Theme: Following Jesus and Sharing the Good News
Gospel: Matthew 16:13–19
Main Message:
Peter recognised who Jesus truly is, and Jesus chose Peter to help lead His Church. Like Peter and Paul, we are called to know Jesus, love Him, and share Him with others.
1. Welcome & Gathering
(Gather the children calmly.)
Leader:
Good morning everyone.
Today we celebrate two very special saints: Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
They were very different people.
Peter was a fisherman.
Paul was a teacher and traveller.
Peter sometimes got things wrong.
Paul once tried to stop Christians from following Jesus.
But both became great saints because they loved Jesus and followed Him.
Today we will learn how Jesus called them and how they helped spread the Good News throughout the world.
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 Peter and Paul.
Thank You for Your Church.
Help us to listen to Your word today.
Help us to follow You.
Help us to share Your love with others.
Amen.
2. Opening Conversation
Ask:
- Have you ever had a best friend?
- What makes someone a good friend?
- Have you ever helped someone?
- Have you ever been chosen for an important job?
Allow answers.
Then say:
Today we hear about Peter.
Jesus gave Peter a very important job.
And we celebrate Paul too, who travelled to many places telling people about Jesus.
3. Gospel (Simplified)
Leader reads slowly and clearly:
One day Jesus asked His disciples:
“Who do people say that I am?”
They gave different answers.
Then Jesus asked:
“But who do you say I am?”
Peter answered:
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus was pleased.
He said:
“Peter, you are blessed.
God has helped you understand this.
You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.
I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Children:
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Reflection
Today Jesus asks a question.
And it is the most important question anyone can answer.
“Who do you say I am?”
Peter gives the right answer.
He says:
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Peter understood something amazing.
Jesus was not just a teacher.
Not just a good man.
Not just a prophet.
Jesus is the Son of God.
And because Peter believed this, Jesus gave him a special mission.
Peter would help lead the Church.
He became the first Pope.
Built-In Activity 1: Who Is Jesus?
Leader asks:
Who is Jesus?
Possible answers:
- God’s Son
- Our Saviour
- Our Friend
- Our Lord
Then say:
Peter knew who Jesus really was.
And every Christian must answer that same question.
Peter Was Not Perfect
Sometimes people imagine saints were perfect.
Peter wasn’t.
He made mistakes.
He got frightened.
He even denied Jesus three times.
Yet Jesus still loved him.
Jesus forgave him.
Jesus helped him become a saint.
That should encourage us.
We all make mistakes.
But Jesus never gives up on us.
Built-In Activity 2: Mistakes
Ask:
Have you ever made a mistake?
Did someone forgive you?
Allow answers.
Then say:
Jesus forgave Peter.
And Jesus forgives us too.
Paul Was Different
Now let’s think about Paul.
Before he became a saint, Paul did not like Christians.
He thought they were wrong.
But one day Jesus appeared to him.
Everything changed.
Paul became one of the greatest missionaries ever.
He travelled thousands of miles telling people about Jesus.
He helped bring the Gospel to the world.
Built-In Activity 3: Good News
Ask:
If something exciting happened, would you keep it secret?
(No!)
What would you do?
(Tell people.)
Then say:
Paul had the best news ever.
Jesus had risen from the dead.
And Paul wanted everyone to know.
The Keys
Jesus gives Peter the keys of the Kingdom.
Why keys?
Because keys open doors.
Peter was given the responsibility of helping people find their way to Jesus.
Even today the Pope is Peter’s successor.
The Church still carries on the mission Jesus gave to Peter.
Built-In Activity 4: Keys
Ask:
What do keys open?
- Houses
- Cars
- Doors
Then explain:
Jesus gave Peter special keys because Peter would help open the way to God’s Kingdom.
Peter and Paul Together
Peter and Paul were very different.
Peter was a fisherman.
Paul was highly educated.
Peter stayed close to Rome.
Paul travelled all over the world.
But both loved Jesus.
Both followed Jesus.
Both gave their lives for Jesus.
And both became saints.
That means God can use all kinds of people.
Quiet people.
Loud people.
Young people.
Old people.
People with different talents.
Including you.
Built-In Activity 5: God Can Use Me
Leader:
Let’s say together:
God loves me.
(Repeat)
God has a plan for me.
(Repeat)
God can use me.
(Repeat)
Quiet Prayer Moment
Leader:
Let us be quiet for a moment.
Jesus, thank You for Peter.
Pause.
Jesus, thank You for Paul.
Pause.
Jesus, help me to follow You.
Pause.
Jesus, help me to be brave.
Pause.
Amen.
Living the Gospel This Week
Leader:
This week we can be like Peter and Paul by:
- saying our prayers every day
- coming to Mass
- helping someone in need
- telling others about Jesus
- being brave when it is difficult to do the right thing
Built-In Activity 6: Saints Challenge
Ask:
Which one will you choose this week?
- Pray every day?
- Help someone?
- Be brave?
- Talk about Jesus?
Allow answers.
