Preparation:

Prepare the table, with a candle, and a bible page

Place a candle there, matches, ready for lighting

Put a nice bowl in the middle, and fill it brimming with sweets (nut free varieties).

Place a hand puppet on the table

Entrance

Sing:

Good morning to you,

Good morning to you,

hello, hello,

Good morning to you.

Start

Ask the children to sit on the floor, and ask adults to do so too.

Ask the children and the adults to create some space for everyone

Ask everyone to settle down, and to hold their hands together in front of them in prayer, and to be quiet.

When it’s quiet, say

Let’s do the sign of the cross together,

From my head to my heart,

From my shoulder to my shoulder,

I belong to you, Lord, Jesus

Gospel

We are going to hear a story that Jesus told a story about a woman who went to ask for help.

Can anyone tell me who do you go when you want to ask for help?

Do you go to your mummy? Or do you go to your daddy? What if you want some sweets? Who do you go to then? Would you go to Jesus to ask for help? When you pray, you are asking Jesus to be with you, and to help you.

Do the people you ask always help you right away? If you wanted to play, do sometimes say you have to wait? What about if you want sweets? Do they sometimes say you have to wait for your diner first?

When they say, “later”, is it fair? Why do you think that is?

Well, Jesus told a story about asking for help from someone really powerful, like God. He told a story with a woman, and a judge.

Interruption from the hand puppet: Shall we sing alleluia?

Oh yes, we welcome Jesus’ story with singing alleluia. It means praise to God. So let’s sing it together.

Good News, Good News

Hear the Word of God

Alleluia, Alleluia

Hear the Word of God

Now, in the story Jesus told, there was a lady who needed some help. She went to a judge – a judge is a person who decides on what is right or wrong for us – and …

Interruption by the hand puppet: Can I have a sweet?

Not now, I’m telling a story. Please be quiet

So back to the story. The lady needed help, and she went to the Judge. She said, “Please, you must help me”. But the judge refused to help her. He told her, “Go away.” So she went back home.

Interruption by the hand puppet: I really, really want a sweet!

“Want doesn’t get. Besides, we’re at church with our special time for Jesus, so please sit quietly and listen to the story.”

The next morning, when the lady woke up, she thought about what she needed, and decided that only the judge could help her. So she went again. “Please, I know you are very busy, but you are the only who can help me.” She said. “It is very important.”

The judge wasn’t having it. “Go away, I told you yesterday, and I tell you again. No.” And the judged refused to help her again.

The whole day went by, and she wasn’t very happy. She really felt she needed his help, but he didn’t seem to think it was important. Maybe he was right. So she decided to be patient, and see how things were the next day…

Interruption again: Really, please. If I am very nice and very quiet, can I have a sweet?

No – now is not the time for sweets. But it would be good if you are very nice and very quiet so we can all listen to the story. Will you be good and be quiet for me?

The next day, when she woke up, she went to the judge again. This time, the judged said, “Ah yes, you have come again. Okay, I’ll help you. Leave it with me, and don’t worry.” With that, she was happy, and she left.

So that was the story that Jesus told.

Interruption by the hand puppet: I have been quiet, and you have finished the story. Can I have a sweet now?

No, be a bit more patient, and help me to see if the children understood the story.

Okay.

(to the children)

Did you understand the story?... Hands up anyone else who understood.

Why did the lady go to the judge?... Yes, to ask him for help.

What did she say to him? Yes, she was very polite, she said “Please, can you help me”.

And who remembers what happened?... Did the judge help her right away? … No, he didn’t.

And when she heard him say no, what did she do?... She went away.  

And was that the end?... No, she went again the next day, and then again the day after.

In the end, what did the judge do? … yes, he helped her.

It must have been so hard for the lady to have to wait that long. Sometimes we have to wait a long time too before we can get what we want. Can you think of what you can do to help you wait? Yes, you can talk to God. Who knows how to talk to God?

Well, I know a song about talking to God, let me teach you it.

 (Tune: If you’re happy and you know it)

If you’re feeling kinda sad, talk to God.

If you’re feeling kinda sad, talk to God.

When you shed a great big tear,

He’s always there to hear,

If you’re feeling kinda of sad, talk to God.

If you’re feeling kinda sad, talk to God.

If you’re feeling kinda sad, talk to God.

When no one seems to care,

Talk to Jesus, he is there,

If you’re feeling kinda sad, talk to God.

Interruptions: Please now, may I have a sweet?

Okay, I’ll leave the sweets here for us after the Mass. So if you come down afterwards, and if you ask your mum and dad, you can have one. But now, can you put your hands together, be quiet for a little bit, and say a prayer with me?

Dear Jesus

Thank you for your story. Please help us to trust in you and be patient when we can’t have what we want.

Amen