(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
1/30/22 - People Reject Jesus - Cycle C
Dear Families,
This Sunday’s Gospel is a continuation of last week’s Gospel. Jesus fulfills the words of the prophet Isaiah as he announced in last week’s Gospel. In this Sunday’s Gospel, people begin to recall that he is the son of Joseph the carpenter. Jesus confronts them about what they are thinking. He said they wouldn’t appreciate a prophet from their own town. They get angry when Jesus reminds them that sometimes people of other countries believed more in Israel’s prophets than their own people. He gives them the examples of Elijah and the widow of Sidon and Elisha and General Naaman who were not Israelites but believed in the prophets. The crowd did not want to hear the truth, they became so angry that they rejected him and forced him to leave town.
Jesus words were challenging to the people of his hometown Nazareth. He wanted them to respond to him differently from the way others had responded to the prophets. But they wouldn’t let his words change them or see a different perspective. At times we can be like the people of Nazareth, we don’t trust Jesus’ message because we find his words to us challenging. We need to trust his words to us and rely on his guidance in our lives.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What is love? How difficult is it to listen to those who love you, especially if they are trying to inform or correct you?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to be humble enough to listen when we are corrected by people who care about us. Help us to remember that they are looking out for our good. Amen
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Read more: People Reject Jesus Cycle C / La Gente Rechaza a Jesús Ciclo C
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Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is walking with his disciples through Galilee. Jesus tells his disciples that there will be conflict. He explains that he will suffer, die and rise. The disciples don’t want to think about what he is saying, they are afraid to ask questions. Instead, they argue about which one of them is the greatest. Jesus knew what they were talking about, so he tells them that if they want to be first, they must be humble and serve others.
Arguments as the disciples had in this Sunday’s Gospel are common in family life. Ever had this argument? I want to be first. I did the dishes yesterday; someone else should do it today. Why did she/he get chosen and I did not? All of us need to be reminded that to be great in God’s Kingdom is to be the servant of all.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
How do you serve others?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us to see you when we see people in need.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
7/31/22 - Rich In What Matters To God - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, when a man asks Jesus to tell his brother to share his inheritance with him, he knows that the brother is more concerned with possessions than with the love of his brother. He is being greedy; Jesus tells the parable of the rich man. There was a rich man that had such a good harvest, that he didn’t have enough space in his barns to store it all. So, he thought, I will build bigger ones and store my harvest for many years. Thinking, he could enjoy his possessions for many years; he died that night. What good were his possessions to him now?
This parable warns us against being greedy. Jesus is not saying we should not have food or save money. He is teaching us to use the things we have wisely by looking at our needs and not our wants. To understand that there are people in the world that have needs of food, clothing and shelter. He is telling us that it is more important to be loving and share what we have than to pursue having a lot of things. When a person dies, they do not take their belongings with them, but their acts of love and generosity will be remembered. We need to be rich in what matters to God.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do your feelings show that you care too much about getting things? Do you share what you have with others?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us thank you for the material blessings you give us and to share them with others. Amen
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Read more: "Rich In What Matters To God" Cycle C / "Rico De Lo Que Vale Ante Dios" Ciclo C
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2/13/22 - Jesus teaches the Beatitudes - Cycle C
Dear Families,
Jesus tells us, blessed are the poor, hungry, sad, and excluded, but woe to those who are rich, fed, laugh, and are famous. This Sunday’s Gospel turns people’s ideas about being happy upside down, it disrupts our ideas of success. We may think that being rich and full are signs of happiness and success, but they are not. Happiness comes from sharing what we have, comforting people who are sad and laughing with people not at them.
Jesus gives us a list of attitudes and actions that help people find real happiness, called the Beatitudes. He teaches us we are all God’s children, called to belong to God’s family and to care for each other. We are called to welcome and care for the poor, share what we have with them, and comfort people who are sad. These actions that bring people together are important in God’s kingdom.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What is Idolatry? How is the way Jesus teaches us to live different from the way the world often tells us to live?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us to desire things that are holy and good. Help us to resist valuing things only because our culture tells us they are important. Amen
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Read more: Jesus Teaches the Beatitudes Cycle C / Jesús Enseña las Bienaventuranzas Ciclo C
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2/6/22 - Jesus Calls His Followers - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to the crowd from Simon’s boat. After speaking, Jesus asks Simon who had been fishing all night to cast out his nets again. Simon questions him but does as he is instructed, and to his surprise catches many fish! So many fish that other boats were signaled to come and help because their nets were tearing.
