In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus says: "Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28 These beautiful words are an invitation to every one of us. Jesus knows that sometimes people feel tired, worried, lonely, or overwhelmed. His first desire is not to place more burdens on us, but to draw us close to Himself. As Catholics, we are not only invited to come to Jesus ourselves, we are also commissioned to help others come to Him. To be commissioned means to be sent with a purpose. Every baptised Christian has been given that mission. When we lead children to Jesus, we are helping them discover that they too have been sent. They do not need to wait until they are older to share Christ's love. A kind word, an act of forgiveness, inviting someone to join in a game, praying for a friend, or comforting someone who is sad can all become ways of leading others towards Jesus. This week, let us encourage children to see themselves as people who have been sent by Jesus. Wherever they notice someone carrying a heavy heart, may they gently help that person take one step closer to the One who says, "Come to me... and I will give you rest." Greg writes the Word of the Week as an encouragement and focus for you this week.

As Christians, we are called to love others with agape love. That’s the selfless, generous love that seeks the good of another. It is the kind of love God has for us and the love we are invited to share with others. But as children learn to love others in this way, we must also help them know that they themselves are loved. As we grow older, many things can cloud our understanding of God's love. We can begin to believe that we are not good enough, that we have to earn approval, or that we are only valuable when we succeed. Sadly, these thoughts can take root in childhood too. Many children quietly carry doubts about themselves. Some begin to believe they are not clever enough, talented enough or popular enough. Yet Jesus tells us a different story. In Matthew 10:26-33, Jesus reminds His disciples that not even a sparrow falls without the Father's knowledge and care. He tells them, "You are of more value than many sparrows." God does not love us because of what we can do. He loves us because we are His children. When children discover this truth, they become freer to accept themselves, kinder towards others, and more open to sharing God's love with the world. This week, let us help children rest in the certainty that they are known, valued, and deeply loved by God. Perhaps we can encourage them to repeat this simple prayer in their hearts: "Jesus, thank You for loving me. Help me to accept Your love for me. Amen." Greg writes the Word of the Week as an encouragement and focus for you this week.

On Easter Sunday, one word returns to our churches with particular joy: Alleluia. Throughout Lent, this word is absent from our liturgy. It is set aside, almost as if the Church is holding its breath. Then, at the Easter Vigil and on Easter morning, it bursts forth again, sung with great joy: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia comes from the Hebrew phrase Hallelu Yah, which means “Praise the Lord.” It is a word of pure praise, a joyful cry that God is good and worthy of our worship. In Catholic schools and parishes, children quickly notice its return at Easter. After weeks without hearing it at Mass, suddenly it is everywhere, in hymns, in responses, in joyful singing. And the reason is simple: Jesus is risen. Easter is the greatest feast of the Church because it proclaims that death does not have the final word. The sorrow of Good Friday has given way to the joy of the Resurrection. The tomb is empty. Christ is alive. That is why the Church sings Alleluia. It is our cry of joy, our song of praise, our proclamation that Christ has conquered death. Children understand joy instinctively. They know what it means to celebrate good news. Easter invites all of us to share in that same joy the joy that comes from knowing that Jesus is alive and that his love is stronger than death. St Pope John Paul II once expressed this beautifully when he said: “We are the Easter people and Alleluia is our song.” Those words remind us that Easter is not just one day on the calendar. It is the heart of our faith and the source of our hope. And so, on Easter morning and throughout the Easter season, the Church sings with joy: Alleluia! Christ is risen. Alleluia! Greg writes the Word of the Week as an encouragement and focus for you this week.

Lent is a time to make more space for Jesus. We’ve created free, ready-to-use resources for schools and families to pray and grow together this season. You’ll receive simple prayer guides, class and home missions, printable posters, and Wonder Questions to help children enter in. Find it on our website: themark10mission.co.uk/ #Mark10Mission #Lent #Catholic #CatholicSchools #CatholicFamilies #CatholicKids

Celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes with this beautiful Little Liturgy 💙 youtu.be/IBOjhJSDPaM

Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St Bernadette Soubirous eighteen times in the Grotto at Lourdes. St Bernadette, who was thirteen years old at the time of the apparitions, had led a difficult life. Her family was extremely poor and her health was fragile. During an apparition, Our Lady said to St Bernadette, “I do not promise to make you happy in this world but in the other.” The life of Jesus was marked by suffering. When we choose to follow him, our lives don’t automatically become perfect or easy. We still face difficulties and challenges. However, we can invite Jesus into our sufferings, in a beautiful and mystical way we can unite them with his sufferings on the cross so that we may be glorified with him. (CCC 793) …we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:4-5 Greg writes the Word of the Week as an encouragement and focus for you this week. #Lourdes #Catholic #Jesus

⁠In Luke 14:25–33, Jesus speaks of building a tower and carrying a cross, real discipleship puts Him first.⁠ ⁠ This week:⁠ — Count: name one real cost⁠ — Choose: let it go for Him⁠ — Commit: “Jesus, I am Yours”⁠ — Witness: tell a friend⁠ ⁠ #Mark10Mission #Gospel #Discipleship #CatholicKids #SundayMass

Saints Peter and Paul Pray for us.

Be bold like Peter and Paul! This week’s Mark 10 Mission is to show your love for Jesus without worrying what others think. Pray, sing, kneel, or carry your rosary — be a witness and lead others to Him. #Mark10Mission #Mission #SaintPeter #SaintPaul #CatholicKids

This week, Sister Chiara sings Follow Me — a reminder that Jesus still calls each of us to walk with Him. As children hear these words, may they be inspired to listen for His voice and follow with courage and joy. #Mark10Mission #CatholicKids #FollowMe #Worship

"Jesus, I Trust in You" This coming Sunday, we hear in the Gospel how Jesus sends out seventy-two of his friends on mission. He invites them to trust him and take little with them. In our celebration of the Word, we invite children to trust Jesus too 🙏 youtu.be/IaZPF82QNdc

This Sunday, Jesus sends 72 friends ahead to prepare people to meet Him. He still invites children to do the same today. They can help others — even adults — encounter His love. Jesus doesn’t need their help, but He wants it. That’s His joy. #Mark10Mission #Gospel

Why did Jesus send His friends out with so little — no bags, no money, not even spare sandals? And what did they learn from it? This week’s Wonder Questions invite children to reflect on what it means to trust God completely. #Mark10Mission #WonderQuestions #CatholicKids

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You. ❤️‍🔥 Today we celebrate a beautiful solemnity. The heart of Jesus is forever burning with love for us. He invites us into his love and to let his Sacred Heart shape our own. #SacredHeart #Mark10Mission