COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

11/13/22 - Jesus Promises To Be With Us - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a message of hope, he tells us not to be afraid. He promises to be with us in the sicknesses, deaths, wars, disasters, and persecutions that will happen before he comes again in glory.

Because of our faith in Jesus, we are able to stand firm during difficult times. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus helps us work for justice, peace, and to support one another. When we stand firm in our faith, and focus on Jesus, we live with the hope of everlasting happiness with God in Heaven.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.

What things do you worry about? How does Jesus help us with our worries? What hope does Jesus give us?

Family Prayer: Jesus, we ask you for your help when things get difficult. Help us to be there for one another. Amen

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

11/20/22 - Jesus Rules with Forgiveness and Love - Cycle C

Dear Families,

This Sunday is the end of our liturgical year and we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. When Jesus was on earth many of his followers thought he would be the ruler of an earthly kingdom, rule and have soldiers. Instead, Jesus is crucified and made fun of, and they write on a sign above his cross, “This is the King of the Jews”. Jesus is mocked and hangs between two thieves and is ridiculed by one for not saving them and himself, but the other defends Jesus. He asks Jesus to remember him and Jesus promises that they will be in Heaven together.

Today’s Gospel invites us, like the good thief on the cross to recognize that Jesus is indeed King and savior of all. Let’s recognize that the Cross is a place of trust, where Jesus accepted his death for our salvation. Jesus’ Resurrection shows that his actions for forgiving, sharing, and loving have power stronger than death for all of us. He is, “Christ the King”, our savior.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.

What kind of King is Jesus? How does Jesus lead us? How do we ask Jesus for forgiveness?

Family Prayer: Jesus, you are our King and there is no other. Help us to follow your example of forgiveness. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

11/27/22 - Jesus Tells Us to Be Ready - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday is Advent, the first day of our new Liturgical Year. During Advent we remember Jesus’ first coming but we also need to think about Jesus’ second coming. The message from this Sunday’s Gospel is get ready. Jesus is coming again. No one knows when Jesus will come again. Advent gives us the opportunity to change and to live each day as we would want to live if we knew that Jesus would return that day. Let us all remember that this world and this life are only temporary. We have something greater to look forward to, being with Jesus in Heaven.

During this Advent season let us prepare each day for the day of Jesus’ second coming by listening to his words, and understanding his message of hope, love, joy and peace.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.

What are some ways your family gets ready for Christmas? In what way does your family get ready for Jesus’ second coming?

Family Prayer: God, help us to make room in our home and our hearts to welcome Jesus. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

10/2/22 - Faith The Size Of A Mustard Seed - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, when the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith, he tells them that with a tiny bit of faith they could do amazing things. He showed them a tree and told them that if they had faith as tiny as a mustard seed, they could tell the tree to move from the land into the sea and it would!

But what is faith? Faith is believing in God’s love for us, his goodness and trusting him. Faith in God is a gift he gives us so that we can believe in Him. God gives us the gift of faith but it’s up to us to use it. There are many people who don’t have a tiny bit of faith. They don’t feel God loves them, they do not feel God is looking after them and they try to do things on their own and their lives spin out of control.

We use our gift of faith when we decide to obey, trust and believe in God’s love for us. We put our faith into action when we help those in need and do not expect anything in return.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
According to Jesus, how much faith is enough? What are some of the little things that each of us do for our family that make a big difference?

Family Prayer: Lord, help our family open our hearts to your love so that we grow in our faith. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

9/4/22 - Family, Friends or God - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus talks about hating our families. You are probably thinking, but I thought Jesus didn’t want us to hate anyone? He does not want us to hate. What Jesus is telling us is that we should love God more than we love the people closest to us. God wants us to stay close to the people we love, but Jesus is telling us that to follow God we need to put him first. This means that we should be ready to do what God wants even if it means losing our family or best friends.

It can be very difficult and require sacrifice to do what is right, and to choose between doing what Jesus teaches us or keeping friends. People might make fun of us and reject us. We are so blessed that Jesus is so honest with us, and teaches us how to be ready to give up anything or anyone that would stop us from following him.

As a family, watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Why do you think it would be difficult to follow what Jesus teaches? What sacrifices would you make to follow Jesus?

Family Prayer: Jesus, when it is difficult to follow you, help us to remember what you sacrificed to save us. Amen