Faith Formation

Special Religious Education

6/25/23 - Do Not Be Afraid - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his twelve apostles to not be afraid. Do not be worried. They would be challenged by the world because of their belief, but He assures them that God knows, loves, and protects them. God their Father even knows how many hairs they have on their heads.

What Jesus says to his Apostles reminds us that we should always remember how much God knows, loves, and protects us. He knows us and sees even little things we might fear or worry about. We don’t need to live in fear, because God our Father is always with us. Do not be afraid. Share God’s love and care with those around you.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do you share God’s love with others? What do you hear in this Gospel when you are afraid to share God’s love with others?

Family Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to not be afraid to spread the message of God’s love to others. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

My dear families,

I pray this email finds you all well and praying as a family.

When the 11 disciples went to the mountain, Jesus said to them “Go and make disciples of all nations”. The Ascension of the Lord, Thursday May 21^st is often called the “Great Commission”.

We are called to be disciples and observe all that Jesus has taught and commanded us to do. Through our actions we lead people to Christ.

Witnesses to this “Great Commission” are our Pastor Father Stan, Father Victor, Father Charlince, lectors, cantors, musicians, and altar servers, seen when mass is livestreamed into our homes. Deacon Andres setting the technology and managing the videos and Deacon John with his daily reflections.

Our priests are not just taking care of our spiritual needs but also our physical needs by distributing food to our parishioners in need. Marge who is always there for all of us. All who donate to Parish Outreach and all volunteers who pack the food donated and keep our Church clean and looking beautiful. Our families who through their trials are demonstrating the virtues of love, patience, kindness, humility.

Read more: Ascension (Faith Formation)

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

7/2/23 - Jesus Our Priority - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew sounds confusing. We are to love Jesus more than our parents, and children or else we are not worthy of his love. The word to look at is more, Jesus is asking us to place our love for him above all others, not instead of others. Remember that our families are gifts from God. God gave our families to us because he is the giver of every good gift. Jesus knows that it is not easy to follow him, he tells us that we are to give his love to others without expecting anything in return. The way to do this is by putting his love in our hearts first and follow him.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do we love someone more than Jesus, and choose not to follow Jesus? Are we dead to sins and alive with God?

Family Prayer: God, thank you for the gift of family. Help us choose you first so that we may receive the grace to share your love, peace and kindness with one another. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

My dear families,

I pray this email finds you all well and praying as a family.

In this week’s video in the Gospel of John, Jesus prays to the Father for His Disciples. We are His Disciples. What a blessing to know that Jesus prays for us. Jesus is working for, in, and through us.

Thank the Lord for all his works and words. Ask the Lord to show you how to be in the world, but not of the world. Remember to always love one another as He loves you.

As a family, ask each other how are we Jesus’ Disciples? How can you witness to each other that you are a disciple of Christ?

May the peace of the Lord be always with you.

Jesus Prays

John 17:1-11

Click the picture.

Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

7/9/23 - King of Peace - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest.” Jesus is telling us that God, Our Father, understands when we are worn out. He knows when we are burdened with problems, are tired at work, at school. He teaches us that when we pray and share our burdens with him, they become lighter.

God wants us to go to him when we need to rest, and open our minds to his wisdom and love. When our hearts rest in God we experience peace. When we experience this peace, it is then shared with love and compassion for others.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Do you go to God when you are troubled?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus in our times of trouble, let us always share our burdens with you. Amen.