Submitted by
S. Daly

Age Group
8-14

Aim
To celebrate the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

Faith Group
Catholic
Christian

Resources
Hosts, wine, water, candles, chalice, ciborium, cloths, altar frontal showing a rock and lots of footprints
Large sheets of paper showing the Psalm and Bidding Prayers responses

Time of Year
The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul - June 29th

Other Details
This is written as a Mass for a Catholic school, but could be adapted for other services

Script
ENTRANCE HYMN - "Be still and know" Anon. (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 71)

PRIEST - FIRST PRAYER
God our Father, today we joyfully celebrate the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul. Through them, your people first heard the good news.
May we be strong enough to continue the work of spreading the good news.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHILD - FIRST READING Ps. 30: 1-3
A rock is a symbol of strength. This reading is from a song to God, in which we tell him that we rely on him. He is like a rock we can be sure of.

In you, 0 Lord, I take refuge. In your justice, set me free. Hear me and speedily rescue me. Be a ROCK of refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me, for you are my ROCK, my stronghold. For your name's sake, lead me and guide me.
This is the word of the Lord...

CHILD - RESPONSORIAL PSALM
The response is .... God is our rock.

A rock is solid. A rock is strong.
Response ...

A rock is big. A rock is always there.
Response ...

A rock is not afraid of the dark. A rock is not afraid of anything.
Response ...

A rock has caves for people to hide in. A rock gives a home to birds and animals.
Response ...

A rock never runs away. A rock can see the country all around.
Response ...

CHILD - SECOND READING Mt. 7: 21, 24-27
The second reading tells us that if we do what Jesus says, we will be as safe as a house built on rock.

" It's no good just saying that you will do what my Father wants!
You must really get on with it!
If you do as I tell you, you will be as safe as the man who built his house on a rock.
The rains came and the land was flooded.
The wind blew and lashed against the house.
But it did not fall down, because it was built firmly on a rock."
This is the word of the Lord...

CHILD - ALLELUIA
Alleluia, alleluia!
You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.
Alleluia!

PRIEST - GOSPEL Mt. 16: 13-18
One day, when Jesus was praying with his disciples, he asked them this question, "Who do the people say I am?"
The disciples replied, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
"But you," Jesus said, "who do you say I am?"
Then Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Jesus was pleased. "Simon, son of Jonah, you are a happy man. It was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.
So now I say to you - YOU ARE PETER AND ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD
MY CHURCH."
This is the Gospel of the Lord...

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL - (BIDDING PRAYERS)

PRIEST
God our Father, you are like a rock - you are strong and steadfast.
Listen now, as we pray.

CHILDREN
1. We pray for our leaders - for Pope (John Paul), Bishop (Cormac) and his priests. May they continue to have the strength to spread the good news. Lord in your mercy ... (hear our prayer.)

2. We pray for our leaders - for politicians. May they have the strength to make wise and fair decisions.
Lord in your mercy ... (hear our prayer.)

3. We pray that the people here will be strong enough to do what they find difficult - like forgiving people who have hurt them, or being helpful when they are tired.
Lord in your mercy ... (hear our prayer.)

4. We pray that we will be strong enough to believe. May our faith be as steady as a rock.
Lord in your mercy ... (hear our prayer.)

5. We make our prayer through Mary ... Hail Mary ...

OFFERTORY HYMN - "Take our bread" by Joseph Wise (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 678)

PRIEST - SECOND PRAYER
Almighty God, we offer you these gifts on the feast of your saints, Peter and Paul. Accept our offerings - and help us to give ourselves in service and love, just as they did, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER FOR CHILDREN

PRIEST - THIRD PRAYER
Father, through sharing in this Eucharist, we share your own life.
Strengthen us with that courage with which you strengthened your apostles, Peter and Paul, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

HYMN - "We are one in the Spirit" by Peter Scholtes (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 769)