Services

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)

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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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

2/20/22 - Jesus Says Love Your Enemies - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us to be kind even to those who are not kind to us. This is very difficult, but if we want to be like Jesus, we need to love our enemies, and those who would hurt us. Jesus is teaching us about mercy. Mercy is treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated. God’s love is given to both the saint and sinner. Jesus loved everyone, even those who crucified him. We should try our best to be like him. Next time someone is mean to you ask Jesus to help you forgive that person. Jesus calls us to treat others in the way we want to be treated.

As a family, watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do you need to ask forgiveness from God or another person? What is holding you back from doing so?

Family Prayer: Lord, we find it hard to be kind when someone is not kind to us. Help us to see others as you do, so that we will not be tempted to judge them or be unkind.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

1/22/23 - Jesus Calls His First Disciples - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday in the first part of Matthew’s Gospel, he shows us that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies given to the people by Isaiah in the Old Testament when he says that the Messiah will begin his ministry in Galilee, the land of the Gentiles. He will bring light to the land where there was darkness. Jesus fulfills this prophecy. He preaches in Galilee saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As Jesus is walking by the Sea in Galilee he calls his first disciples Peter, Andrew, James and John. He calls them while they were working as fishermen. He offers to teach them how to become fishers of men and share the news of God’s Kingdom, his light and love for everyone. They immediately leave what they were doing and follow him. Through Jesus teachings, miracles, and healings they see the Kingdom of God.

Like the first disciples, let us become followers of Jesus and make following him our first priority. On our journey as disciples, Jesus teaches us how to follow him and bring the Kingdom of God to all those we encounter. Trust that God will show us the way and guide us.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How do we bring the Kingdom God to our families, friends, and neighbors?

Family Prayer: Dear Lord, reveal your presence of love in our hearts and to hear your voice. Help us always put you first in all that we do and bring the Kingdom of God to all we encounter. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

3/13/22 - Peter, James, and John See a Vision of Jesus - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus takes Peter, John, and James to the mountain to pray. While Jesus was praying, they fell asleep. They woke up and saw Jesus’ appearance change, his clothes were dazzling white and he was speaking with Moses and Elijah. While Peter was speaking to Jesus about making three tents, the disciples became frightened when a cloud came and cast a shadow over them. They heard a voice from the cloud that said to them “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

If the disciples had stayed asleep, they would have missed this amazing event. They would not have seen Jesus in glory. They would not have heard the voice from heaven. During Lent let’s stay awake to see Jesus’ presence in our lives and listen to Jesus.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How can you listen to Jesus? What might he say to you?

Family Prayer: Jesus, open our ears and hearts to better hear you. Amen