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Our long Lenten wait is over! Easter has come again! We raise our voices in singing “Alleluia!”
Even if we slipped up and ate meat on a Friday, the Lent police didn’t come calling. Did we ask for God’s forgiveness but not forgive ourselves or someone else? Did we sacrifice but do so grudgingly? Did our concerns about our own finances affect how generously we gave alms for those whose lives are far less secure?
One glance at Christ on the crucifix, the empty tomb, or an image of The Divine Mercy will convict us of God’s great love and mercy for us who are weak and sinful. God is far kinder to us than we sometimes are to ourselves and others. May this be a Lenten lesson that we can carry into Easter Time and beyond! Jesus, we trust in you!
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find helpful tips for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and links to many online resources.
Videos of the Sunday Gospel (John 20:1–9 & John 20:19–31)
Use these videos as you discuss the Sunday Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Easter Sunday
• Holy Heroes
• God’s Story: Easter
• Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy)
• Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
• John 20:19–31
• Thomas Believes
• Holy Heroes
• Divine Mercy Sunday Explained
• What Is Divine Mercy Sunday?
• Divine Mercy Sunday (Second Sunday of Easter)
Canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis (4/27)
• Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint
Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope Resources
• Jubilee 2025 activities, handouts, resources, and more
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus is risen!
Happy Easter! This lesson is for two Sundays (Easter Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter). If your group meets for Easter, follow this lesson plan through the Gospel and end with the “My Easter Egg” activity. For the Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday), repeat the Gospel, cover the Catechism handbook material, and make the Easter booklets.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, scissors, glue, a stapler, a Church Year calendar, and copies of the story coloring page (one per child). We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance.
This is a great opportunity to emphasize to the children that the real meaning of Easter is more than the Easter Bunny and getting treats. Easter is the most important celebration for our Church family since we remember that Jesus was raised up from the death to give us new life.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflections and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole (Bible Bag)
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus is risen!
This lesson includes the Gospels for Easter Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy). If you meet with the children twice during that two-week period, follow the lesson plan through the Gospel in the first session. Repeat the Gospel and complete the activities that follow in your second session.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, crayons, family and Church Year calendars, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), and aide(s) to help with cutting and folding. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance.
As we recall Jesus’ greeting of peace when he appeared to his followers after his Resurrection, this is a good time to review the Sign of Peace with the children.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflections and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole (Bible Bag)
Good News
Lesson Theme: We are Jesus’ witnesses.
This lesson includes the Gospels for Easter Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy). If you meet with the children twice during that two-week period, follow the lesson plan through the Catholic Faith Word in the first session. Begin the second session with the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Easter and finish the activities that follow.
For this lesson, you will need pencils, crayons, scissors, drawing paper, and a Church Year calendar. If time is limited, you may wish to cut open the tomb on page 1 of the children’s lessons in advance.
Children can and should be witnesses to Jesus’ Resurrection. The sincere witness of a child can have great power and effect on adults. In the “How Will I Be a Witness?” activity, help the children come up with practical things they can do to share the Good News of God’s love and witness to the Resurrection. Gently lead them to practical and doable ways to witness.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus is raised to new life.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils; scissors; markers, crayons, or colored pencils; rosaries; a copy of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy; and a Liturgical Year calendar. We suggest that you prepare a sample of the activity on pages 7–8 in advance.
Note that this lesson covers both Easter Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy). The Gospel Readings may be read in one sitting—you may wish to have the children act them out to hold their attention. Also note that the editors include the story of the Risen Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene as a bridge between the two Sunday Gospels. Invite the children to consider what person in the Easter story they relate to most—Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, the Beloved Disciple (John), Thomas? Ask: Why are each of these faith stories important?
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
• Pope Francis Discusses Earth Day
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus is risen!
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils; markers, crayons, or colored pencils; Bibles (one per student), and a recording of “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today.”
Note that this lesson covers both Easter Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy). The Gospel Readings may be read in one sitting—you may wish to have the young people act them out to hold their attention. Also note that the editors include the story of the Risen Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene as a bridge between the two Sunday Gospels. Invite the young people to consider what person in the story in the Easter story they relate to most—Mary, Simon Peter, the Beloved Disciple (John), Thomas?
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (Modern Version)
• Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (Traditional Version)
Image credit: LumoProject.com
