COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

3/27/22 - The Forgiving Father - Cycle C

Dear Families,

This Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells us a parable about a man who has two sons. The youngest son who asked his father for his inheritance, left his home and squandered it all. The oldest son stayed, worked and obeyed him. When the youngest son returns the father throws him a party. His oldest son is jealous and doesn’t understand the father giving him a celebration for his bad behavior. What about me? I’ve been good where is my party? He is jealous. Jesus teaches us about God’s love and forgiveness. In our lives we are at times like the younger son, we walk away from God. Other times we might be like the older son, jealous of the love and forgiveness that God shows to others.

This story speaks to us about the meaning of reconciliation, God’s love, forgiveness and mercy. It is Lent, let us seek to be reconciled with God and others, especially through the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation.

This Laetare Sunday let us rejoice and remember the joy that Easter will bring after the time of repentance during Lent. Jesus tells us, “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents”. (Luke 15:7).

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question?
How can you find joy even when you are struggling or suffering?

Family Prayer: Lord, open our hearts to ask for forgiveness and to forgive others. Show us your mercy and help us to be merciful to others. Amen

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

11/28/21 - First Sunday of Advent - Cycle C

Dear Families,

Advent means “coming” it is a season of promises. We remember how long people waited for God to send the promised Messiah. We remember Jesus’ promise to be with us always. We wait for Jesus and his promise to come again in glory.

This Sundays Gospel tells us to be ready for Jesus Second coming. It contains a strong message for us to not be distracted by problems or our own bad behaviors while we wait. Jesus wants us to be good to others and ourselves while we prepare for his return.

Watch video in entirety and then ask each other this question.
What are ways to prepare for Jesus coming in glory?

Family Prayer: Lord, we want to become the people you created us to be. Give us the grace to work on those things we need to correct or improve. Amen

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

3/6/22 - Jesus Faces Temptation - Cycle C

Dear Families,

Sunday’s Gospel reveals Jesus as fully human and fully divine. The devil tempts Jesus in the desert, promising him human power and earthly goods. Jesus shows us how to resist temptation by holding tightly to the promises of God found in Sacred Scripture.

This week is the first Sunday of Lent. Lent is a special time when we prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. We prepare through Prayer by talking with God; Fasting by giving things up not just food; Almsgiving by giving generously to those who are in need.

As a family watch video in its entirety than ask each other these questions.
What are some temptations you experience? How does the Church help you to strengthen yourself against them?

Family Prayer: Pray the Lord’s Prayer together. Focus on the words “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/3/22 - Jesus Refuses to Condemn - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus urges teachers of the law to help people grow rather than condemn them. The teachers bring to Jesus a woman whom they have caught committing a very serious sin. According to the law this sin is punishable by her being stoned to death. Instead of telling them that they should punish her according to the law, Jesus told them that they should only punish her if they themselves had never sinned. They all walked away because they have all sinned. The accused woman had sinned and she was left alone before Jesus. Jesus told the woman, go and do not sin again. He was merciful.

Jesus teaches us to not be mean to people we know have sinned. We should try to be merciful like Jesus, and we should be kind to sinners because we are sinners too.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
When has forgiveness given you a new start? How do you show mercy to others?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to see our faults, before looking at the faults of others. Amen

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

2/27/22 - Jesus Speaks in Images - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us by creating images we can picture in our minds. A blind person cannot lead the blind, a rotten fruit tree cannot produce fruit, and how can you see a speck in your brother’s eyes if you have a beam in your own eye.

Jesus is saying that when a person hears his words, they will understand his teachings. When we go to Mass, study Sacred Scriptures, and pray, our hearts will be opened to apply his teachings to others. To lead the blind, bear good fruits, and be forgiving, we need to seek training in the ways of Christ and his Church. Being a disciple of Jesus means that we show our love for God in what we say and do.

As a family watch video in its entirety than ask each other these questions.
What does it mean to be a good disciple? How do we need to learn? How are we to act?

Family Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to see what you want us to learn, and open our ears to hear your teachings.