COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

9/1/24 - Why Rules? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells the Pharisees and some scribes that our holiness is more than just following their rules. Jesus tells them that their thoughts and actions are not following God’s commandments.

Jesus teaches us that that when we are kind, generous and loving towards one another we are following God’s laws.

Watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How do we follow God’s laws in our hearts?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to be true in our faith and love for you. Let our hearts and our actions reflect that love. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

9/15/24 - Faith or Works? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus asks his disciples who do people say that he is, and they respond saying John the Baptist, Elijah, or a prophet. But then he asks them, “who do you say that I am”? Peter replies “You are the Christ.” Then Jesus teaches them that he will be rejected by many, suffer and die on the cross. Peter who doesn’t understand rebukes Jesus. Jesus tells Peter he is thinking not as God does, but as human beings do. He then tells the disciples and the crowd that whoever wishes to follow him must take up their cross and follow him.

As human beings we have our own expectations of God and what should be happening in our world. God’s plan is always more than what we can imagine. Jesus loved us so much that he suffered and died for us. Trust, that Jesus is always with us to help us carry our cross when we follow him and offer our lives in service to others.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What does Jesus mean when he says we must take up our cross and follow him?

Family Prayer: Jesus, teach us to believe in you and trust in you completely, even when it seems difficult. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

9/22/24 - Feeling Jealous? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus explains that he will suffer and die, but the disciples are too afraid of what he is saying to question him about it. Instead, they begin to argue on which one of them is the most important. Jesus knew what they were talking about, so he tells them that if they want to be first, they must be humble, be last and serve others.

Jesus teaches us that what is most important is not having the best things or being best at something. We learn that when we freely love and serve others, we are great in God’s eyes.

As a family watch video and then ask each other this question?
How can you serve others and help them with the difficulties they are experiencing?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to see you when we see people in need. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

10/6/24 - Why Is Marriage Important? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus reminds us that from the very beginning of creation God made the union of a man and a woman a blessed and sacred commitment. Then, when people were bringing children to be touched by Jesus the disciples would not let them come near and Jesus told them to let the children come to him because the kingdom of God belongs to them, and he blessed them.

Jesus is teaching us about the Sacrament of Marriage and the graces received so they can love each other. As husband and wife, they are one and become parents. Fathers and Mothers bring new children into the world. God blesses all parents and children with the grace of the Holy Spirit to go through difficult times in their family relationships. Jesus teaches that we need to be like children and trust in his promise to care for us when we ask for his help.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How do I show I belong to my family? How do I show I belong to Jesus’ family?

Family Prayer: Loving God, give us the capacity to love and serve each other as a family. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

10/27/24 - Jesus and Bartimaeus - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Mark, a blind man called Bartimaeus called out to Jesus to cure him. The crowd around him try to silence him, but Bartimaeus keeps persisting by calling out louder. Jesus hears Bartimaeus, approaches him, and asks him what he wants. Bartimaeus responds that he wants to see. Jesus tells Bartimaeus that his faith has saved him and heals him of his blindness.

Jesus teaches us that to be persistent about bringing our needs to him when we are hurting, lonely, or sad. Jesus wants us to have so much faith in him that we should not let anyone stop us from calling out to him. He loves us, and he is always there to help us.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What do you want Jesus to heal for you? Do you believe that he can heal you?

Family Prayer: Lord, sometimes we don’t even recognize that we need healing. Help us to see where we might be broken and humbly ask you to heal us. Amen.