Submitted by
S. Daly

Age Group
5-11

Aim
To celebrate Ascension Day

Faith Group
Catholic
Christian

Resources
Hosts, wine, water, candles, Paschal candle, chalice, ciborium, cloths, altar frontal showing a scene from the Gospel (possibly a house with many rooms - each room designed by a different child)

Time of Year
A Thursday in May forty days after Easter, in the Easter season (Date depends on the date of Easter Sunday)

Other Details
This is a Mass for a Catholic school but can be adapted and used as another type of service/assembly
The First Reading could be read by two children, taking the parts of Jesus and a narrator

Script
HYMN - Walk in the light by D. Lundy (Hymns Old and New number 547)

PRIEST - FIRST PRAYER
Almighty God, fill our hearts with love and gratitude for the victory which you gave to your son, Jesus. Make us happy that Jesus is with us now - and is also with you in heaven. May we share with Jesus the joy he now shares with you and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

HYMN - Lord Have Mercy by S. Billington (American Eucharist) (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 41)

CHILD - FIRST READING
This reading describes how Jesus went up to heaven.

"Jesus visited his eleven friends. They were together in a room.
Jesus took them outside Bethany, to a high place. He blessed them all and then he told them what to do, "Go out into the world and tell the good news to everyone. Find new followers in every country - and teach them what I have taught you - and know that I will be with you always, to the end of time."
After this, he walked a few steps away and stood by himself - and standing there, was carried up to heaven.
His disciples watched, then, full of happiness and hope, they turned and took the road back to Jerusalem."
This is the word of the Lord ...

HYMN - Alleluia eight-fold (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 36)

PRIEST - GOSPEL (John)
(ONE CHILD FROM EACH CLASS WILL LIGHT A CANDLE FROM THE PASCHAL CANDLE AND STAND NEAR THE PRIEST.)

During the Last Supper, Jesus told the Apostles that he was going to leave them, but they would be together again one day. This was to prepare the Apostles for the day, six weeks later, when they would see Jesus ascend into heaven.

"Jesus said, "My children, I shall not be with you much longer."
Simon Peter asked, "Where are you going, Lord?"
Jesus answered, "You cannot follow me now, but later you will. Don't be upset. Trust God and trust me. My father's house has many rooms - and I am going to get a place ready for you. I shall return and take you with me, so that we can be together. And I will ask my Father to send you another helper, the Holy Spirit. He will help you understand everything about God."
This is the Gospel of the Lord ...

(CHILDREN BLOW OUT CANDLES.)

CHILDREN - PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
1. The response is... Hear our prayer.
We pray for priests who spread the good news around the world.
May they have good health and strength.
Lord, in your mercy...

2. We pray for parents and teachers who help to give the good news about Jesus to children. May they have patience and wisdom.
Lord, in your mercy...

3. We pray for the people here who have already heard the good news.
May they show by their behaviour that they follow God.
Lord, in your mercy...

4. We pray for people who do not yet know that God sent his son to save them. May we help to give them that good news.
Lord, in your mercy...

5. Let us pray that Mary will help us to spread the good news.
Hail Mary...

OFFERTORY
Children will bring up the bread, wine etc. plus two altar candles to be lit from the Paschal candle.
Priest could comment on this e.g. spreading candle light, like spreading the good news.

PRIEST - SECOND PRAYER
Lord, as we offer these gifts, we offer our hearts. May they belong to you for ever, just as Jesus belongs to you, and shares your life, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

HYMN - Holy, Holy, Holy by S. Billington (American Eucharist) (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 41)

PRIEST - EUCHARISTIC PRAYER FOR CHILDREN

HYMN - Lamb of God by S. Billington (American Eucharist) (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 41)

PRIEST - THIRD PRAYER
Father, though your son is with you in glory, he is also with us in this Communion. Help us to follow Jesus with love, so that one day we may be together in heaven, for ever and ever. Amen.

PRIEST - SOLEMN BLESSING
Bow your heads and pray for God's blessing.
May almighty God bless you on this day, when his only son ascended into heaven, to prepare a place for you.
May almighty God bless you, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

HYMN - This is the day (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 731)