COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

3/10/24 - The Desert of Lent - Cycle B

Dear Families,

As a faithful community, we continue the journey of reading the Cycle A readings at the 9:00AM and 11:00AM mass with the adults who will be receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Last Sunday Jesus revealed himself to the Samaritan woman at the well and his living water. This Sunday Jesus heals the man born blind and reveals himself to him as the Son of Man.

This video is based on the Gospel of John, Cycle B. Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up so that those who believe in Him will have eternal life.” “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life”.

God so loved the world that he sent his only Son to reveal his love for us and to save us. In Jesus’ words and actions, we see God’s love and forgiveness. Jesus is a light in the darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus teaches us that love means showing others the love God has shown us in sending Him. Jesus helps us avoid the darkness of sin; Jesus is our light.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What light does Jesus give our world? How can you reflect the light of Christ to others?

Family Prayer: Lord, keep us close to the light of Christ and help us avoid the darkness of sin. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

12/22/24 - Messiah

Dear Families,

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, our Gospel reading recalls Mary’s actions after the announcement by the Angel Gabriel of Jesus birth and her cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Mary immediately decides to visit her cousin Elizabeth. When Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting, the baby (John the Baptist) leaped with joy in her womb. She was filled with the Holy Spirit and Elizabeth gives us the words that are central to the Hail Mary “Blessed is the fruit of your womb.” The mystery of the Incarnation, God taking on human flesh by the Virgin Mary. Both Mary and Elizabeth show how to trust God’s word that Mary would become the mother of Jesus and rejoiced in God’s blessings.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
In what way can you imitate Mary and help bring Jesus to others?

Family Prayer: Jesus, teach us to love your mother, Mary, like you do. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

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.

Click Photo

(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.

Click Photo

(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.