Theme:
Jesus Says: “Do Not Be Afraid”
Gospel:
Matthew 10:26–33
Main Message:
Jesus knows us, loves us, and stays with us, so we do not need to be afraid.
1. Welcome & Gathering
(Gather the children calmly.)
Leader:
Good morning everyone.
Today we hear Jesus say something very important.
He says:
“Do not be afraid.”
Sometimes people feel frightened.
Sometimes we worry.
Sometimes we feel nervous.
But Jesus wants us to know that God loves us and cares for us.
Today we will learn that we are never alone because God is always with us.
Let us begin with the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader:
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for caring for us.
Help us to listen to Your word today.
Help us to trust You.
Help us not to be afraid.
Amen.
2. Opening Conversation
Ask:
- Have you ever felt scared?
- Have you ever been nervous on your first day somewhere?
- Have you ever worried about something?
Allow answers.
Then say:
Everyone feels afraid sometimes.
Even grown-ups.
But today Jesus teaches us that we can trust God because He loves us very much.
3. Gospel (Simplified)
Leader reads slowly and clearly:
Jesus said to His disciples:
“Do not be afraid.
Nothing hidden will stay hidden forever.
Do not be afraid of people.
Trust in God.
God cares even for the little sparrows.
Not one of them is forgotten.
And you are worth far more than many sparrows.
In fact, God knows you so well that He has counted every hair on your head.
So do not be afraid.
Anyone who follows Me and is faithful to Me,
I will welcome before My Father in Heaven.”
Leader:
The Gospel of the Lord.
Children:
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Reflection
Today Jesus repeats the same message again and again.
“Do not be afraid.”
Why does He keep saying it?
Because He knows people worry.
He knows people get frightened.
He knows life can be difficult.
But then Jesus tells us something amazing.
He says God notices even little sparrows.
Sparrows are tiny birds.
Many people hardly notice them.
But God notices every single one.
And then Jesus says something even more wonderful.
If God cares about sparrows,
how much more does He care about you?
You are God’s child.
You are precious to Him.
You matter to Him.
Jesus even says that God knows every hair on your head.
That means God knows everything about you.
Your name.
Your family.
Your worries.
Your joys.
Your hopes.
Your prayers.
God knows you completely.
And He loves you completely.
Built-In Activity 1: Who Knows You?
Leader asks:
Who knows your name?
Allow answers.
Mum?
Dad?
Grandparents?
Teachers?
Friends?
Then say:
God knows your name too.
And He knows you better than anyone else.
Built-In Activity 2: Sparrows
Ask:
Have you ever seen a bird in your garden?
What do birds need?
- food
- water
- shelter
Then say:
God takes care of birds.
And Jesus says God cares even more for us.
Deepening the Gospel
Sometimes people think God is far away.
But Jesus teaches us something different.
God is close.
God is watching over us.
God is helping us.
God is guiding us.
Even when we cannot see Him.
Think about a loving parent.
A child may not always see what Mum or Dad are doing.
But Mum and Dad are still caring for them.
God cares for us even more than that.
Built-In Activity 3: God Knows Me
Leader:
Let’s say together:
God knows me.
Children repeat.
God loves me.
Repeat.
God stays with me.
Repeat.
Built-In Activity 4: Trust Walk
Ask one child to close their eyes.
Another child gently guides them a few steps.
Then explain:
Sometimes we cannot see everything.
But we trust people who care for us.
We can trust God because He always loves us.
Quiet Prayer Moment
Leader:
Let us be quiet for a moment.
Jesus,
thank You for knowing me.
Pause.
Jesus,
thank You for loving me.
Pause.
Jesus,
help me trust You.
Pause.
Amen.
Living the Gospel This Week
Leader:
This week, when you feel worried or frightened, remember Jesus’ words:
“Do not be afraid.”
You can:
- say a prayer
- ask Jesus for help
- trust God
- talk to someone you trust
- remember that God is with you
Built-In Activity 5: Fear to Faith
Leader:
What can we do when we feel worried?
Allow answers.
Then say:
We can pray.
We can trust Jesus.
We can remember that God is with us.
Children’s Intercessions
Leader:
Jesus tells us not to be afraid because God loves us and cares for us.
Let us pray together.
For the Church,
that she may help people trust in God’s love.
Lord, hear us.
For Pope Leo, Bishop Patrick, priests, and deacons,
that God may bless and strengthen them.
Lord, hear us.
For children everywhere,
that they may know how much God loves them.
Lord, hear us.
For people who are worried, lonely, or frightened,
that they may find comfort in Jesus.
Lord, hear us.
For those who are sick,
that God may heal and strengthen them.
Lord, hear us.
For our families,
that we may grow in faith, love, and trust in God.
