monday 17th October 2022

This week, our theme is: ‘Be faithful in prayer!’

 

GATHER: The children started our assembly by listening to the story of the Hare and the Tortoise. During the story, the children were encouraged to join in at the end of each section by saying ‘Don’t give up!’

 

LISTEN: The children listened to Luke’s gospel – 18: 1-8

‘God will see justice done to his chosen who cry to him.’

 

RESPOND: The children thought about what the widow did not give up doing, why she was persistent with her request and what the differences between God and the judge were. We then thought about what prayer was, how it can help us, and how it can bring us closer to God. We then spent some time listening to music and praying to God.

 

GO FORTH: 

This week’s prayer is:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for always listening to our prayers.

Forgive us when we forget to pray and don’t ask for your guidance. 

Please help us to never give up, but keep praying so that we can know you more.

Amen

 

Click the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTpTQ4kBLxA

 

Monday 3rd October 2022

This week, our theme is: ‘The secret to being rich!’

 

GATHER: The children started our assembly by playing a game of the price is right. The children looked at differences in prices between 2019 and 2022. What a difference in the cost of living! The children discussed: ‘with prices so changeable, it’s hard to guess the value of things, or to know how ‘rich’ we are in terms of money…’ We discussed where our true wealth lies! 

LISTEN: The children listened to Luke’s gospel – 16: 19-31

‘Good things come to you and bad things to Lazarus; now he is comforted while you are in agony.’ 

RESPOND: The children thought about what they could learn from this story. They thought about one good quality about themselves, and then a good quality about the person sat to the side of them. The children shared their good qualities and told their friends their good qualities too.

 

GO FORTH: 

This week’s prayer is:

Dear God, 

Thank you for all the good things in my life.

Thank you for giving me my own gifts and qualities.  

Help me to enjoy them, grow them and to share them.

Help me to remember that the secret to being rich is putting God first and sharing what I have with others. 

Amen

 

Click the link to hear the hymn linked to our assembly today.

Monday 12th September 2022

 

This week, we have discussed together the 4 main parts of any collective worship / liturgical prayer session. The children have explored what happens in each of the sections and we have used symbols to mark the different parts of the liturgy.

 

We have also looked at the Parable of the lost sheep from Luke’s Gospel. We discussed how sometimes, people can go their separate ways, but that if we say sorry, we can be supported by God to join the right path. We listened to some music whilst reflecting on the times we had not chosen the correct paty and we said sorry for this.

 

The children have 3 challenges from our assembly – we would love to hear examples of how the children have achieved their challenges at home – please comment below or send us a private message.

 

·       Realise when we go on our own way rather than following Jesus

·       Say sorry to Jesus

·       Help us trust that Jesus will find us

 

This week’s prayer is:

Dear Jesus,

We are sorry for when we lose our way and become lost.

Thank you that we are precious to you.

Thank you that when we say sorry, you will search for us and will always find us.