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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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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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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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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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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.

 

 

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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.

 

 

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5/5/24 - Unconditional Love - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Happy Easter!

 

This Sixth Sunday of Easter, Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you.  Remain in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete.”

 

In this Gospel, Jesus shares the depth of his love for us.  It is simple and everlasting.  He calls us to love one another, as God loves him and as he loves us.  Sharing Jesus’ love is not simple.  This love requires putting others first, giving up a special treat, or being a friend to someone who is not easy to love.  Jesus teaches us that we will be happy and complete when we love one another as he loves us.

 

This week during the Sign of Peace, try to see Jesus in each person you greet and smile at them with love.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can you find new ways to spread Christ’s love and joy to others?

 

Family Prayer:  Lord, show us how to love and bring joy to others.  Amen.

 

 

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5/12/24 - Jesus Prays for His- Cycle B

Happy Mother’s Day!

 

This week I am sending a video on you tube from the Gospel of John 17:1-26.

 

The Gospel video is just after Jesus shared the Last Supper with his friends the disciples.  He knew he was about to go to the cross.  He prayed for his friends the disciples and asked God to unite, protect, and guide them.  It is very important to understand that when Jesus was praying for his disciples, he was praying for us too.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What are the three things Jesus asks God when he prayed for his friends the disciples and us?

 

Family Prayer:  Dear Lord, pray to help us live with God’s presence in the world.  Unite, protect, and guide us always.  Amen

 

 

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5/26/24 - What is the Trinity? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

This first Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, and today we remember that God revealed himself to us as one God in three Persons:  The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus told the disciples they were to make disciples of all nations.  He said they were to baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

Today the Church continues to teach all people about Jesus and baptize in the name of the Trinity.  When we were baptized, the priest said, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”  Through our Baptism, we share both in the life of the Blessed Trinity and in the Church’s mission to teach all people about Jesus.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can you share your faith with others?

 

Family Prayer:  Lord, help us to learn more about you and the Blessed Trinity, so we can teach others.  Amen.

 

 

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6/2/24 - What is the Eucharist? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.  In this week’s Gospel of Mark, we hear Jesus give instructions to his disciples for preparing a special meal for the Jewish celebration of Passover.  We also hear about the meal that Jesus shares with his disciples at the Last Supper.

 

Some of you have already celebrated your First Eucharist, and this special day took planning and preparation.

Each Sunday Jesus invites us to join him in this special supper.  As a family, continue planning and preparing each Sunday to receive the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What are some things that we might do to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Eucharist?

 

Family Prayer:  Lord, please help us to recognize you in the Holy Eucharist.  Help us to remember that you are truly present.  Amen.

 

 

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6/9/24 - What Is Most Important - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus returns home with his twelve disciples.  A crowd has gathered, and he is accused that his miracles were done through the power of the devil.  Jesus speaks to them in parables and warns against their denial of the love of God, the forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit.  When they tell Jesus that his family is outside, waiting for him, he explains that whoever does the will of God are his brother, sister, and mother.

 

Jesus teaches us that when we believe in him, we are members of his family.  God is our Father, and we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What are some of the things we do as a family.  What are some things we do with our Church Family?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, thank you for our family and our Church family.  Help us be loving and kind to all people.  Amen.

 

 

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6/16/24 - What is Faith? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells two parables about the kingdom of God.  In the first parable, Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like a seed a man scatters and does not know how it grows, but with time the seed sprouts and grows into a harvest.  The second parable focuses on a tiny mustard seed, that though tiny grows into a tree with large branches and welcomes many birds.

 

Both of these parables focus on seeds and how they take time to grow.  They teach us that when we scatter the seed of God’s word, we do not know how it grows but we need to scatter the seed.   Also, when we plant the tiniest seed of love in our hearts and share it with others it too grows and brings the kingdom of God to others.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Why does Jesus use the seed in these parables to explain the Kingdom of God?  What do we learn about the kingdom from the mustard seed parable?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, help us to grow in faith and bring the kingdom of God to others.  Amen.

 

 

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6/23/24 - Jesus Calms the Storm - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus is in a boat sleeping with his Apostles when a big storm came up and they were afraid they were going to sink.  They wake him and ask him if he is not afraid, they will sink.  Jesus stops the storm and asks them “Why are you terrified?  Do you not yet have faith?”

