COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality
(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
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Read more: Second Sunday of Easter Cycle B / Segundo Domingo de Pascua Ciclo B (Faith Formation)
(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
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(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
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(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
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In Sunday’s Gospel, we hear of a great storm. Jesus is on a boat with his disciples and has fallen asleep. His disciples are afraid of the storm and they wake up Jesus. Jesus wakes up and orders the wind and sea to calm down. Jesus asks his disciples: “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
We all face personal storms of fear, anger, loneliness, rejection, loss of a loved ones. We can share our worries and concerns with Jesus. When we bring our worries to Jesus in prayer, he can help us see our worries from a different perspective. He can help us face our worries with faith in God’s love and protection.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions:
When you are afraid, do you remember that Jesus is with you?
How can Jesus help you when you are afraid?
Family Prayer: Jesus, increase our trust in you especially when we are afraid. Help us to trust that you will help us at all times. Amen.
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