Jesus Is Always with Us – May 17, 2026

Foundation of Christian Mission

Q: What were Jesus’ final instructions to his disciples before ascending to heaven? A: Jesus commanded his disciples to go to all nations, make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything he commanded, establishing the foundation for the sacrament of baptism and the Church’s ongoing mission.

Q: How did Jesus promise to support his disciples after leaving them? A: Jesus promised to be with his disciples always, even until the end of the world, and sent the Holy Spirit to help them after his ascension, transforming what was a shocking and sad moment into a supported mission.

Living the Gospel

Q: What is the most effective way to demonstrate being a follower of Jesus? A: The best way to show discipleship is through actions—being kind, honest, friendly, fair, and helpful—following St. Francis’s teaching to “Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words” rather than just verbal proclamation.

Q: What core message were the disciples instructed to spread? A: The disciples were commanded to go into the whole world and proclaim the good news of God’s love to every creature, passing the faith down through generations as more people gathered to follow Jesus’ teachings.

Church Sacraments

Q: How do Jesus’ final instructions connect to Catholic sacramental practice? A: Jesus’ specific commands to baptize and teach form the direct foundation for the sacrament of baptism, which brings people into the faith and establishes the Church’s continuing educational mission.

Q: What liturgical celebration does this teaching commemorate? A: This Gospel is celebrated on the seventh Sunday of the Easter season, specifically the Ascension of Jesus (May 17, 2026), marking when Jesus ascended straight into Heaven after giving his final instructions.

05-24-2020 / Children’s Liturgy of the Word / Ascension of the Lord

Mission and Discipleship

Q: What specific instructions did Jesus give his apostles before ascending to heaven? A: Jesus commanded his apostles to go to all nations, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them everything he commanded, promising to be with them always, even to the end of the age.

Q: What transformed the apostles from amazed witnesses to courageous proclaimers? A: The apostles were amazed by Jesus’ death and resurrection, but courage to proclaim him came when the Holy Spirit filled them, enabling them to witness everywhere.

Suffering and Perseverance

Q: What hardships did the apostles endure while spreading Jesus’ message? A: The apostles faced being made fun of, forced to leave, and jailed, yet they accepted their sufferings and continued so more people could know Jesus, following in his footsteps.

The Ascension Event

Q: How did Jesus’ ascension occur according to Acts of the Apostles? A: After Jesus said the Holy Spirit would give the apostles power, he was taken up into a cloud while they watched, and two men in white said he would return the same way.

Call to Modern Disciples

Q: What does Jesus call his disciples to do in the world today? A: Jesus calls disciples to love the Father, turn away from sin, and go into the world to tell the good news, following Jesus’ example of forgiving, healing, and teaching.

Worship and Praise

Q: How is God’s heavenly throne described in relation to worship? A: The throne is a special chair for a king, and God sits on his throne in heaven while people shout and sing joyfully, inviting us to praise and thank God for all he does.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY PROGRAM 21ST MAY 2023

Mission and Commission

Q: What specific commission did Jesus give before his Ascension? A: Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe his commands, with the promise of his presence until the end of the age.

Holy Childhood Organization

Q: What is the historical origin and purpose of Holy Childhood? A: Bishop Charles de Forbin founded Holy Childhood 180 years ago to enable children worldwide to become missionaries through the motto “children helping children”, sharing the good news of Jesus across nations.

Missionary Childhood Objectives

Q: What are the core objectives of Missionary Childhood? A: The organization aims to awaken a universal missionary attitude in children, encouraging them to share their faith, love, and resources with disadvantaged children worldwide.

Children’s Missionary Actions

Q: How do children practically participate in missionary work? A: Children evangelize by sharing the good news, praying for suffering children, and helping those in need through loving, caring, sharing, and making financial contributions to the Missionary Childhood Fund.

