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Jesus is risen! Alleluia! Today, Christians around the world celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who defeated death to give us eternal life with him. Let’s join the angels and saints in Heaven to give glory to the Risen Lord, who is bigger and stronger than death and who is with us now and until the end of time.
In early April 2020 near the beginning of the pandemic, nearly 250 children from the French Federation of Pueri Cantores (Children Singers) came together virtually for a recorded performance the Alleluia Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.” Find it here.
May we all pray (sing) along with these words from the chorus:
“For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”
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 online resources.
Videos of Sunday’s Gospel
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Easter Sunday
• Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
• Holy Heroes
• God’s Story: Easter
• Sunday Setup—Weekly Video and Post (courtesy of the Diocese of Bridgeport)
2nd 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)
• Sunday Setup—Weekly Video and Post (courtesy of the Diocese of Bridgeport)
Other Resources
• Pope Leo XIV and the Papacy
• Special Message from Pope Leo to Young People (NCYC | November 21, 2025)
For Catholic Schools
• Albert’s Expeditions Join Albert, a fierce yet friendly Peregrine Falcon, named after Saint Albert the Great (who even gave the Peregrine Falcon its name 800 years ago!) on scientific expeditions all around the globe. From under the soil to the sky full of stars, discover the stunning natural world full of life that God has created. Meant for children ages 5–10 and all families who want to learn more about their beautiful world around them and the Divine Creator who formed it all.
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus is risen!
This Seeds lesson builds on children’s appreciation of the beauty around them in nature and leads them to praise God for setting them in such a world of new spring life. You will need crayons and a Church Year calendar.
This lesson includes the Gospels for Easter Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy). We have also added the Gospel about Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene (John 20:10–18) to serve as a bridge between the two Gospels.
If your group meets on two occasions during this time period, do the part of the lesson that has the Easter Gospel and the Easter Egg Hunt activity on page 4 on Easter Sunday. On the 2nd Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy), review the Gospel with Creative Drama and concentrate on the Signs of New Life activity on pages 2–3.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Easter Sunday
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
2nd Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy)
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Promise
Lesson Theme: God raised Jesus to new life.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, crayons, a Bible, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), and Church Year calendar. Prepare in advance for the Our Easter Story Picture Show (pages 1–4) by cutting the vertical lines in the children’s picture screens. You can do this with scissors by folding the screen in half and then cutting. Another method is to use a utility knife. If you use a utility knife, be sure that the surface you’re cutting on is protected. Note that for this activity in the bilingual version of the student lesson, the children will need to join pages 4 and 1 using tape, so that page 4 is to the left and page 1 is to the right.
This lesson includes the Gospels for Easter Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy). We have also added the Gospel about Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene (John 20:10–18) to serve as a bridge between the two Gospels.
If you meet twice during this time period, follow the lesson plan through Creative Drama in the first session. Begin the second session with Gospel Ritual and Gospel for the Second Sunday of Easter, then finish the activities. Use the Extending Activity “Church Visit” and the story coloring page for “The Easter Egg Hunt” as needed.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Easter Sunday
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
2nd Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy)
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Good News
Lesson Theme: We celebrate the joy of Jesus’ Resurrection.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, tape or glue sticks, craft sticks (four per child), drawing paper, crayons, a Church Year calendar, and materials for creating a class Easter candle. If time is limited, you may wish to prepare the Easter candle in advance. It can be simple or elaborate. Since many parishes and schools do not allow open flames in their classrooms, your candle does not need to be made of wax. A cardboard tube from a roll of gift wrap may serve the purpose well. The cross and other symbols can be added with tape or tacks. Be sure to find a way to “light” your candle. You might make a flame from cardboard, felt, paper, or pipe cleaner. Figure out in advance how you will attach it to the candle. Plan to display and “light” the Easter candle every time your class meets during Easter Time.
This lesson includes the Gospels for Easter and the Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy). We have also added the Gospel about Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene (John 20:10–18) to serve as a bridge between the two Gospels.
If you meet twice during this time period, follow the lesson plan through the Know questions following the Easter Gospel in the first session. Begin the second session with the Gospel Ritual and Gospel for the Second Sunday of Easter and complete the activities that follow.
Do your best to work in the Works of Mercy section of the What the Church Believes and Teaches section of the lesson plan. It’s important to impress upon the children the significance of putting our belief in Jesus and his Resurrection into practical expressions of love for others.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Venture
Lesson Theme: We are witnesses of Jesus’ Resurrection.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils, scissors, paper clips, coloring tools, one photocopy of the lesson cover, Bibles (one per child), and a Liturgical Year calendar. We suggest that you assemble a sample booklet (pages 5–8) in advance. Plan ahead for a church visit (optional).
This is a double lesson for the celebration of Easter and the Second Sunday of Easter. Note that the lesson also includes the “bridge” Gospel in which Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. This is a long Gospel Reading. Make sure to give the children time for breaks and movement. You may even wish to have them act out the Gospel story.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus rises from the dead.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils, scissors, stapler, coloring tools, index cards, hangers, cardstock, Bibles (one per student), rosary (one per student), large bowl of water, and flowers.
This is a double lesson for the celebration of Easter and the Second Sunday of Easter. Note that the lesson also includes the “bridge” Gospel in which Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. This is a long Gospel Reading. Make sure to give the children time for breaks and movement. You may even wish to have them act out the Gospel story.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
• “Easter Alleluia”
Image credit: Joan Sutter/Cathopic.com