When Simon saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and says “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men” and from that day forward the fishermen Simon, James, and John leave their fishing boats and follow Jesus.
Jesus calls us to follow him too. One way that we follow Jesus is by telling others about him. Jesus speaks the same message to us today to be fishers of men for his Kingdom. God wants others to see the light of Christ in us in the way we live, speak, and witness the joy of the gospel.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Like Simon (who would be called Peter), do you have feelings of unworthiness that make you afraid to approach God? What do you do with that fear?
Family Prayer: Jesus, you remind us that we shouldn’t be afraid and that you have a mission for us too. Help us to be open to sharing our faith with others. Amen
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Read more: Jesus Calls His Followers Cycle C / Jesús Llama a Sus Seguidores Ciclo C
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7/3/22 - The Cross and a New Creation - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s second reading Saint Paul writes to the Galatians and tells them that he may never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Christians of Galatia were confused because some preachers were telling them that to be Christians they first had to convert to Judaism and follow the entire Jewish law. St. Paul speaks of the cross and a new creation. What does he mean? Watch video and find out.
In the Gospel, Jesus sends 72 disciples to tell the people in the towns that He is coming. He says to them that the harvest is abundant but laborers are few. We the followers of Jesus need to be laborers in the fields, sowing the words of God to bring people back to God. The more laborers there are, the more plentiful the harvest.
As a family watch video in its entirety then ask each other these questions?
What does Paul mean when he speaks about a new creation? Are you a laborer of the harvest? What do you need to do to become a laborer in the harvest?
Family Prayer: Lord, by your cross and resurrection we are a new creation, help us be laborers for your kingdom. Help us bring your peace and mercy to the world. Amen
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Read more: The Cross and a New Creation Cycle C / La Cruz y una Nueva Creatura Ciclo C
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am”, and Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus then tells his disciples something they may not have wanted to hear. That he was going to suffer and die. Peter objects to what Jesus has said. Jesus tells Peter you don’t understand you are not thinking as God does, but as human beings do. Like Peter we too may not understand. We also may have ideas about what we think God should be doing in our world. We risk limiting God’s plan by thinking only in human ways. God’s plans are always more than we can ever imagine. Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and is Risen!
As followers of Jesus, we need to take up our cross and follow him. Jesus gave everything for us, and he wants us to love him and trust him with our whole hearts. Jesus wants us to offer our lives in service to others. As James tells us in today’s Second Reading, we can’t just say we have faith. We need to show our faith by works of love.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
What does Jesus mean when he says we must take up our cross and follow him?
Family Prayer: Jesus, teach us to believe in you and trust in you completely, even when it seems difficult. Amen
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
4/10/22 - Palm/Passion Sunday - Cycle C
Dear Families,
This Sunday is the beginning of the holiest week in the Church year. On Palm Sunday we proclaim two Gospels according to Luke. We have a procession at the beginning of Mass when the first Gospel is proclaimed and Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and people waved palms to honor him. Join in, wave your palm branch high. In the second Gospel when we proclaim the Passion and Death of Jesus, join in the responses of the Passion.
Celebrate the days of Holy Week, it expresses Jesus’ love for us. Participate at the different services on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How do people welcome Jesus to Jerusalem? How does Jesus’ Crucifixion express who he is? What memories of Holy Week stand out for you?
Family Prayer: Lord, you suffered so much for us. Help us to be strong when we suffer and to unite our sufferings to yours. Amen
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Read more: Palm/Passion Sunday Cycle C - Domingo de Ramos/La Pasión Ciclo C
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4/17/22 - Jesus is Alive! - Cycle C
Dear Families,
Alleluia, Christ is Risen! It’s Easter Sunday and we rejoice that Jesus has come back to life. We rejoice because we have received the gift of salvation through his Death and Resurrection. Jesus loves us so much that he died on the cross to take away our sins. He came back to life again so that we could have eternal life and be with him forever. Let’s experience his gift of joy, hope, and peace always.
“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24)
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How would I feel if I discovered the tomb was empty? What would I do?
Family Prayer: Jesus, thank you for coming to be our Savior. We praise your goodness and joyfully sing Alleluia at the news of your Resurrection. Amen
Happy Easter!