 

There are many times and reasons as to why we worry and are afraid.  Remember, that whatever storms we face in our lives, when we have faith and trust Jesus his peace will calm our storms.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then 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 when we are afraid.  Amen.

 

 

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6/4/23 - The Most Holy Trinity - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This week we return to the liturgical season of Ordinary Times (I like to call it Growing Times).  However, the next two Sundays are special days that call our attention to the mysteries of our faith.  This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, and we celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity.  Whenever you begin your prayers with the Sign of the Cross, think about the Blessed Trinity.  God the Father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit.  The Trinity is God’s love in the world.

 

Today’s Gospel of John tells us that “God so loved the world that he gave his Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”  God loves us so much that he sent his only Son, Jesus to save the world.  Jesus, in turn, sent the Holy Spirit so that our faith in God and his love would be strengthened.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How is God’s great love in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit experienced in our family?

 

Family Prayer:  Lord, we ask you to help us live each day in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

 

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6/11/23 - Body & Blood of Christ - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday is a very special feast day called Corpus Christi, a Latin word which means “Body of Christ”.  In John’s Gospel we hear how Jesus told the crowd that those that eat his flesh and drinks his blood has eternal life.  It was difficult then and now to understand, but our faith tells us that each time we go to mass the bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus.  At mass listen to the words the priest says as he consecrates the bread and wine.  As he elevates the host remember this is now Jesus you are looking at.  When we receive the Eucharist, he nourishes our souls and strengthens our faith.  Jesus is truly with us; he is the living bread of eternal life.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why do you think Jesus gave us the Eucharist?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, you are truly the Bread of Life.  Thank you for your loving presence in the Eucharist.  Amen.

 

 

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7/9/23 - King of Peace - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest.”  Jesus is telling us that God, Our Father, understands when we are worn out.  He knows when we are burdened with problems, are tired at work, at school.  He teaches us that when we pray and share our burdens with him, they become lighter.

 

God wants us to go to him when we need to rest, and open our minds to his wisdom and love.  When our hearts rest in God we experience peace.  When we experience this peace, it is then shared with love and compassion for others.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Do you go to God when you are troubled?

 

Family Prayer:  Dear Jesus in our times of trouble, let us always share our burdens with you.  Amen.

 

 

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7/23/23 - Weeds Among the Wheat - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In Matthew’s Gospel of this week, Jesus continues to speak to us in parables.  In today’s first parable, Jesus talks about a man who tells his servants to let the weeds grow along with the wheat until harvest time, this way the wheat will not be pulled along with the weeds.  The man told them to wait till harvest time.  Then they were to burn the weeds and gather the wheat into his barn.

 

The weeds represent the evil in the world, the wheat the good in the world.  Wheat and weeds must grow together until harvest time.  Let this serve us as a reminder about the Kingdom of God, and learn that through our actions we must be the wheat in the world, not be judgmental, and bring God’s love and mercy to all.  God is merciful, and gives us time to do good actions so that on judgement day we can be gathered into his barn, his Kingdom of Heaven.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What does this parable of the weeds and wheat tell us about God’s judgment and his Kingdom?

 

Family Prayer:  Lord, help us to pull the weeds out of our hearts and mind, and become the loving wheat you desire for us to be gathered into your Heavenly Kingdom.  Amen

 

 

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12/17/23 - Christ in Our Hearts - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear how John the Baptist answered when he was asked if he was the Messiah.  He told them that as Isaiah had said, he was the voice of the one crying out in the desert, making straight the way of the Lord.  John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus coming.  John said he was baptizing with water and someone that they did not recognize would baptize them with the Holy Spirit.

 

Like John the Baptist we are called to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus and be the voice of faith proclaiming Jesus to the world.  In this third Sunday of Advent, as we light the pink candle of Joy, let us rejoice and remember that “Emmanuel” God is with us.  Share this joy.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Who are the people in word and action that have taught you about Jesus?

 

Family Prayer:  Dear Jesus, show us how to teach others about you.  Help us to be voices of faith.  Amen.

 

 

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1/28/24 - "To him you shall listen" - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus heals a man when he is teaching on the Sabbath during synagogue worship in Capernaum.  He heals the man with an unclean spirit.  This unclean spirit recognized Jesus as the Holy One sent by God and asked if he had come to destroy him.  Jesus rebuked him and told the evil spirit to come out of him and it did.  The people who witness are amazed at his authority.  Jesus has God’s authority to teach and heal.

