Plan for 6th Class Graduation Service
This plan was produced to help teachers guide their students in
creating a liturgy for a 6th Class Graduation Service. Recognising
that every school and liturgy is unique, teachers may wish to amend
this plan. An important goal is that each of your students feels
involved in the planning and celebration of the service. The service
could be lead by a priest, teacher, parent or parish representative.
PREPARATION: Sacred Space
Set up a sacred space in the room where the service is to be celebrated. During the
Opening Procession the children can place symbolic gifts on this sacred space. With
your students, discuss and choose what symbols best represent them as a class. For
example students could bring a football to represent their love of sport.
INTRODUCTION/WELCOME:
Read by: _______________________
On behalf of 6th class, I would like to welcome you to the 2010 __________ School
Graduation Service. We extend a special welcome to our priest, principal, staff, parents,
family, and friends. Thank you for being here with us today to help us celebrate our
past and our future. We share many treasured memories of our experiences at
____________ School, and we are happy to share them with you today. We pray that
Christ will be the light that guides us on our journey into post-primary education.
Please stand now and join us in singing our Gathering Song, “Christ Be Our Light”.
GATHERING SONG: Christ Be Our Light (Alive-O 8, p.273)
ENTRANCE PROCESSION: Symbols to be brought forward at this time.
Symbol: ________________
Carried by: ________________
Symbol: ________________
Carried by: ________________
Symbol: ________________
Carried by: ________________
OPENING PRAYER
Leader:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit
All:
Amen
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Leader:
All:
God of life, we greet you with loving and thankful hearts. In your
goodness, you have come into our lives and invited us to walk in your
ways. We ask you to lead our 6th class students to know and love you even
more as they begin their post-primary education. We ask this through
Christ our Lord.
Amen
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Isaiah 60:19-22. Read by: __________________
Our First Reading comes from the book of a prophet called Isaiah. He tells us that the
Lord, our God, is the only light we will ever need to brighten our world.
You will no longer need the sun to light your days nor the moon to brighten your nights
because God himself will be your everlasting light. The Lord will be your glory always,
never to set like the sun nor wane like the moon. God will make you holy and give you
what your heart desires. For you are God’s garden, planted by his hand, blooming to
his glory. The least among you will become great; the smallest of you, mighty. The Lord
will do this for you with power and purpose. And may God bless you and keep you all
the days of your lives.
The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: “To Everything There is a Season”
Sung Response: Turn, Turn, Turn by Pete Seeger
Read by: _______________
The Book of Ecclesiastes stands as a reminder to believers that all things change, even
our understanding of God. Our Responsorial is an adaptation of Ecclesiastes, Chapter
3, verses 1 through 8. Please join us in singing the response.
“To everything turn, turn, turn. There is a season, turn, turn, turn.
And a time for every purpose under heaven”
Student to read verse 1: _______________
A time to be born; a time to die.
A time to plant; a time to harvest
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Student to read verse 2: _______________
A time to heal; a time to rebuild
A time to laugh; a time to cry
Student to read verse 3: _______________
A time for gathering stones; a time for scattering stones.
A time to hug; a time not to hug.
Student to read verse 4: _______________
A time to find; a time not to find.
A time for keeping; a time for throwing away.
Student to read verse 5: _______________
A time to be quiet; a time to speak up.
A time for loving; a time for peace.
GOSPEL
Matthew 5:14-16. Read by: __________________
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are like a light for the whole world. A city built on top
of a hill cannot be hidden, and no one would light a lamp and put in under a clay pot. A
lamp is placed on a lamp stand where it can give light to everyone in the house. Make
your light shine so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father
in heaven.”
LIGHTING OF CANDLES RITUAL
In this reading, Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world. Through the gifts given
to us at Baptism and confirmed in us at Confirmation, He invites us to share our light
with others.
I would now like to invite the 6th class children to come forward with their Baptismal
candles, and to light their candles from the class candle. They can then place their
candles in the sacred space. This symbolically represents their willingness to carry the
light of Jesus on into post-primary school, and into the world.
Suggested Song: Christ is my Light (Alive-O 5, p. 123)
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
Leader:
Loving God, we pray to you as we prepare to end our primary school
days and begin post-primary school. We trust that in your love you will
hear our prayers.
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Prayer 1. Read by: _______________
God of Wisdom, we pray for the Board of Management, principal and staff of
__________ School who have helped us to grow during these past eight years. We pray
especially for _______ (any retiring teachers or those who are leaving). We ask that you
bless them with happiness in their new endeavors. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord graciously hear us.
Prayer 2. Read by: _______________
God of Love, we pray for our parents, that they continue to guide and nurture us as we
grow. May they know how much we love and appreciate them. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord graciously hear us.
Prayer 3. Read by: _______________
God of Hope, we pray that we may have the courage to share our gifts with those who
need them. May we use our gifts to create a future of peace and justice for all.
Lord, hear us.
All: Lord graciously hear us.
Prayer 4. Read by: _______________
Healing God, we pray for the sick of our parish and for all our friends and relatives
who are ill. Help them to feel your healing presence. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord graciously hear us.
Prayer 5. Read by: _______________
God of Compassion, we pray for those in our families, in our school and in our parish
community who have died. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord graciously hear us.
Leader:
All:
God our Father, we know that you are always listening to our prayers. We
pray now in the words that Jesus gave us.
Our Father…
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STUDENTS’ PRAYER
(Optional. Students may also like to write their own prayer)
Gracious God, we thank you for your ever-loving presence in our lives and for the
guidance that you give us on every step on our journey. Please help us share our love,
talents, and faith with those we meet. May we make a real difference in this world you
have blessed us with. We pray, through Jesus Christ your Son, that as we let our lights
shine, we will answer your call to love and serve. Amen.
FINAL PRAYER
Invite the graduates to stand.
Leader:
6th Class of 2010, nurtured by the love of your parents, inspired by the
guidance of your teachers, and bound by the precious gifts of friendship,
you have already been blessed. As we stand proudly in the light of your
achievements, we pray that you may continue to grow in mind and heart,
in wisdom and compassion, in faith and gentleness. We ask this through
Christ our Lord.
All:
Amen
RECESSIONAL HYMN: Go Tell Everyone (Alive-O 7, p. 301)
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