(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

This Sunday’s Gospel begins with the Jews complaining because they could not understand what Jesus meant when he said that he was the bread of life that came down from heaven.  They knew he was Joseph’s and Mary’s son.  Jesus hears them and responds by talking about his unity with God the Father. He repeats “I am the Bread of Life.”  He teaches that the bread of life will be his own flesh, given for the life of the world. 

Today’s Gospel focuses our attention on our faith in Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist.  Jesus is the Bread of Life.  He gives us his Body and Blood as bread so that we may have eternal life.  Jesus promises us the gift of eternal life in the Eucharist.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.

What does Jesus say a person must do to know him well.

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

 

19Sun OT en

 Click Picture

 Watch video as a family.

 


(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Parents,

This Second Sunday of Easter is about faith and divine mercy.  Last week Jesus was resurrected.  The Apostles were scared and confused.  This week we hear how they were hiding behind locked doors when Jesus appeared and said "Peace be with you.”  He wanted them to be at peace.  He loved them; he would always be there for them.  Thomas one of the apostles was not there when Jesus appeared, and he did not believe the apostles when they told him Jesus had appeared.  Jesus came back a week later and doubting Thomas was there and Jesus showed him his wounds.  Jesus asked him to touch his wounds.  Then he said to doubting Thomas “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?”  “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question:

What doubts or questions about God are you struggling with?

This Sunday is also the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday.  On this day we thank God for His forgiveness and love.  We know how much he loves us because he suffered and died for us.  It is the mercy of God that lets all of us come back to Him after we have sinned.

Family Prayer:  Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.  Amen

 

 

divine mercy

 Click Picture

 Watch video as a family.

 


 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus uses two parables to tell us about the Kingdom of God.  In the first parable, the seeds planted grew into a healthy crop of grain, but it took many days and nights.  In the second parable, the mustard seed which is the size of a teeny dot on a sheet of paper grows into a tree.  Both these parables focus on seeds.  Seeds sown take time to grow.  When things take a long time to happen, we have to be patient and have faith.  When we learn about our faith and practice it well, it will grow so that everyone will see its effect in our lives.  We must sow seeds by spreading his words.

God wants us to know that if we live as Jesus tells us, we can look forward to happiness with God in the Kingdom of Heaven.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:

What actions start small but can grow into larger things?

(Good: kindness, love, forgiveness)

(Bad: anger, not forgiving, judgment)

Family Prayer:  Jesus help us to grow in faith, love, positive attitude, and kindness.  Amen

 

what is faith en

 Click Picture

 Watch video as a family.

 


 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

Sunday’s Gospel tells us that Jesus performed miracles.  He cured the sick and even raised the dead.  In each case he was moved by the faith of the people who requested the miracle.  We don’t think of ourselves as being in need of healing, but we all need healing in different ways.  We are human and we have physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs and perhaps need a bit of healing every single day.  Jesus wants us to ask him when we need help and to ask with faith.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:

What does it mean to ask Jesus for something with faith?

Family Prayer:  Jesus, please help us to have faith.  Teach us to ask for what we need with faith.  Amen

 

miracles en

 Click Picture

 Watch video as a family.

 


 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

Last Sunday, we saw Jesus perform great miracles moved by the faith of people.  The raising of Jairus’ daughter and the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage.  This Sunday is quite different.  People in Jesus’ hometown could not see who he really was.  They only recognized the person they remembered from when he was younger.  Because of their lack of faith, he did not perform many miracles.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.

Why did the people in Jesus’ hometown have trouble seeing him as the Messiah and doubted he could do miracles?

Family Prayer:  Dear Jesus, it is normal to doubt things sometimes.  Please help us to look past our doubt and trust in you for everything.  Amen

 

14OT en

 Click Picture

 Watch video as a family.