 

Through this miracle Jesus teaches us a powerful lesson of God’s love, his authority, and his healing power.  He doesn’t reject the man he heals him and we learn that Jesus brings God’s healing power to all people.  We should all share the healing power of Jesus with others.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Do we recognize Jesus’ authority over us, his healing power, and his ability to teach us?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, please help us to listen to you in all things.  Amen.

 

 

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1/2/22 - Epiphany of the Lord- Cycle C

Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord.  The Gospel tells us about the Magi.  They were three wise men from the East that had seen a special star rising up in the sky and traveled to Jerusalem.  They asked to meet with King Herod and asked him where was the child who had been born King of the Jews because they wanted to do him homage.  Herod was very upset with this question.  He was already the King of the Jews.  He was upset someone would take away his power.  Herod asked the Magi to let him know when they found him because he too wanted to do homage.  But secretly he wished to learn his whereabouts so he could kill him.

The Magi followed the star to Bethlehem until it stopped over the place where the Child Jesus was.  They bowed to the ground and did homage, and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  During the night they had a dream telling them not to go back to Herod, so they went back to their country taking another road.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What gift can you give Jesus that shows your love for God and others?

Family Prayer:  Lord, like the Magi help us to seek and worship you as our King.  Amen.

 

 

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12/25/22 - Nativity of the Lord 

Dear Families,

 

Merry Christmas, know that you are in my prayers.  Wishing all of you hope, peace, joy, and love.

 

In this video, “The Nativity” Mary and Joseph welcome their son into the world.  Shepherds visit and marvel at the baby before sharing the news of Jesus’ miraculous birth with others.  The Magi visit and pay homage to Jesus.  Mary accepts the visitors praises and stores them in her heart.

 

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus in our world.  In Jesus, God becomes one of us and lives among us.  Let us shine the light of God’s love by sharing the birth of Jesus with everyone.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What gift can you give to Jesus?

 

Family Prayer:  God, we welcome Jesus into our hearts this Christmas.  Help us to believe that Jesus is with us every day.  Amen.

 

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9/3/23 - God Forbid! - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In last week’s Gospel, Peter tells Jesus he is the son of the living God.  This week Peter tells Jesus God forbid he shall suffer when he hears Jesus predict his death.  Jesus who had just given Peter authority in the Church, scolds Peter for his lack of trust.  Even someone as important as Peter needs to be corrected.  Peter would learn that if he wanted to be like Jesus, he would have to trust Jesus, pick up his cross, and follow him.

 

Jesus never said it would be easy to follow him.  Sometimes it is easy to be a disciple of Jesus.  Other times it is difficult to follow Jesus.  During difficult times we need to trust Jesus.  Faithful disciples are called to sacrifice and serve others as Jesus did.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Have you ever behaved like Peter and been an obstacle to others in their following Jesus?  How does God use others to correct you or teach you?

 

Family Prayer:  Lord, help us to think of others before ourselves.  With God’s love, let our little crosses of each day be offered up to you for the love of others.  Jesus, I trust in You.  Amen.

 

 

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4/14/24 - What does the Resurrection mean for us? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Happy Easter!

 

On this Third Sunday of Easter, we hear in Luke’s Gospel how Jesus again appears to his disciples.  They are afraid, and he greets them “Peace be with you.”  He asks them to touch his wounds and give him something to eat.  Jesus is risen and still has his human body.  He is Risen and is fully human and fully divine.  After they ate, Jesus gives the disciples a mission, to tell others about his Life, Death, and Resurrection and His message of God’s love and forgiveness.

 

As disciples of Jesus, we also are invited to eat at his table and receive the Eucharist, share scriptures, and announce the Good News of Jesus’ message of God’s love and forgiveness of sins.  We are to be witnesses of what we have experienced with him.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can I be a witness of God’s love to others?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, help us bring the Good News of your Resurrection to our family, friends, and neighbors.  Amen.

 

 

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3/24/24 - Palm Sunday and the Passion

Dear Families,

This week is Palm/Passion Sunday.  When we participate in the reading of the Passion, it is hard to say the words, “Crucify him.”  It reminds us that we all choose to sin and that Jesus loves us anyway.  He loves us so much that he died and rose for us and our salvation.