Lord, hear us.
(Optional Hail Mary.)
Closing Prayer
Leader:
Lord Jesus,
thank You for knowing us.
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for caring for us.
Help us trust You.
Help us follow You.
And help us remember that we never need to be afraid because You are always with us.
Amen.
Sending Back
Leader:
Today we heard:
God knows me.
God loves me.
God stays with me.
And because of that:
I do not need to be afraid.
Now let us return quietly to Mass.
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Additional Optional Activities
(Use one or two only. These support the liturgy rather than replacing it.)
1. What Are You Afraid Of?
Best place: Opening Conversation
Leader:
Sometimes people feel afraid.
What are some things children worry about?
Possible answers:
- the dark
- starting a new school
- being alone
- making mistakes
- being ill
Then say:
Jesus knows all our worries.
That is why He says:
“Do not be afraid.”
2. Sparrow Watch
Best place: After Gospel
Leader:
Have you ever seen a sparrow?
Or another little bird?
Do people always notice them?
(No)
But Jesus says God notices every single one.
Then explain:
If God notices every bird,
He certainly notices you.
3. God Knows My Name
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
When I point to you, say your first name.
(Children say names.)
Then say:
God knows every one of those names.
He never forgets them.
4. Count the Hairs
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
Can anyone count all the hairs on their head?
(No!)
But Jesus says God knows even that.
Then explain:
God knows us better than we know ourselves.
5. Parent and Child
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
If a child is frightened,
who do they often run to?
(Mum, Dad, Grandparents)
Why?
Because they trust them.
Then explain:
Jesus wants us to trust God like that.
6. Fear and Faith Actions
Best place: During Reflection
Leader:
When I say “afraid”, fold your arms.
When I say “Jesus”, open your hands.
When I say “trust”, place your hands together.
Repeat several times.
Then explain:
Jesus helps us move from fear to trust.
7. Jesus Is With Me
Best place: Before Quiet Prayer
Leader:
Repeat after me:
Jesus is with me.
Children repeat.
Jesus loves me.
Repeat.
Jesus helps me.
Repeat.
Jesus never leaves me.
Repeat.
8. Lost in a Shop
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
Have you ever lost sight of your mum or dad in a shop?
How did you feel?
Then ask:
How did you feel when you found them again?
Explain:
God never loses sight of us.
9. The Strong Shepherd
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
What does a shepherd do when a sheep is frightened?
- stays close
- protects it
- guides it
Then say:
Jesus is our Good Shepherd.
10. Worry Box
Best place: Before Quiet Prayer
Leader:
Imagine putting all your worries into a box.
Now imagine giving that box to Jesus.
Would He know what to do with it?
(Yes)
Then pray quietly.
11. Trust Fall Demonstration
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
Ask a volunteer if they trust a friend to catch their hands or guide them gently.
Then explain:
Trust means believing someone will care for us.
We can trust God because He loves us.
12. Saints Who Trusted God
Best place: Near Ending
Leader:
Many saints were afraid sometimes.
St Peter.
St Joan of Arc.
St Patrick.
St Bernadette.
But they trusted God and followed Him anyway.
13. Echo Prayer
Best place: Before Intercessions
Leader:
Jesus says—
Children:
Do not be afraid!
Leader:
God knows me—
Children:
Do not be afraid!
Leader:
God loves me—
Children:
Do not be afraid!
14. What Does God Know?
Best place: Reflection
Leader asks:
Does God know:
Your name?
(Yes)
Your family?
(Yes)
Your worries?
(Yes)
Your prayers?
(Yes)
Then explain:
Nothing about us is hidden from God.
15. Light in the Dark
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
What helps when a room is dark?
(A light)
Then explain:
Jesus helps us when we feel frightened or worried.
He is the light that guides us.
16. Prayer Hands Activity
Best place: Living the Gospel
Leader:
What can we do when we are worried?
Children answer:
Pray.
Then practise:
“Jesus, help me.”
Simple but powerful.
17. The Little Bird
Best place: After Gospel
Leader:
If you found a tiny injured bird, would you care about it?
(Yes)
Then explain:
God cares even more about every one of His children.
18. Courage Challenge
Best place: Living the Gospel
This week I will:
- say my prayers
- trust Jesus when worried
- help someone
- be brave when doing good
- remember God loves me
Children choose one.
19. Repeat Prayer
Best place: Before Closing Prayer
Leader:
God knows me.
Children repeat.
God loves me.
Repeat.
God stays with me.
Repeat.
I do not need to be afraid.
Repeat.
20. Final Memory Line
Best place: Sending Back
Repeat together three times:
“God knows me.
God loves me.
God stays with me.”
A simple line that most children will remember long after the liturgy ends.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 