"The Easter celebrations form the heart of our Christian living. We have journeyed in Holy Week through the darkness of betrayal and abandonment towards the light of forgiveness and new life in the Resurrection of Jesus. The Resurrection, the fulfilment of God's love for us, means that Jesus walks with all of us here and now, wherever we are in our life's journey. His Holy Spirit dwells within us.
As Easter people, we pray that the blessings, the joys, the wonders, the comforts and the challenges of this holy day will renew us in spirit and encourage us to be faithful witnesses and beacons of God's love and mercy each day".
+ Donal
Easter online broadcasts, films and activities
Listed below are many organisations and online channels that have Easter activities you can join with online, watch on TV and listen on radio, ranging from live broadcasts with Pope Francis, Easter Mass from your parish, downloadable films, Easter activities for children and prayers for use in your home.
An Easter Reflection from Bishop McKeown
"Alleluia, we are an Easter people." A message for Easter from Bishop Donal McKeown.
Click the play button on the video below to view.
Easter prayers and activities for children from the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre
The Catechetical Centre is responsible for catechesis in the Diocese of Derry. The centre provides faith formation and religious education support to Catholic schools, parishes and families.
For Easter, the centre has variety of resources for prayer, projects and activities the whole family can engage in at home including;
Easter liturgies on RTÉ
RTE broadcast a Mass or a Service at 11am every Sunday morning on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. You can listen here.
Most viewers in the Republic of Ireland can also receive Radio 1 Extra via their television sets on Saorview Channel 201 and Virgin channel 920/940. You can also listen back via the RTÉ Radio Player
Nearly all of the radio Worship programmes on the station are shared with RTÉ One television, so viewers throughout Ireland can also watch Mass and Services there or on the RTÉ Player. Start times vary slightly between 11.00am and 11.10am.
There is also Mass in Irish, every week at 11.00am, on Raidio na Gaeltachta (93-95 Mhz).
Easter liturgies on Radio Maria
- Saorview channel 210
- Online at RadioMaria.ie
- Radio Maria Ireland mobile app
- Radio Maria-Ireland Facebook page
- Listen back to Radio Maria podcasts
Easter on FORMED.org
FORMED provides the very best Catholic content from more than 60 organizations to help parishes, families and individuals explore their faith anywhere. Supporting thousands of movies, children's programs, ebooks, audio, parish programs and studies direct to your browser, mobile or connected device.
All 51 parishes in the Diocese of Derry have been introduced to FORMED and encouraged to avail of a discounted subscription, part funded by the diocese.
If your parish in the Diocese of Derry, has a parish subscription you only need to seach for your parish on FORMED and enter your email address to access everything.
If your parish is not listed, you can sign up for a free 7 day subscription. Why not do so for Easter? If you like it, make sure to tell you parish priest who can register your parish.
Films to watch on FORMED
Easter documentary Special on FORMED
Triduum: A Spiritual Pilgrimage
Easter online from our parishes in the diocese
Pope Francis' schedule of events for Easter 2021
The Holy Father will celebrate the Holy Week rites at the Altar of the Cathedra, in Saint Peter's Basilica.
Easter Sunday - Resurrection of the Lord
Holy Mass - at 10:00
Urbi et Orbi - at 12:00
At the end of Holy Mass, the Holy Father will impart the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.
Easter from Knock Shrine
Sunday, 4 April 2021
Easter Sunday Mass 12.00 Noon & 7.30pm (with Rosary at 7.00pm)
Easter prayers and activities for children from World Missions Ireland
Bringing Holy Week Home - Easter Sunday
This resource was created by the dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin, Clonfert and Elphin who have kindly shared them.
They include a note for each day with a Scripture focus, some things to look out for if you are joining in a live broadcast of a liturgy, a short prayer ritual for each day, as well as some 'to do' suggestions.
Live broadcasts of all Easter Liturgies will be from your parish church. The list of parishes in our diocese with live broadcasts can be viewed at here
Easter on Shalom World TV
Follow live broadcasts throughout Easter on Shalom World TV, the Catholic family entertainment channel.
Sunday, 4 April 2021 | Easter Sunday
LIVE from the Vatican:
Easter Sunday Mass
8:55AM
EWTN - From Rome to your Home
Eternal Word Television Network is a Catholic television station which broadcasts from across the world, including daily Mass.
During Holy Week you can watch all the main liturgical events from Rome with EWTN. View the broadcasting schedule for Easter at EWTN