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.

Catholic schools are being invited to join Bishop Gerard Bradley of @RC_Southwark along with the @mark10mission at 11am on Friday 20 March for an online Stations of the Cross - find out more: catholiceducation.org.uk/new… @rcaoseducation @GregoryFinn

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

The moon over Derry tonight; and Sr Clare - who reflected so beautifully the joy and radiance of Christ! #SrClareCrockett #HomeOfTheMother @EWTN

From @mark10mission: schools are being invited to pray the Rosary online with Archbishop John Wilson and The Mark 10 Mission this October! Find out more: catholiceducation.org.uk/new… @GregoryFinn

⁠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

YORKSHIRE WIN! A fantastic victory over Lancashire in York 💙

I gave a speech today in an empty chamber. It’s about the need for a Christian restoration.

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

This week’s Mission is simple but powerful: at the moment of consecration, lift your eyes and look at Jesus. Tell your heart, “There He is — He’s here with me.” #Mark10Mission #Mission #Eucharist #SundayMass #CatholicKids

On the day of Pentecost, Jesus's friends were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gave them all the courage, confidence and wisdom they needed to do what they were called to do.

The Ascension - Ep36 The Ascension is the moment when Jesus went back up to heaven. We contemplate the awe and wonder of the Ascension together and also begin a prayer challenge called @thykingdom_come Watch here ⬇️ youtu.be/TOiTP8edS4Q