Faith Formation

Special Religious Education

3/31/24 - Easter Sunday

Dear Families,

Happy Easter! In today’s Gospel we learn that Mary Magdalene is the first person to arrive at the tomb and finds it empty. She runs and tells two disciples. When Simon Peter and the other disciple arrived at the tomb, they too see that it is empty.

Today we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection. Alleluia! Jesus Christ is risen! Alleluia!

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How might I share my belief in Jesus’ Resurrection with others?

Family Prayer: Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus calls his first disciples. They were disciples of John the Baptist. John directs two of them, one named Andrew to follow Jesus, the Lamb of God. They follow Jesus and spend the day with him. The next day Andrew brings his brother, Simon, to meet Jesus. When we have had an encounter with Christ, we should bring our friends to connect with him. Jesus calls us to be his friends and follow him. He calls each of us to be his disciple.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question. How can I introduce one of my friends to Jesus?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us remember that you are our friend. Show us how to introduce other friends to you. Amen

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/7/24 - Peace Be With You - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Happy Easter! Easter season is a celebration of fifty days, from Easter until Pentecost.

In this Sunday’s Gospel of John, Jesus appears to his disciples and said to them “Peace be with you.” Thomas is not with them when he appears, and Thomas does not believe them and states that unless he sees him himself, he will not believe. Jesus appears again and asks Thomas to touch him, and not be unbelieving. Thomas touched him and said “My Lord and my God.” The Lord asks Thomas “Have you come to believe because you see me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Jesus was blessing us when he said these words to Thomas. We are asked to show that we believe in Jesus as our Lord and God. We believe because of the witnessing of all who have gone before us in the faith.

This Sunday the Church also celebrates the feast of Divine Mercy, it is a special day when we remember God’s mercy. When we sin, we offend God, but because he is merciful, he forgives us when we are sorry. Jesus loves us, he suffered and died for us. It is a special day when we ask Jesus to look on us, our friends and the whole world with love and forgiveness.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do you doubt when you are with believers, or are you a believer who has doubts? Do you trust our Lord and pray for his forgiveness of sins and His mercy?

Family Prayer: Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/14/24 - What does the Resurrection mean for us? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Happy Easter!

On this Third Sunday of Easter, we hear in Luke’s Gospel how Jesus again appears to his disciples. They are afraid, and he greets them “Peace be with you.” He asks them to touch his wounds and give him something to eat. Jesus is risen and still has his human body. He is Risen and is fully human and fully divine. After they ate, Jesus gives the disciples a mission, to tell others about his Life, Death, and Resurrection and His message of God’s love and forgiveness.

As disciples of Jesus, we also are invited to eat at his table and receive the Eucharist, share scriptures, and announce the Good News of Jesus’ message of God’s love and forgiveness of sins. We are to be witnesses of what we have experienced with him.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can I be a witness of God’s love to others?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us bring the Good News of your Resurrection to our family, friends, and neighbors. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus calls Andrew, Simon (Peter), James and John to leave their jobs as fishermen and to follow him. When God calls, we must be ready to drop everything and follow.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question. What would you have to leave behind to follow Jesus?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to follow you because you know what will make us truly happy. Amen