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12/22/24 - Messiah

Dear Families,

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, our Gospel reading recalls Mary’s actions after the announcement by the Angel Gabriel of Jesus birth and her cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy.  Mary immediately decides to visit her cousin Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting, the baby (John the Baptist) leaped with joy in her womb.  She was filled with the Holy Spirit and Elizabeth gives us the words that are central to the Hail Mary “Blessed is the fruit of your womb.”  The mystery of the Incarnation, God taking on human flesh by the Virgin Mary.  Both Mary and Elizabeth show how to trust God’s word that Mary would become the mother of Jesus and rejoiced in God’s blessings.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
In what way can you imitate Mary and help bring Jesus to others?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, teach us to love your mother, Mary, like you do.  Amen.

 

 

Messiah En

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12/29/24 - Holy Family Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Dear Families,

 

In this Sunday’s Gospel, at the age of 12 Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Passover, an event where family and friends traveled together each year.  On their way back home, they realized Jesus was not with them.  They were worried when they could not find Jesus with any of their families or friends.  After three days they found Jesus when they went back to the Temple.  When they found him and they told him how concerned and anxious they were, Jesus asked them why were they concerned since he was in his Father’s house, but he was obedient and returned with them to Nazareth.

 

As a family watch reflection video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What makes our family holy?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, Mary and Joseph pray for us. Amen

 

 

HolyFamily 2024 En

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1/5/25 - Epiphany of the Lord

Dear Families,

 

This Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord.  The Gospel tells us about the Magi.  They were three wise men from the East that had seen a special star rising up in the sky and traveled to Jerusalem.  They asked to meet with King Herod and asked him where was the child who had been born King of the Jews because they wanted to do him homage.  Herod was very upset with this question.  He was already the King of the Jews.  He was upset someone would take away his power.  Herod asked the Magi to let him know when they found him because he too wanted to do homage.  But secretly he wished to learn his whereabouts so he could kill him.

 

The Magi followed the star to Bethlehem until it stopped over the place where the Child Jesus was.  They bowed to the ground and did homage, and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  During the night they had a dream telling them not to go back to Herod, so they went back to their country taking another road.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What gift can you give Jesus that shows your love for God and others?

 

Family Prayer:  Lord, like the Magi help us to seek and worship you as our King.  Amen.

 

 

The Magi 2025 En

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1/12/25 - Baptism of the Lord - Cycle C

Dear Families,

 

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.  Many people in Israel thought John the Baptist was the Messiah.  John clears the confusion by explaining he baptizes with water but one mightier than he will baptize with the Holy Spirit.  After Jesus was baptized by John, the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove.  A voice from Heaven said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each present for this important event.  Jesus is not alone when he begins his mission.

 

Like Jesus, we are God’s beloved sons and daughters.  When we are baptized, we are not alone.  God is getting us ready for a special mission.  At our Baptism we become members of a community that continues Jesus’ work of healing and teaching.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What happens at Baptism?

 

Family Prayer:  Thank you, Lord for making us members of your family through Baptism.  Amen.

 

 

Baptism of Lord 2025 En

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1/19/25 - Wedding in Cana - Cycle C

Dear Families,

 

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus performs his first miracle.  He turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana.  Mary observed that the hosts had run out of wine and this could become an embarrassing situation.  Mary told Jesus and he said that the time wasn’t ready yet, but Mary told the servers “Do whatever he tells you”.  Jesus obeyed Mary and asked the servers to bring six stone jars with water and changes the water into wine.  And not just ordinary wine, but the very best.  This is the first sign of Jesus glory.

 

Mary interceded at the wedding celebration and Jesus listened to her request and obeyed.  Mary intercedes for us when we ask her to pray for us.  She is an example of how presenting our needs and those of others to Jesus we can be confident that he will respond to our prayers in extraordinary ways.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
When we see a need how can we try to help?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, help us to be obedient, just like you were to your mother.  Help us see the needs of others.  Help us to do what you teach us.  Amen.

 

 

WeddingatCana 2025 En

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