Characteristics of Missionary Children

Q: What defines a missionary child according to the program? A: Missionary children know, love, and talk about Jesus, pray daily for their brothers and sisters, want them to know Mary, and are generous, happy in service, and attentive to others’ needs.

Theological Significance of Ascension

Q: What does Ascension Sunday signify for believers? A: Ascension Sunday celebrates Jesus’ return to the Father, demonstrating that all have a place in God’s heart and heaven, inspiring reflection on God’s universal love.

Little Liturgies: May 17th, 2026 — Ascension of the Lord

Leadership and Discipleship

Q: How did Jesus commission his disciples to continue his work? A: Jesus commissioned the disciples to be leaders, teachers, and proclaimers, doing everything in his name while integrating knowledge and experience to apply his message to new encounters.

Q: What is the ultimate goal of parenting and community leadership according to the ascension model? A: The goal of being a parent, guardian, or community leader is to teach all you know, then step back graciously and let the person under your care become the new leader to do great things.

Navigating Doubt and Confidence

Q: What does the ascension teach about handling doubt during transitions? A: The ascension scene highlights that doubt is normal but emphasizes expressing confidence in what you’ve learned, as Jesus the teacher has confidence in you even when you have doubts.

Q: What guidance does the gospel reading offer for academic year endings? A: The gospel reading offers guidance on saying goodbye with confidence in what you’ve learned, even if you have doubts, knowing Jesus has confidence in you as students transition.

Gratitude and Reflection

Q: What should we remember when approaching farewell moments? A: Approach farewell moments by thinking of all the amazing things Jesus did for the disciples, like giving them the gift of everlasting life, and express gratitude for all the people who have helped you.

Q: Why is the ascension scene significant for our daily lives? A: The ascension scene will repeat in our lives again and again, offering a guiding light on how to say goodbye while inviting reflection on three big relationships: with God, with one another, and with ourselves.

The Ascension // Little Liturgies from The Mark 10 Mission

The Promise of Divine Presence

Q: How does Jesus fulfill his promise “I will always be with you” after ascending to heaven? A: Jesus sends the Holy Spirit as a helper who is always near, described as the strongest, most powerful and loving friend one can have, making his presence continuous even after the Ascension.

Sacred Symbols and Their Meanings

Q: What does the Pascal candle burning during Easter season represent? A: The Pascal candle on the prayer table symbolizes that Jesus is the light of the world, signifying he is alive and with us now throughout the Easter season.

Q: What do the icon and hiking boots in the Mark 10 bag symbolize? A: These items represent the journey of faith and the call to follow Jesus’ command to “go and make followers of all people in the world”, emphasizing active discipleship.

Understanding the Holy Spirit

Q: How is the Holy Spirit’s presence explained despite being invisible? A: The Holy Spirit, described as the love of God moving in the world, is invisible like the wind but real and present, compared to a grandfather’s constant presence while teaching bike riding.

Living Out Faith

Q: What is the purpose of the action song “This Little Light of Mine” in the liturgy? A: The song encourages children to let their light shine and share the love of Jesus with others, translating faith into visible action.

The Easter Season Message

Q: What dual celebration does the Easter season encompass according to the liturgy? A: The Easter season celebrates both the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, emphasizing his promise to remain present through the Holy Spirit while calling believers to share his love.

Children’s Message (5-17-26)

Passing on Jesus’s Message

Q: What happens if we fail to pass on Jesus’s message?

A: When we don’t do our part in passing on Jesus’s message, some people may never know that they matter, are loved, and how to be kind, leaving them without understanding their inherent worth.

Individual Responsibility

Q: What does Jesus count on each person to do?

A: Jesus counts on each of us to show that every person matters by actively demonstrating his core message of living, loving, being happy, being kind, and taking care of each other through our daily actions.

Collective Impact

Q: What is the ultimate outcome when everyone participates in sharing Jesus’s message?

A: When each of us does our part in passing on Jesus’s message through generations, God’s dream will happen, creating a world where love and kindness perpetuate continuously.