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Read more: Jesus is Alive! Cycle C / ¡Jesús está Vivo! Ciclo C
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4/24/22 - Divine Mercy Sunday - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus appears to his disciples who are afraid and behind locked doors. Jesus greets them with the words “Peace be with you.” Then he breathes on them, imparting the Holy Spirit, and tells them that whose sins they forgive are forgiven. Jesus words to his disciples highlight the Sacrament of Reconciliation and they are empowered to forgive sins in Jesus’ name. Thomas is not present at this appearance of Jesus and does not believe the other disciples unless he sees for himself. Jesus returns, shows Thomas his wounds and Thomas believes.
Today the Second Sunday of Easter is also Divine Mercy Sunday. Mercy means being treated well even though we do not deserve it. When we sin, we may be afraid that God does not forgive us. However, we need to remember to believe that God is merciful and loves us no matter how bad our sins. When we are sorry for our sins God forgives us. Forgiveness and reconciliation are our gifts to us from Jesus.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can we share God’s peace and forgiveness with one another?
Family Prayer: “Jesus, I trust in you!” Thank you for your peace and mercy. Lord, open our hearts and eyes to see the need of peace in each other. Help us share your gift of peace and prayerfully greet each other by saying “May the peace of the Lord be with you.” Amen
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Read more: Divine Mercy Sunday Cycle C / Domingo de la Divina Misericordia Ciclo C
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5/1/22 - Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples - Cycle C
Dear Families,
This Sunday’s Gospel tells us about the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples and shares a meal with them after his Resurrection. Jesus disciples had been fishing all night but caught nothing. In the morning they see a man who tells them to lower their nets again. They catch many fish! John recognizes him, “It is the Lord,” he told Peter. Hearing this, Peter jumped into the water and swam to meet Jesus on the shore. Jesus makes them breakfast and eats with them.
Jesus fed his disciples, and he continues to feeds us. The Risen Christ feeds us with his Body and Blood at every Mass. Jesus is present with us at every Eucharist, in every word of the Gospel, and whenever we join together in prayer. Jesus surprises us as he surprised his disciples out fishing. We find him with us when we don’t expect him or when we have little hope.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How do you recognize Jesus in the Mass? In other people? In some other way?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us recognize your presence in our lives today. Help us recognize and pray for the physical and emotional needs of others. Feed us all when we need nourishment and encouragement. Amen
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Read more: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples Cycle C / Jesús se Aparece a Siete Discípulos Ciclo C
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8/7/22 - Vigilant Servants - Cycle C
Dear Families,
Last week we heard about the foolish greedy rich man who never enjoyed his wealth. We learned we are to share our wealth with others.
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus continues teaching and gives us many parables. He tells us not be afraid, sell all your belongings and give to the poor. Your Father will take care of you. For where your treasure is your hearts will be. Light your lamps, open the door, be vigilant you do not know when the Son of Man will return.
When Peters asks if this parable was meant for everyone, Jesus answered him with a question. Would a prudent master put in charge servants who knew their master’s will, but did not prepare because they were ignorant or distracted because of their bad behavior? In other words, Jesus’ message is, much is expected from us and we need to share our gifts. We need to be vigilant servants waiting for our master’s return.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Are you vigilant, prepared for Jesus’ return? Are you ignorant or distracted when it comes to your faith?
Family Prayer: Jesus, we don’t know when you will come again. Help us remember that we should always be ready. Amen
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Read more: Vigilant Servants Cycle C / Sirvientes Vigilantes Ciclo C
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7/24/22 - The Our Father - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel, when the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, the Lord taught them the “Our Father”. It is the prayer we pray in many languages at each mass throughout the world.
At mass before we pray the Lord’s Prayer the priest says “At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching we dare to say”: and we pray the Our Father. As a community we give glory to God by praising Him, we ask for our daily body and spiritual needs, and we ask for forgiveness of our sins, to forgive others, and to keep us away from temptation and evil. The Lord’s prayer is truly a challenge to live by every day, no wonder the priest says “we dare to say”.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Which line in the Lord’s Prayer is a challenge for you?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us pray the Our Father and sincerely think what each line means. Amen
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Read more: The Our Father Cycle C / El Padre Nuestro Ciclo C
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
7/17/22 - Martha and Mary - Cycle C
Dear Families,
Sunday’s Gospel seems unfair to Martha. She is trying to welcome Jesus. She is cooking and cleaning for him, and her sister is not helping. Martha was upset and complained to Jesus. Jesus told Martha that what Mary had chosen was important. Mary had chosen to listen to him. Martha was overwhelmed and not paying attention or listening to him.
