New School Year Eucharist

LRP Team

13 Jan 2026

Categories

Primary

Download Resource

One School, One Family in Christ

WE GATHER

Preparation

Before Mass begins, allow time for the community to become calm and focused. Remind students of expected behaviour and respectful participation. Ensure students with roles in the Mass are well prepared and that teachers are aware of overall expectations before the entrance procession begins.

Welcome & Introduction

Reader :

(A child of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage)

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land … (insert name of local people), and pay our respects to the elders both past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture of this ancient land, Australia.

We honour the presence of these ancestors who reside in the imagination of this land and whose irrepressible spirituality flows through all creation.

(Pause)

Welcome to our start of the New School Year Mass.

Today is a very special day because we are beginning a new year of learning, growing, and making friends.

Some of us might feel excited. Some of us might feel a little nervous. Some of us might feel both!

The wonderful news is that we do not begin this year alone. God is with us. Jesus walks beside us every day: in the classroom, in the playground, and at home.

Today, we ask God to bless our new beginnings and help us walk together with kindness, courage, and love.

Gathering Song

Come to the Table (John Burland) (Move! Celebrate! Pray!, John Burland Music)

Penitential Act

Presider :

As we begin this new school year, we take a moment to say sorry to God for the times we have not loved others as well as we could.

(Pause)

Sometimes we forget to listen to God and to one another.
Lord, have mercy.

All :

Lord, have mercy.

Reader :

Sometimes we forget to include others or to be kind with our words. Christ, have mercy.

All :

Christ, have mercy.

Reader :

Sometimes we don’t listen or try our best. Lord, have mercy.

All :

Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Presider :

Loving God, thank you for bringing us together today at the beginning of a new school year. Thank you for new classrooms, new teachers, new friends, and new chances to learn and grow. Be with us in all that we do. Help us to be kind, to try our best, and to walk with Jesus each day. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All :

Amen.

WE LISTEN

Song

(optional song as we prepare ourselves to listen to the Word)

When We Listen  (Halloran & Millward)  (As One Voice for Kids collection, Willow Publishing)

 

First Reading

(adapted from Ecclesiastes 3: 1)

Reader :

The Bible reminds us that there is a time for everything.

A time to learn, a time to play, a time to make friends, and a time to rest.

God knows every moment in our lives, and God is with us in each new beginning.

This new school year is a gift from God, full of chances to grow and to love.

(Pause)

The Word of the Lord.

All :

Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Fourth Ordinary Time (A)  (Mary Kate Westrich) (Spirit & Psalm, Oregon Catholic Press)

Gospel Acclamation

Fourth Ordinary Time (A) (Steve Angrisano) (Spirit & Psalm, Oregon Catholic Press)

Gospel

(adapted from Matthew 5: 1 – 12)

Presider :

The Lord be with you.

All :

And with your spirit.

Presider :

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

All :

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus sat down and began to teach the people. This is what he said to them:
Happy are those who know they need God, because God is always close to them.
Happy are those who are gentle and kind, because they help make the world a better place.
Happy are those who are sad or hurting, because God will comfort them.
Happy are those who try to do what is right, because God will give them strength.
Happy are those who show mercy and forgiveness, because they will be shown mercy too.
Happy are those who have loving and honest hearts, because they will see God in their lives.
Happy are those who make peace, because they are truly God’s children.
Happy are you when you choose kindness and love, even when it is not easy,
because God is with you always.
The Gospel of the Lord.

All :

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Optional Short Version

Jesus said: Happy are those who are kind. Happy are those who help others. Happy are those who forgive.

Happy are those who try to do what is right. These are the people God loves.

Suggested Homily/Reflection

I want you to think for a moment about something new you are starting this year. Maybe it’s a new class, a new teacher, or even a new friend. Starting something new can feel exciting – and sometimes a little scary too.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us something very important. He tells us how to live in a way that makes us truly happy.

When Jesus says, “Happy are the kind,” he doesn’t mean happy like getting a new toy. He means happy in our hearts – the kind of happy that lasts.

Jesus tells us that when we are gentle and kind, when we forgive, when we help others, and when we try to do what is right, we are walking in God’s way.

And guess what? These are things you can do every day at school. You can live the Beatitudes:
• when you include someone who feels left out,
• when you forgive a friend instead of staying angry,
• when you help someone who is struggling,
• when you choose peace instead of arguing.

Jesus knows that these things are not always easy. Be he also promises something very special – that God is close to us when we try our best.

As we begin this new school year, Jesus is inviting us to walk his way. Not perfectly – just kindly. Not alone – but together.

So today, let us ask God to help us: to be kind, to be brave, to be peacemakers, and to remember that Jesus walks with us in the classroom, in the playground, and every day.

Prayer of the Faithful

Presider :

As we begin this new school year, let us pray to God, who loves us and walks with us as we begin this new school year.

Reader :

For Pope Leo and for the Church around the world: that God will guide them to lead with kindness, wisdom and love, and help the Church be a welcoming home for everyone. (pause) We pray …

All :

Jesus, walk with us.

Reader :

For our school: that it will be a happy and safe place where everyone feels welcome. (pause) We pray …

All :

Jesus, walk with us.

Reader :

For all students: especially those who feel nervous or shy, that they may feel brave and make new friends. (pause) We pray …

All :

Jesus, walk with us.

Reader :

For our teachers and support staff: that God will help them teach and work with patience, care, and joy. (pause) We pray …

All :

Jesus, walk with us.

Reader :

For our families: that our homes will be places of love, kindness, and support. (pause) We pray …

All :

Jesus, walk with us.

Reader :

For anyone who is feeling sad, lonely, or unwell: that they may feel God’s loving comfort and care. (pause) We pray …

All :

Jesus, walk with us.

Presider :

We celebrate our faith in you, O God, as we place our trust in you.

All :

Amen.

WE RESPOND

Preparation of the Gifts

We Bring These Gifts (John Burland) (Walking in Faith, John Burland Music)

Eucharistic Prayer

Mass of Echoing Praise (Andrew Chinn) (Mass of Echoing Praise, Butterfly Music)

Communion Songs

In the Breaking of the Bread (Timothy R. Smith) (Spirit & Song, Oregon Catholic Press)

 

Take and Bless, Break and Give (Andrew Chinn) (Wherever I Go, Butterfly Music)
Come Share This Meal (John Burland) (God Loves Me, John Burland Music)

Prayer after Communion

Presider :

Gracious God, nourished at the table of your love, we begin a new year with new hearts and new minds focused on being hope-filled people. May we think of ways to encourage and support others by living the Gospel message in what we do and what we say. We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord.

All :

Amen.

WE GO

Final Blessing & Dismissal

Presider :

As we begin our new school year, let us bow our heads and pray for God’s blessing. May our Creator God fill our hearts with hope and joy.

All :

Amen.

Presider :

May Jesus help us to be positive and encouraging to others.

All :

Amen.

Presider :

May the Holy Spirit guide us in our learning throughout the year.

All :

Amen.

Presider :

And may God bless you – the Father, and the Son, and Holy Spirit.

All :

Amen.

Presider :

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord and each other.

All :

Thanks be to God.

Sending Forth Song

Raise Your Voice (John Burland) (We Follow Jesus, John Burland Music)

 
Christ Is My Light (Andrew Chinn) (Let Your Light Shine, Butterfly Music)
Go Now In Peace (Monica Brown) (Praise & Blessings, Emmaus Productions)