Begin with a few moments of quiet.

Invite all present to sit comfortably.
When sitting comfortably, take three deep breaths, as you breathe in feel your lungs filling all the way up, when they are full slowly release your breath and feel your lungs emptying out fully. Repeat this three times.
Now return to breathing normally.

Opening ourselves to the Presence of God in our lives

Have a conversation, allowing each person present a few moments to think about and to reply to the following.
Thinking back over the week, let us share with one another
What is it that I want to say thank you for?
What is it that want to say I am sorry for?

Use a piece of quietening music to help come into a space of prayer

Now begin with the following prayer:

Dear God,
Thank you that we can celebrate Jesus
Thank you for all He did for us
And all that He continues to do
Help us to trust in you
Even when we don’t understand what’s happening
We know you work things for good
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!

Introduce the Gospel

Today is the Seventh Sunday of Easter also called Ascension Sunday

Do you remember last week Jesus told his disciples that he would be always with them, even though he was leaving them. He told them they would know him through loving each other.
Today we hear how Jesus ascended, or rose, up into Heaven to be with His Father. We hear about the message He left his Disciples so they could continue His great works. Let’s read about it from the Gospel of Matthew

Read the Gospel Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus told the eleven disciples to go to a hill in Galilee where he would meet them.

When they arrived there , Jesus appeared to them and said, “I want you to go to all peoples living far and wide, and make them disciples of mine; baptise them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and teach them to keep the commandments I have given to you. Whatever you do, and wherever you go, I will always be with you, until the end of time”. Then Jesus was taken up into heaven and the disciples returned to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit to come.

Have a Conversation about the Gospel

What do you remember about today’s reading?
Where did Jesus go?

He returned to His father in Heaven.

Why did Jesus leave his Disciples?

It was time for Jesus to be with his Father again. He had done everything that his Father had wanted him to do.

How do we feel when someone we love very much has to leave and go away? How do you think the Disciples felt?

They were filled with great sadness because they knew that they would not see Jesus again in this world and they felt alone and afraid.
Jesus knew how sad and afraid his friends would feel but he told them he would be with them always.

How would he be with them?

Through the power of the Holy Spirit and through the sharing of bread and wine at the eucharistic meal.  In the same way, Jesus shares himself with us.

What was the job Jesus gave to his disciples?

To go out to the peoples of the world and to baptise them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and to share his love and teaching with everyone so they would become Christ’s followers.

Who does this job today?

Sometimes people called missionaries travel to far off countries to share God’s word and faith with others but each one of us in our own way can do the same with those around us because we all have the Holy Spirit living within us and God’s goodness working through us.

End with a prayer

Lord Jesus, help us to remember that you are with us always and we need never be afraid. Help us to go out and do your work in this world until we see you again when you come back to us at the end of time. Amen

Short Video of this Gospel story

Some Activities

Here are some activities you might like to complete during the coming week as a reminder of this Gospel today.

Various Puzzles