Jesus knows that we need to work, but he does not want us to be overwhelmed with work and activities. He wants us to understand that it is more important to spend time with him and listen to him. We must always make sure that going to Mass and praying are more important than work or any activities that do not put God first in our lives. Throughout the day whenever you do something pray first and do it for the glory of God.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Who do you identify with more Martha or Mary? Perhaps both? Why? How?
Family Prayer: Dear Lord, always help us put you first in all that we do. Amen
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
7/10/22 - The Good Samaritan - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus teaches us to love God and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Our neighbors aren’t just people who live next door or our families and best friends. We are to love even those who are difficult to love. Given the animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan when he is asked “Who is my neighbor?”
Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan to challenge us to think about how we label people. We are called to love all people even those we find difficult to understand and love.
As a family watch video in its entirety then ask each other these questions.
Who has been a Good Samaritan in your life? How have I been a Good Samaritan in someone’s life?
Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, some people are very difficult for us to like. Helps us to see others with your eyes and love them. Amen
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Read more: The Good Samaritan Cycle C / El Buen Samaritano Ciclo C
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
6/26/22 - Following Jesus - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a message: “Follow me.” We can do this by putting Jesus first in all we do. We love our families. We are grateful for our homes. Those things are gifts, and God is the gift-giver. We should love the giver more than the gifts.
As a family watch video in its entirety then ask each other these questions.
What did Jesus say to the three people who wanted to follow Him? When we have a choice to make will we put Jesus first?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us to remember that every good thing comes from you. Amen
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Read more: Following Jesus Cycle C / Siguiendo a Jesús Ciclo C
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
6/12/22 - Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity - Cycle C
Dear Families,
This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Blessed Trinity. Jesus taught us that there were three Persons in one God when He spoke about The Father, Himself, and the Holy Spirit. Each time we make the Sign of the Cross we are praying to the Blessed Trinity.
In John’s Gospel Jesus tells his disciples that he has much to teach them but that it is too much for them to learn at the time. He promises them that the Spirit of truth will guide them. God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit will always be with them. Like the disciples we have much to learn. Jesus teaches us about God the Father but we need the Holy Spirit to guide us with his truth and love.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Where do we hear the Spirit of Truth today?
Family Prayer: Lord send your Holy Spirit to us, and help us to know and love you more. Amen
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Read more: Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Cycle C / Solemnidad de la Santísima Trinidad Ciclo C
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
5/8/22 - Jesus Is Our Good Shepherd - Cycle C
Dear Families,
Sunday’s Gospel helps us recognize that we are part of God’s family. Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice.” We are his sheep. He also tells us that he and the Father are one. We know God the Father because we know Jesus. Likewise, when others meet us, they should see Jesus in us.
As a family watch video in its entirety then ask each other this question.
How can you show Jesus to others through your words and actions?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to be like you. So that when others meet us, they see you in us. Amen
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Read more: Jesus Is Our Good Shepherd Cycle C / Jesus Es Nuestro Buen Pastor Ciclo C
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
6/5/22 - Pentecost Sunday - Cycle C
Dear Families,
This Sunday is the feast of Pentecost and we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles ten days after his Ascension into heaven. In the first reading in the Acts of the Apostles the Holy Spirit came to Mary and the Apostles in the form of wind and tongues of fire. The apostles immediately went out and began to preach and teach people about Jesus. In the Gospel of John, we read again, how Jesus greeted his disciples with the words of peace. He breathes on them the gifts of the Holy Spirit to help them spread his message of peace and forgiveness.
Let us celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit by remembering that this same Holy Spirit is with us today. He helps us do what is right so that we may go out to share the words of Jesus and spread the message of God’s love and forgiveness.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How are you sharing the love of the Holy Spirit with others?
Family Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your love so that we can bring your peace and forgiveness to one another. Amen
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Read more: Pentecost Sunday Cycle C / Domingo de Pentecostés Ciclo C
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5/29/22 - (What is the Ascension?) 7th Sunday of Easter - Cycle C
Dear Families,
Thursday, May 26th was the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, and the video for this week will reflect on the readings of that day. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus took his disciples up to a hill and they saw him disappear into a cloud. Where did He go? What did he say? What did he promise? Watch the video and find out.
