COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

3/17/24 - Sin and the New Covenant - Cycle B

Dear Families,

As a faithful community, we continue the journey of the Cycle A readings at the 9:00AM and 11:00AM mass with the adults who will be receiving the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Jesus raises his friend Lazarus from the dead, this Gospel teaches us that Jesus has power over life and death.

This video is based on the Gospel of John, Cycle B. Jesus explains how God will bring glory from everything that is done according to his will - even Jesus’ upcoming Death. Christ compares his Death to a plant that dies, leaving seeds to grow. He wants us to love God, follow his will, and grow seeds of faith.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How is Jesus like a grain of wheat? How can you be like a seed and help grow faith?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to put you first, seek your will, and plant the seeds to help others grow in faith. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

3/31/24 - Easter Sunday

Dear Families,

Happy Easter! In today’s Gospel we learn that Mary Magdalene is the first person to arrive at the tomb and finds it empty. She runs and tells two disciples. When Simon Peter and the other disciple arrived at the tomb, they too see that it is empty.

Today we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection. Alleluia! Jesus Christ is risen! Alleluia!

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How might I share my belief in Jesus’ Resurrection with others?

Family Prayer: Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/7/24 - Peace Be With You - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Happy Easter! Easter season is a celebration of fifty days, from Easter until Pentecost.

In this Sunday’s Gospel of John, Jesus appears to his disciples and said to them “Peace be with you.” Thomas is not with them when he appears, and Thomas does not believe them and states that unless he sees him himself, he will not believe. Jesus appears again and asks Thomas to touch him, and not be unbelieving. Thomas touched him and said “My Lord and my God.” The Lord asks Thomas “Have you come to believe because you see me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Jesus was blessing us when he said these words to Thomas. We are asked to show that we believe in Jesus as our Lord and God. We believe because of the witnessing of all who have gone before us in the faith.

This Sunday the Church also celebrates the feast of Divine Mercy, it is a special day when we remember God’s mercy. When we sin, we offend God, but because he is merciful, he forgives us when we are sorry. Jesus loves us, he suffered and died for us. It is a special day when we ask Jesus to look on us, our friends and the whole world with love and forgiveness.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do you doubt when you are with believers, or are you a believer who has doubts? Do you trust our Lord and pray for his forgiveness of sins and His mercy?

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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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/21/24 - The Good Shepherd - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Happy Easter!

This fourth Sunday of Easter is called Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus tells us that he is the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep, we belong to him and he will lay down his life for us. Jesus reminds us how important we are to him, so important that he died and rose again so we can go to Heaven.

Jesus is our leader and leads the way a good shepherd leads a flock of sheep. Jesus heals the blind, lame, and deaf. He reaches to outsiders and feeds crowds of hungry people. He shows us the way to live by showing how to love one another and be good shepherds and leaders in our communities.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How is Jesus like a good shepherd? How are you like a good shepherd?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us become leaders who follow you and care for our neighbors. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/28/24 - The Vine and the Branches - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Happy Easter!

This fifth Sunday of Easter, Jesus tells us he is the vine we are the branches. Jesus uses this parable to explain how branches grow out from a vine and receive their food from the main stem. The gardener prunes and tends the garden so it will grow and bear fruit.

Jesus teaches us that we can only grow in faith and do the right things if we stay close to him. Jesus will correct and guide us, just as the gardener prunes and tends a garden so it will grow strong.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can you stay connected to Jesus, like branches are connected to a vine?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us find ways to stay close to you so we can grow in faith and love. Amen.