Virus Season

7/21/24 - Jesus: Shepherd and King - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In last week’s Gospel of Mark, we heard Jesus send his disciples to preach and heal in his name. In today’s Gospel, we hear what happens when they return. The Apostles were very tired and hungry. Jesus told them to take a break, but the crowds found out and followed them. Even though they were tired, Jesus and his Apostles were moved with pity and continued to help the people. Jesus is aware that the crowd of people are like sheep without a shepherd and he begins to teach them.

Family demands can make us feel tired like Jesus and the twelve apostles. It isn’t easy to help others when we are tired. Follow Jesus and bring your concerns to him. Just as he was moved when he saw the crowd as sheep without a shepherd, he will hear you and guide you as your Shepherd.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
How do you find the energy to do the things you need to do when you are tired?

Family Prayer: Jesus, we know your grace is sufficient for whatever we need to do. Please help us turn to you when we need to rest and when we need strength. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

7/28/24 - The Miracle of the Eucharist - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of John, we listen to how Jesus saw the huge crowd of people that had come to hear him and needed food. When he asked his disciples to feed them, they don’t think they can help. They told him that there were only 5 loaves of barley bread and two fish that a boy had brought with him. Jesus took the bread and gave thanks to God, and over 5,00 people were fed plus there were twelve baskets of leftovers. Jesus’ miracle was a sign that he is truly the Son of God.

Let us remember that God feeds and nourishes us. He fulfills our physical as well as our spiritual needs. At Mass we offer the gifts of bread and wine to God and He turns it into the Body and Blood of Jesus. In the Eucharist we are fed by Jesus himself, and our spiritual needs, works, and talents are blessed and multiplied to help us live and serve others.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
What gifts do you have that Jesus could multiply to help others?

Family Prayer: Jesus, sometimes we are hungry too. We hunger for love, encouragement, or peace. Please help us to turn to you to give us all the things we hunger for and also help others. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

8/4/24 - The Bread of Life Cycle - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we learn that after the multiplication of the loaves and fishes the crowd follows Jesus. Jesus teaches them that he will give them something greater than bread that fed their physical hunger, he will give them bread that will give them eternal life.

When we are hungry, Jesus knows we need to eat food. Jesus also knows that our souls also get hungry. Jesus wants to give us the gift of himself. (Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity) in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (Communion). Jesus teaches us that he is the Bread of Life. Just like our bodies need food to stay alive, our souls need God to have eternal life.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions.
Why does Jesus tell us that if we eat the bread he gives us, we will never be hungry? What does that mean?

Family Prayer: Jesus help us to see beyond our material needs, and seek you who gives us eternal life. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

8/11/24 - When You're Stuck - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of John, people were upset because Jesus told them that he had come down from Heaven. They did not understand when Jesus said “I am the Bread of Life.” They think they know Jesus because they knew his father and mother but didn’t listen to understand what he was saying.

By praying and listening to God’s Words we learn to have faith that Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus tells us that those who listen to him will see beyond just seeing bread. The Eucharist is the Bread of Life. When we receive the Eucharist at Mass, we are receiving the Bread of Life that came down from heaven which gives us eternal life.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions.
Who sends the Bread of Life? Who is the Bread of Life? What gift is given to those who eat the Bread of Life?

Family Prayer: Jesus, it is hard to believe what we cannot see. Help us to have faith in you and your promise that the Eucharist is really you - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

8/18/24 - Wisdom and the Sacrament of the Eucharist

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of John, Jesus continues to say that he is the living bread that came down from heaven. Jesus told them that he is the Son of God, and whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will live forever. His listeners were troubled when they heard these words.

Every time we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist Jesus makes himself one with us. He promises us that when we eat his flesh and drink his blood, we will have eternal life.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Why do you think Jesus’ listeners were troubled when Jesus said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day”? What do you think Jesus meant when he said they would have eternal life?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for your Eucharist, for the gift of yourself. Amen.