virtual-catholic-youth

Virtual Catholic Youth - providing virtual food for the soul and resources for all young Christians, so that we can, pray a little better and love a lot more.

[TheMark10Mission @mark10mission]

How can we help children to follow Jesus?

As we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul this Sunday, it is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what it really means to follow Jesus.


Does following Jesus simply mean believing that he existed? Does it mean believing that he is God? Does it mean going to church or trying to be a good person? Certainly, all of these things matter, but following Jesus means something even deeper.


I often wonder what Saints Peter and Paul themselves would have understood following Jesus to mean. As practising Jews, they would have been familiar with the tradition of following a rabbi or teacher. For them, following a rabbi was not simply about studying his teachings or admiring him from a distance. It meant centring your whole life on that person.


When Jesus called Peter, he left everything behind. As the hymn beautifully puts it, he "left his fishing nets and boats upon the shore." Jesus became the focal point of Peter's life. His greatest desire was to know him, love him and become more like him.


The same is true for us today. We can help children understand that following Jesus is about far more than learning facts about him. It is about knowing him personally and building a real relationship with him.


We grow in that relationship when we speak to Jesus in prayer, spend time listening to his voice in Scripture, receive him at Mass, and make daily choices inspired by his love. Every act of kindness, every moment of forgiveness, every time we turn to him in our hearts, we take another step in following him.


Saints Peter and Paul remind us that Jesus does not simply ask for our admiration. He invites us into friendship with him. And when children discover that Jesus knows them, loves them and wants to walk with them every day, following him becomes not a duty, but a joyful response to his love.

[virtual-catholic-youth @virtualcatholi1]

If at the Royal Norfolk show and thirsting for more, the Diocesan stands are great (free water and drinks out of the sun) #SongsofPraise too, airing 14 Aug. Fantastic day, you can still come, after 4pm tickets available. Loved the care shown by all animal handlers in the heat.

[virtual-catholic-youth @virtualcatholi1]

One thing I've learnt this Lent... Is that any feeling of discouragement comes from the evil one.

In recent Gospels, there was a theme of running. Like the Disciples who ran to the tomb, so should we.

If we keep running towards the Lord, how can we be discouraged?

[virtual-catholic-youth @virtualcatholi1]

@KatiePMcGrady Happy Easter to you all. Thank you for all you so to bring the Gospel to life for so many of us.

[Ascension @AscensionPress]

Happy Easter! Alleluia, He is risen! 🙏🤍

[TheMark10Mission @mark10mission]

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.

[virtual-catholic-youth @virtualcatholi1]

@AscensionPress @CatholicAssoc Lord Jesus Christ,
on this holy day You gave Your life for our salvation.
As we come to accompany you,
help us to do so willingly - with reverence, humility, and love.

[virtual-catholic-youth @virtualcatholi1]

It's not often we reach out to ask our network to repost and share our latest resource set - but we think these curated confirmation resources are pretty special; and just can't sit hidden online waiting for people to find them.

#Confirmation

https://t.co/Ypj6rNq7UU

[virtual-catholic-youth @virtualcatholi1]

@KatiePMcGrady Happy New Year to you too.

[TheMark10Mission @mark10mission]

Sr Chiara sings Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. A beautiful way to introduce children to the great themes of Advent 🎶

https://t.co/DgzUiynZSu

[TheMark10Mission @mark10mission]

The theme for the First Sunday of Advent is HOPE.
When sharing the hope of Advent, it's important to understand that our hope goes way deeper than hoping to get nice things for Christmas.
The hope of Advent is trusting in the promise that one day we will meet Jesus face to face.

[virtual-catholic-youth @virtualcatholi1]

Happy New Year! Waiting for our Lord to come, patiently - and with a smile on our face. Thanks to all our friends at @mark10mission and Sr. Chiara for sharing our favourite Advent Hymn

https://t.co/f1zezH4VvS

Great content shaping young lives on their journey to our Lord

[Ascension @AscensionPress]

Lord, thank you for the gift of the Eucharist.

[Knitting Nun 💙 @KnittingNun]

Enjoying the 40th anniversary of #LiveAid. Takes me back! But I have to ask why is it that 40yrs on when there is enough food produced in the world are so many still starving? #foodpoverty

[virtual-catholic-youth @virtualcatholi1]

Lord I need you. I place my trust in you. Show me what you want from me, because that's what I want too.

Amen Amen.

Happy 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time!

[virtual-catholic-youth @virtualcatholi1]

O Holy Spirit, illuminate my mind and warm my heart, that I may discern the path of holiness to which the Lord calls me. Help me to listen to the voice of God in stillness and attention, recognizing His presence in my daily life. May I grow in friendship with Jesus, Amen

[virtual-catholic-youth @virtualcatholi1]

Loving @christendomapp and @magisteriumai

We will be adding links to their excellent resources on our website coming soon.

Also in development is a content library for Confirmation Candidates - which we're very excited to launch.

[Magisterium AI @magisteriumai]

TOMORROW! Our interactive webinar, "Why the Church may be key to saving civilization," is Jun 12, 1PM ET.

Discover how the Catholic Church offers a moral compass for AI. Ask your questions LIVE!

🔗 Livestream: https://t.co/vT3tFfa4Ww

Details & Reg: https://t.co/KiXd5zftdO

[TheMark10Mission @mark10mission]

A beautiful prayer posture to try when praying to the Holy Spirit is to open our hands. Encourage children to “Think about receiving a gift”. If you are praying with children at Pentecost, why not give this a try?

[virtual-catholic-youth @virtualcatholi1]

Your plan is better than anything else Lord. Help me to trust in you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.