Faith Formation
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In last week’s Gospel, we heard Jesus chose 12 Apostles and sent them to preach and heal in his name. In today’s Gospel, we hear what happens when they return from this important work.
The Apostles gathered with Jesus and reported all they had done. Jesus saw that they were very tired and told them to take a break, but the crowds found out and followed them. Even though they were tired, Jesus and his Apostles were moved with pity and continued to help the people.
Family demands can make us feel like Jesus and the twelve Apostles. When we pray, we can talk to Jesus about our own needs and the concerns for others. Jesus will renew and strengthen us to live as his disciples.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
How do you find the energy to do things you need to do when you are tired?
Family Prayer: Jesus, we know your grace is sufficient for whatever we need to do. Please help us turn to you when we need rest and when we need strength. Amen
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
No one is ever too young to help Jesus! In this Sunday’s Gospel, a little boy gave all the food he had to Jesus. Jesus performed a miracle and fed thousands of people with the little boy’s gift. Jesus was showing us that later he would feed thousands of us with the Holy Eucharist.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
What gifts do you have that Jesus could multiply to help others?
Family Prayer: Jesus, sometimes we are hungry too! We hunger for love, encouragement, or peace. Please help us to turn to you to give us all the things we hunger for. Amen
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel the people follow Jesus because He had given them bread. Jesus teaches them that what they really needed was not just food, but the food that God would give them. That food is Jesus Himself, the Bread of Life! When we celebrate Holy Communion, we receive Jesus Himself. Let’s remember that He is the Bread of Life. God provides for all our physical and spiritual needs.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions.
Why does Jesus tell us that if we eat the bread he gives us, we will never be hungry? What does this mean?
Family Prayer: Lord, you gave us everything you had: Your life, your Body and your Blood. Teach us to give everything we have to you. Amen
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
This Sunday’s Gospel begins with the Jews complaining because they could not understand what Jesus meant when he said that he was the bread of life that came down from heaven. They knew he was Joseph’s and Mary’s son. Jesus hears them and responds by talking about his unity with God the Father. He repeats “I am the Bread of Life.” He teaches that the bread of life will be his own flesh, given for the life of the world.
Today’s Gospel focuses our attention on our faith in Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist. Jesus is the Bread of Life. He gives us his Body and Blood as bread so that we may have eternal life. Jesus promises us the gift of eternal life in the Eucharist.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
What does Jesus say a person must do to know him well.
Family Prayer: Jesus, it is hard to believe what we cannot see. Help us to have faith in you and your promise that the Eucharist is really you. Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Amen
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
This Sunday we celebrate the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. The Catholic Church teaches that Mary, who was without sin, was taken, body and soul by God into Heaven. The Gospel reading recalls Mary’s actions after the announcement of her pregnancy with Jesus by the Angel Gabriel. The angel told her that her cousin Elizabeth was going to have a baby and Mary immediately leaves to visit her. In her womb, Mary brings Jesus to her cousin, and they greet each other with joy. Elizabeth’s baby (John the Baptist) leaps with joy in her womb. Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the mother of God and greets her saying “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Phrase in Hail Mary). Mary responds to Elizabeth’s greeting and sings with her song of praise (The Magnificat). With eyes of faith, they see the power and salvation of God breaking through into their lives and into the world.
Mary’s song of praise reminds us that God is always working for the salvation of the world. Let us foster a spirit of praise and thanksgiving and bring Jesus to others as Mary brought Jesus to her cousin Elizabeth.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
How do we praise and thank God for the things that God is doing in our lives and in our world today?
Family Prayer: Let’s make Mary’s prayer of thanksgiving (Luke1:46-47) our own.
Our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior. Amen