Faith Formation

Dear Parents,

Alleluia! this Sunday we celebrate Jesus Resurrection! We have made it through the forty days of Lent, and walked with Jesus on his journey to the cross in Holy Week. It is celebration time and Easter doesn’t end today. Easter never ends, what Jesus did through his death and resurrection never ends. Let’s look at the season of Easter, and for the next fifty days reflect on how the apostles responded to this good news. Jesus’ resurrection changed everything for the apostles. They were no longer afraid, now nothing was more important to them than sharing the good news.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.

What does Jesus’ resurrection mean to us as his disciples today?

Family Prayer: Jesus, you have triumphed over the grave and you have won new life for us. Give us the eyes of faith to see you in your glory. Amen

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Watch video as a family.

(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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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Parents,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Luke, two of Jesus’ disciples were sharing with the other disciples what had taken place on the road to Emmaus and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. As they were sharing their story Jesus suddenly stood among them and said “Peace be with you.” They were confused, frightened. Were they seeing a ghost? “Look at my hands and feet. Touch me. Do you have something to eat?” They all watched Jesus eat. Ghosts don’t eat. He reminded them to remember all he had taught them according to the Scriptures. Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He had died and risen on the third day for the repentance and forgiveness of our sins and they were to be witnesses of this truth and preach this truth to all the nations.

St. Pope John Paul II said in Australia in 1986. “We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery – the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song!”. Witness my dear families to this truth with joy.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:

How will you witness Jesus’ resurrection?

Family Prayer: “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song!” ALLELUIA!

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Parents,

This Sunday is called Good Shepherd Sunday because Jesus tells His friends that He is the Good Shepherd who will lay down His life for His sheep. He explains that a hired shepherd runs away when a wolf comes. A hired shepherd only wants to be paid. Jesus says, “I know my sheep, and they know me.” He tells us that 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 so we can go to Heaven someday.

This week our video is a reflection on the First Reading and the Gospel. As a family, watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions: How is Jesus like a good shepherd? How are you like a good shepherd?

Family Prayer: Teach us Lord, to hear your voice and answer you. Amen

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Parents,

In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus tells us He is the vine and we are the branches. He explains 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 a gardener prunes and tends a garden so it will grow strong.

Jesus calls us to grow good fruit with our lives. We grow fruits of love, kindness, patience, and goodness when we stay connected to Jesus. We do this by listening to Jesus’ teachings, following his example, and praying.

As a family, watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:

How can you stay connected to Jesus, like branches are connected to a vine?

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