Faith Formation

Dear Families,

During Jesus’ time on earth, religious leaders liked to sit around and discuss the law. One Jewish teacher asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus answered, “The first one is: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all you soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches to love God above everything else. It may sometimes be difficult to remember all the 10 Commandments. However, Jesus explains that love is the greatest commandment that sums up all the others. To love God, we praise God and thank him. With his love we learn to love each other, share, forgive, and show respect.

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

How does Jesus show you by example how you can live out the Great Commandment of loving God and neighbor?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to not get caught up in our own busyness and forget to put you first.

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, a blind man named Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus to cure him. The people in the crowd tell him to stop calling out, but he calls out more loudly. He won’t be silenced. Jesus hears him and goes to him and asks him “What do you want me to do for you?” He replies. “Master, I want to see”. Jesus tells Bartimaeus that his faith has saved him and he receives his sight.

Sometimes we can be blind too. We don’t see the truth about God and are blind to our own faults. Perhaps we are hurting or feeling alone or sad. Like Bartimaeus, we should call out to Jesus to help us and not let anyone stop us. Jesus wants us to believe that he can heal us. He shows us that our persistence in prayer is a sign of our faith.

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.

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s readings we hear about two widows. A widow is a woman whose husband has died. In the first reading we hear about a widow who was asked to give away all the food she had, and she was blessed with enough flour and oil to supply her and her son for a year. In the Gospel reading Jesus points out to his disciples a poor widow who puts in two small coins in the Temple treasury. He sees the generosity of the poor widow. Her small coins required a greater sacrifice than the large amounts the rich were giving. Both widows gave the last and the best of what they had.

When we understand that everything we have comes from God, we are then ready to give everything to him. By giving away the best of ourselves and what we have, our faith and love for one another grows. We learn that we need to thank and trust God for all he has given us.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
When you give, do you give everything you have or only what you have left over?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us see what we are withholding from you. Give us the strength to be generous and not ask for anything in return. Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

11/14/21 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples what will happen at the end of time. The sun and moon will become dark and the stars will fall down from the sky. These are scary things to hear, but then he also says he will return. He tells them that only God the Father knows when this will happen.

This Gospel is a reminder we should be prepared for Jesus’ coming at all times to enter God’s Kingdom. We need to stay close to God and away from sin. Christ will come again.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What can you do to show Jesus he is welcome in your home and heart every day?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us make loving choices every day as we wait for your return. Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

11/21/21 - Solemnity of Christ the King - Cycle B

Dear Families,

The Feast of Christ the King ends the Church year. The Church celebrates this feast to hold up Jesus as the kind of king and leader the world needs.

This Sunday’s Gospel when Pilate asks Jesus if he is a king, he answers that his kingdom does not belong to this world. He has no army. Jesus is not a king of power and force. He reins his kingdom by being a Servant King. He serves people with God’s truth, love and peace. Jesus has authority over everything, but he humbles himself to serve us and even to die for us.

On this feast of Christ the King, let us remember to allow Christ to rein in our minds, will, hearts, and bodies. Let us be followers of the Servant King.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How is God’s kingdom different from a kingdom on earth?

Family Prayer: Jesus, you are a good and loving king. Help us to follow your will and trust that it is always for our good. Amen.