Children’s Intercessions
Leader:
Today we thank God for Saints Peter and Paul.
Let us pray together.
For the Church throughout the world, that she may remain faithful to Jesus.
Lord, hear us.
For Pope Leo, the successor of Saint Peter, that God may bless and strengthen him.
Lord, hear us.
For bishops, priests, and deacons, that they may help people come closer to Jesus.
Lord, hear us.
For missionaries who share the Gospel around the world, that God may bless their work.
Lord, hear us.
For children everywhere, that they may grow in faith and love.
Lord, hear us.
For the sick and those who are sad or lonely, that Jesus may comfort them.
Lord, hear us.
For our families, that we may follow Jesus together.
Lord, hear us.
(Optional Hail Mary.)
Closing Prayer
Leader:
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Peter.
Thank You for Paul.
Help us to know You.
Help us to love You.
Help us to follow You.
And help us to share Your Good News with others.
Amen.
Sending Back
Leader:
Today we heard:
Peter said:
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Peter followed Jesus.
Paul followed Jesus.
And we can follow Jesus too.
Let us return quietly to Mass.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Optional Additional Activities
7. Different but United
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
Were Peter and Paul the same?
(No)
Peter was a fisherman.
Paul was a traveller and teacher.
Peter and Paul had different gifts.
But they both loved Jesus.
Then explain:
God made each of us different.
We do not all have to be the same to be saints.
8. Who Would You Choose?
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
If you were starting an important team, would you choose:
- a fisherman who sometimes got things wrong?
- someone who once made bad choices?
Probably not!
Yet Jesus chose Peter and Paul.
Then explain:
Jesus sees what people can become.
Not just what they are today.
9. Building on a Rock
Best place: After Gospel
Leader:
What happens if you build a sandcastle near the sea?
(It washes away.)
What happens if you build on solid rock?
(It stays strong.)
Then explain:
Jesus called Peter “the rock.”
Jesus wanted His Church to be strong and secure.
10. The Church Family
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
How many churches are there around the world?
Thousands!
Millions of Catholics!
Then explain:
We are all part of one Church.
The same Church Jesus built on Peter.
11. Peter’s Courage
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
Was Peter always brave?
(No.)
Sometimes he was frightened.
But after Jesus rose from the dead, Peter became very courageous.
Then explain:
God can help us become stronger too.
12. Paul’s Journey
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
Has anyone been on a long journey?
Where did you go?
Paul travelled thousands of miles.
He travelled by foot and by ship.
All to tell people about Jesus.
Then explain:
Paul loved Jesus so much he wanted everyone to know Him.
13. Good News Relay
Best place: Reflection
Whisper a short message to one child.
The child passes it to another.
Continue around the group.
Then explain:
The Good News of Jesus has been passed from person to person for 2,000 years.
Peter and Paul helped pass it on.
Now it is our turn.
14. What Would You Tell Jesus?
Best place: Quiet Prayer
Leader:
If Jesus asked you:
“Who do you say I am?”
What would you answer?
Allow a few responses.
Then explain:
Each person must answer that question for themselves.
15. Follow the Leader
Best place: Reflection
Play a quick follow-the-leader game.
Then ask:
Why were you following?
Because you trusted the leader.
Then explain:
Jesus asks us to follow Him because He knows the way to Heaven.
16. Keys Activity
Best place: After Gospel
Pretend to hold a bunch of keys.
Ask:
What keys might people have?
- house keys
- car keys
- school keys
Then explain:
Jesus gave Peter special keys because Peter had a special responsibility in the Church.
17. Saints Are Made
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
Were Peter and Paul born saints?
(No.)
They became saints by following Jesus every day.
Then explain:
Saints are not born saints.
They become saints by saying yes to God.
18. Team Jesus
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
Football teams need different players.
Goalkeepers.
Defenders.
Midfielders.
Strikers.
Not everyone does the same job.
Then explain:
The Church is similar.
God gives different gifts to different people.
But we all belong to the same team.
19. Mission Impossible?
Best place: Reflection
Leader:
Do you think twelve ordinary men could change the world?
Probably not by themselves.
Yet with God’s help they did.
Then explain:
Nothing is impossible with God.
20. Peter and Paul Challenge
Best place: Living the Gospel
This week I will:
□ Say my prayers every day
□ Be brave when doing the right thing
□ Help someone in need
□ Tell someone that Jesus loves them
□ Come to Mass with a happy heart
Children choose one.
21. Saints in Heaven
Best place: Near Ending
Leader:
Where are Peter and Paul now?
(In Heaven.)
What are saints doing in Heaven?
(Praising God and praying for us.)
Then explain:
Peter and Paul still pray for the Church today.
22. Final Echo
Best place: Sending Back
Leader:
Peter followed Jesus—
Children: So can I!
Paul followed Jesus—
Children: So can I!
Jesus loves me—
Children: I will follow Him!
Repeat three times.
This one usually works particularly well with younger children and leaves them with a memorable takeaway.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 