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus prays not only for his disciples but also for us. He prays that we will place our belief in him. That through his disciples we will experience unity with him and one another. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised the disciples he would send an advocate “The Holy Spirit”. They remain in Jerusalem and while they were waiting, they praised God.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions.
Who has taught you about Jesus? Who have you taught about Jesus?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us share God’s word as you taught us. Amen.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
5/22/22 - Jesus Promises to Send the Holy Spirit - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus promises his disciples that he will send the Holy Spirit after he was gone. They would never be alone; the Holy Spirit would teach them. God the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, would come to them and guide them in what they needed to do to continue his teachings.
Jesus’ promise is still with us today. The Holy Spirit is always working with us. He inspires all of us to do what is right, learn the truth, and share our faith. He is the perfect teacher and knows what we need to learn and the best way to teach it to us.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What is the Holy Spirit teaching you? How does the Holy Spirit teach you?
Family Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, help us to learn what God needs us to know. Amen.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
5/15/22 - The New Commandment - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In the Old Testament, before Jesus came, there were many commandments. Jesus obeyed the commandments, but in this week’s Gospel, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment. He told his disciples to love one another. Jesus wants us to love each other the way he loves us. We must look at how Jesus loves us. He loves us completely and unconditionally. He is ready to forgive any offense. He sacrificed his life for us.
Let us turn to God and let him transform our hearts and free us to love others with compassion and kindness. Show that you are a follower of Jesus by how you love others. .
As a family watch video in its entirety then ask each other these questions.
How does Jesus show his love for you? How can you imitate his love?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to love every member of our family the way you love us. Give us the grace to put each other first and be willing to sacrifice for them. Let us show the world we are your disciples by how we love one another. Amen
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Read more: The New Commandment Cycle C / El Nuevo Mandamiento Ciclo C
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
During Jesus’ time on earth, religious leaders liked to sit around and discuss the law. One Jewish teacher asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus answered, “The first one is: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all you soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches to love God above everything else. It may sometimes be difficult to remember all the 10 Commandments. However, Jesus explains that love is the greatest commandment that sums up all the others. To love God, we praise God and thank him. With his love we learn to love each other, share, forgive, and show respect.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question?
How does Jesus show you by example how you can live out the Great Commandment of loving God and neighbor?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to not get caught up in our own busyness and forget to put you first.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
6/19/22 - Body and Blood of Christ - Cycle C
Dear Families,
This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (the Eucharist, Holy Communion). Just as our bodies are in need of proper nourishment for energy, we also need to feed our spiritual needs. In the Eucharist, God’s grace makes us strong and feeds us with God’s love.
Today’s Gospel tells us about Jesus’ miracle and how He provided food to a very large crowd, five thousand with only five loaves of bread and two fish. They even had leftovers, twelve baskets!
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions regarding the Gospel.
What does Jesus tell the disciples to do? What do we learn about Jesus from this story?
Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, you feed us with your Body and Blood. You fed the hungry crowds. Open our eyes and hearts to the needs of others. Amen
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Read more: Body and Blood of Christ Cycle C / Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo Ciclo C
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
10/16/22 - Jesus Tells Us to Keep Asking - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable (story) to show his disciples that they should never get discouraged about praying. He tells them a story about a widow’s case who was being ignored by a judge. The widow persists in seeking her rights and the judge has little reason to care about her rights. The widow keeps coming back and bothering him so he finally knows she will keep bothering him and grants her request.
Jesus’s parable invites us to recognize that God will be better than the judge about answering our prayers. The Gospel invites us to imitate the widow in asking always and repeatedly for what we need. When we persist in prayer, and ask for what we need or want, God helps us to see which things and people really matter to us and how we can help. Jesus teaches us that we must pray always and never get discouraged.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions?
What do you ask God for when you pray? How do you know that God hears your prayers?
Family Prayer: Lord we will try harder to pray often. Show us how to be patient when we pray. Amen.
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Read more: Jesus Tells Us to Keep Asking Cycle C / Jesús Nos Dice que Sigamos Pidiendo Ciclo C
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
10/9/22 - Jesus Heals Ten Lepers; One Thanks Him - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus meets ten lepers who beg to be healed. Leprosy is a horrible disease that eats away at a person’s body until they die. Jesus filled with compassion heals all ten. However, only one comes back to thank him. And the one who returns is a Samaritan, a foreigner. Samaritans were not liked by the Jewish communities because of their differences. Jesus praises the Samaritan for his gratitude and tells him that his faith has saved him
A lesson we learn in this Gospel has to do with salvation and being thankful for all the amazing things God does for us. He made you and gave you everything you need to live. Jesus shows how he loves all people, even those we think are outsiders.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What is something you took for granted this week? What do you thank God for?