 

In Church focus on the Passion of Jesus during the Mass.  Follow along carefully and say the crowd responses strongly.  Consider what it would have been like to be there when Jesus was crucified.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
When have you gone along with the crowd, even when you knew it was not the right thing to do?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, we want to choose you.  Show us how to do what is right, even when others want us to do what is wrong.  Amen.

 

 

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12/26/21 - Christmas Day and Feast of Holy Family- Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, at the age of 12 Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Passover, an event where family and friends traveled together each year.  On their way back home, they realized Jesus was not with them.  They were worried when they could not find Jesus with any of their families or friends.  They finally found Jesus when they went back to the Temple.  When they found him and they told him how concerned and anxious they were, Jesus asked them why were they concerned since he was in his Father’s house, but he was obedient and returned with them to Nazareth. 

As a family watch Merry Christmas video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How can Jesus be born into your heart this Christmas?  What can you do to show your family that you love them?

Family Prayer:  Lord, help our family to seek and see you as we celebrate Jesus’ coming this Christmas.

 

 

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2/19/23 - Love Your Enemies - Cycle A

Dear Families,

Continuing with the Sermon on the Mount we have been hearing the last several weeks, Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for them.  By enemies, Jesus means people who don’t love us, who possibly hate us, hurt us, and who probably won’t love us back even though we love them.

 

Loving our enemies is hard.  Jesus knows we are human and not perfect, but he asks us to treat others as we ourselves want to be treated.  He teaches us to have mercy for others as he has mercy for us.  As Jesus explained, if you love only those who love you, what is so special about that?

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What is a loving way to respond to someone who upsets you?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, help us to remember to love everyone as you do.  Help us to stay calm when we are upset and to be kind when we are angry.  Amen.

 

 

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2/12/23 - Jesus Teaches God's Law - Cycle A

Dear Families,

Jesus continues with his Sermon on the Mount in this Sunday’s Gospel.  Jesus shares the difference between the law of Moses (The Ten Commandments) and his new law of love.  He said that he didn’t come to take away the law.  He came to fulfill the law.  Jesus says that the Ten Commandments are very important, but we must act from a place of love, not just obedience.

 

One of the Ten Commandments is “you shall not kill”.  Jesus teaches that to obey this Commandment is not enough.  Not only don’t kill, but don’t be violent.  Not only don’t be violent, but don’t even think violent thoughts against one another.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What is Jesus’ attitude toward the Ten Commandments?

 

Family Prayer:  Thank you, Jesus for giving us rules to guide us. Help us to follow them as you want us to.  Amen.

 

 

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1/15/23 - Lamb of God - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, when Jesus came to the Jordan River to be baptized, John the Baptist points to Jesus and testifies that he is the Lamb of God, who will take away the sins of the world, the son of God, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

 

John the Baptist knew his mission.  He prepared the way for Jesus by asking people to repent of their sins, and pointing towards Jesus.  He knew that Jesus is the Lamb of God.  As John preached, we should repent of our sins, and like him we also need to show others the way to Jesus. 

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
As a disciple of Christ, what do you think is your mission in life?

 

Family Prayer:  Lord, help us live our baptismal call with love and service to one another.  Amen.

 

 

ChristmasJesusBaptism En

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

1/8/23 - Epiphany of the Lord

Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord.  The Gospel tells us about the Magi.  They were three wise men from the East that had seen a special star rising up in the sky and traveled to Jerusalem.  They asked to meet with King Herod and asked him where was the child who had been born King of the Jews because they wanted to do him homage.  Herod was very upset with this question.  He was already the King of the Jews.  He was upset someone would take away his power.  Herod asked the Magi to let him know when they found him because he too wanted to do homage.  But secretly he wished to learn his whereabouts so he could kill him.

The Magi followed the star to Bethlehem until it stopped over the place where the Child Jesus was.  They bowed to the ground and did homage, and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  During the night they had a dream telling them not to go back to Herod, so they went back to their country taking another road.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What gift can you give Jesus that shows your love for God and others?

Family Prayer:  Lord, like the Magi help us to seek and worship you as our King.  Amen.

 

 

TheMagi En

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

12/19/21 - Fourth Sunday of Advent - Cycle C

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.

 

 

Advent4 En

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