CTK – Joy – Prayer Resources – W/C 15/12/2025
Hello everyone, and welcome back to CTKPray.
The prayer theme for this week is Joy.
Third week of Advent – Year A, Gaudete Sunday
Chaplaincy Notices
- Follow the star continues! Around school there will be a star for you to find, and it will change locations throughout the weeks. If you manage to find the star, come to the chapel to tell Beth or Vicky where it was, and your name will then be put in a draw to win a prize. The more you manage to find the star, the greater the chance of winning!
- Thank you for all of the food donations for the Arnold Food Bank – you were so generous.
- This Friday, we will be walking down to Good Shepherd Church as a school to take part in our Advent Liturgy.
Here are some ways to introduce this week’s theme of Joy...
Extra-Ordo-Nary flip book
Read the theme and talk about what this word means to you in your pairs.
As a form, reflect on what Joy means to you all.
Watch this video created by the chaplaincy team
Members of our Chaplaincy team have created a video on the significance of the Advent wreath and how it links to our theme of Joy…
Prayer
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the joy You brought into the world through the birth of Jesus.
Thank You for choosing to be God with us.Lord, there are times—especially in busy or difficult seasons—when living joyfully feels hard.
Please be near to us this week. Open our hearts to Your presence, and help us to notice and cherish the moments of joy You place around us.
Amen
Take a quiet moment now to reflect on the word Joy and what it means to you.
Below you will find this week’s Gospel reading from Sunday’s mass and another piece of scripture on our prayer theme.
If you would like to explore your own scriptures, the link below will take you to open bible which allows you to explore scripture on any theme. Please use the English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK) translation –
https://www.openbible.info/topics/joy
Choose somebody in your form to read one of the scriptures below – you may also want to read this from the bible in your form room.
Sunday Gospel Reading Matthew 3:1-12
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Glory to you O Lord
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,
“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
Prayer Theme Scripture Zephaniah 3:14-20
A reading from the prophet Zephaniah
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgements against you;
he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,
so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
Behold, at that time I will deal
with all your oppressors.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you together;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,” says the Lord.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
If your reading is from a Gospel, we invite you to say/ sing the Alleluia beforehand.
Let us take some time today to respond and reflect on our theme of Joy.
Please pick one of the below sections to help you to respond to this week’s theme. Let us know how your form gets on in the comments below.
Watch this video
Watch this video together and then answer the following questions as a form:
- Where do you find joy in your life?
Answer in the comment section at the bottom of this page
Advent Wreath
Design your own Advent Wreath:
This can be as simple as drawing a wreath on a piece of paper, or you can design and decorate one using any materials you have.
On your wreath, include the four Advent candles. You may also choose to write a prayer, a hope for the Advent season, or the name of someone you want to remember or pray for.
Once you have completed your individual wreath, it should be placed on your form’s prayer table throughout Advent as a reminder of hope, peace, joy and love.
Reflection
Pick one of the songs in the music tab to listen to.
As individuals or as a form, reflect on one or more of the following questions:
- What is the difference between feeling happy and experiencing real joy?
- Who or what brings you joy in your life?
- Where do you see God inviting you to experience deeper joy this Advent?
In the comment section below…
Answer one of these questions together as a form.
The lighting of the third Advent candle calls us to focus on Joy.
C – Care
Show Care by choosing to bring joy into someone else’s day. Offer a smile, a helping hand, or a compliment. Even a small act of kindness can brighten someone’s spirit and remind them that they are valued.
A – Achieve
Achieve joy by recognising the good in your day. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, pause and notice what went right—big or small.
R – Respect
Show Respect by celebrating the successes and gifts of others. Instead of comparing yourself to classmates or friends, choose to encourage them. Joy grows when we lift others up rather than compete or criticise.
E – Encounter
Encounter God by inviting Him into your moments of joy. Set aside a few minutes for quiet prayer, thanking God for the blessings you’ve received and asking Him to help you share joy with those around you. Let this time remind you that true joy comes from His love.
You might want to create your own prayer on the theme of Joy that you have been reflecting on throughout the week, or you could use the prayer below.
In the times I am feeling the weight of the Cross, Jesus come be my joy.
In times of confusion, Jesus come be my joy.
When I am afraid, Jesus come be my joy.
In the times I feel overwhelmed, Jesus come be my joy.
In the times when I feel Your peace, Jesus come be my joy.
In times of friendship and community, Jesus come be my joy.
In times of misunderstanding and hurt, Jesus come be my joy.
When I am jealous, Jesus come be my joy.
When I am angry, Jesus come be my joy.
When I want to give up, Jesus come be my joy.
When I am fighting temptation, Jesus come be my joy.
In times of planning and work, Jesus come be my joy.
In times when I am tired, Jesus come be my joy.
In times of doubt, Jesus come be my joy.
When I cannot see the future ahead of me, Jesus come be my joy.
At all times, seasons, and moments in my life, Jesus come be my joy.
Amen.Written by Colette Dills (taken from Litany of Joy)
Here are some song suggestions that you could use this week
This week in school, our theme is Joy.
This Sunday is Gaudete Sunday and it means ‘Rejoice’. Joy is more than just happiness; it’s a deep and lasting feeling that comes from knowing God and living in his love. It helps us to see the good in everything, even when things are tough. Joy is found in prayer, in serving others, and in our journey through Advent. It’s a choice to trust in God’s plan for our lives and to find hope in his promises.
Reminder that your child can bring home their form Advent Pack for a night for you to explore and share together…
Conversation Starters
Use these questions to start a chat together:
- Where have you felt real joy this week—not just happiness, but a deep sense of peace or goodness? What was happening, and why do you think it felt different from ordinary happiness?
- How can we help bring joy to someone else this week? What small act of kindness, service, or encouragement could we choose as a family?
- When life gets difficult, what helps you hold onto joy or remember God’s love? Are there prayers, traditions, or memories that remind you of this?
Prayer
In the times I am feeling the weight of the Cross, Jesus come be my joy.
In times of confusion, Jesus come be my joy.
When I am afraid, Jesus come be my joy.
In the times I feel overwhelmed, Jesus come be my joy.
In the times when I feel Your peace, Jesus come be my joy.
In times of friendship and community, Jesus come be my joy.
In times of misunderstanding and hurt, Jesus come be my joy.
When I am jealous, Jesus come be my joy.
When I am angry, Jesus come be my joy.
When I want to give up, Jesus come be my joy.
When I am fighting temptation, Jesus come be my joy.
In times of planning and work, Jesus come be my joy.
In times when I am tired, Jesus come be my joy.
In times of doubt, Jesus come be my joy.
When I cannot see the future ahead of me, Jesus come be my joy.
At all times, seasons, and moments in my life, Jesus come be my joy.
Amen.
Written by Colette Dills (taken from Litany of Joy)
Mission
Together, choose something to do:
- Spread Joy Through Service – choose one act of kindness to do together—visit someone who may be lonely, bake treats for a neighbour, make cards for a nursing home, or donate to a local charity.
- Create a “Joy Jar” – each family member writes down one thing that brought them joy this week and places it in a jar. Then read them together at the end of the week.
- A Family Prayer of Joy – set aside 5–10 minutes for a simple prayer time. Light a candle, thank God for the joys of the week and ask Him to help you bring joy to others
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