Family Prayer: Lord, we thank you for all of the ways that you have healed and helped us. We will try harder to not take you for granted. Amen.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
10/23/22 -The Pharisee and the Tax Collector- Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel Jesus tells us another parable about prayer. He tells the story about two men praying in the Temple. One was a Pharisee who was a member of a pious religious group who studied and carefully kept the Law of Moses and taught the written law of the Bible. The Pharisee prayed about his goodness and compared himself to others who were not as good as he. The other was a Jewish tax collector who made his living by collecting taxes for the Romans, and at times charged more to make a better living. People during those days did not like them. The tax collector prayed and asked God to have mercy on him, a sinner. Jesus praises the tax collector for his humility and admonishes the Pharisee’s self-righteousness.
Praying with humility helps us understand and admit that all the good things we do come from God. It helps us be sorry for the selfish things we have done, be sorry for our sins, and ask God for forgiveness.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
When have you been like the Pharisee? The tax collector? What is the difference?
Family Prayer: Lord, show us where we lack humility, and help us to remember to do good deeds in your name. Amen.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
10/30/22 - Jesus' Visit Changes Zacchaeus - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel, we hear about a tax collector, Zacchaeus. As we learned last week, tax collectors were dishonest and people did not like them. Zacchaeus being short and probably not wanting to be seen climbs onto a tree for a better view of Jesus. Jesus see Zacchaeus, calls him by name and asks that he be invited to stay at his house. People did not approve of Jesus going to a sinner’s house, but Jesus told them that he had come to save the people who were lost in sin, he wants everyone to come to him. Zacchaeus filled with the joy that Jesus was visiting him, changes, and he asks for forgiveness. Jesus shows him love and forgiveness. Zacchaeus promises to help the poor and pay everyone back for what he had stolen. Like Zacchaeus we are sinners. Jesus calls us to recognize our sins and wants us to make things right. He seeks us and wants to forgive us.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How does Zacchaeus change because Jesus becomes his friend and goes to his house? Have you ever felt really bad because of something you did? Do you think there is any sin that Jesus can’t forgive?
Family Prayer: Lord, help me accept you as my friend. Help me make room for you in every area of my life. Amen.
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Read more: Jesus' Visit Changes Zacchaeus Cycle C / La Visita de Jesús Cambia a Zaqueo Ciclo C
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
12/18/22 - An Angel Speaks to Joseph - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In this Fourth Sunday of Advent, we learn about Joseph’s dilemma when he learns that Mary, who he is betrothed to, is expecting a child that is not his. He could have accused Mary of adultery and subjected her to punishment. But he was unwilling to take this step, so he decided to divorce her quietly. However, an Angel appears to Joseph in a dream, and tells Joseph to take Mary as his wife for her pregnancy is an act of God. The angel tells him to name the baby Jesus. Joseph trusting God, makes a choice, and does what the Angel tells him. He takes Mary into his home and names the baby Jesus which means “he will save”.
As the prophet Isaiah said, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel which means “God is with us”. Let us not forget that God is always with us. He is our Savior.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
When has God helped you make a choice when you needed help?
Family Prayer: God, help us make choices that bring us closer to you. Help us to follow your guidance. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.
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Read more: An Angel Speaks to Joseph Cycle A / Un Ángel le Habla a José Ciclo A
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
11/6/22 - The Resurrection Is The Heart Of Our Faith - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, the Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection from the dead, ask Jesus a ridiculous tricky question. They ask him, what would happen if a widow had different husbands throughout her life and they died. Who would she be married to in Heaven? Jesus is not tricked. He teaches that God is God of the living. Jesus tells them that in Heaven people are like angels because they can’t die anymore, so they will not be married. All are alive in God. Jesus’ teaching on the rising from the dead is the heart of our Catholic faith.
It is not easy to imagine what our life will be like after the resurrection of the dead. It will be different, it will not be the same as this world, we will live in great joy as children of God.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What does the word resurrection mean to you? What is the name of the prayer at mass where we profess the belief of the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come?
Family Prayer: Pray the “The Creed” together. Amen.
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