Faith Formation

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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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

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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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

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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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/30/24 - Miracles - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Mark, we hear how Jesus performed two miracles. We first hear the story about the father asking Jesus to heal his sick daughter. The second story is about a desperate sick woman who dares to touch Jesus. Jesus’ touch raised the dead girl and cured the sick woman who touched him. He was moved by the faith of these two people.

In these two miracles we learn to pray when we or someone in our family is sick. Jesus teaches us that when we ask with faith, he will touch us and heal us. He will help us understand what we are going through. Remember Jesus is always with us and loves us. We experience Jesus touch by going to Mass, and praying every day.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What does it mean to ask Jesus for something with faith?

Family Prayer: Jesus, please help us to have faith. Teach us to ask for what we need with faith. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

7/7/24 - What is a Prophet? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Last Sunday, we saw Jesus perform great miracles because of faith. This Sunday is quite different. People in Jesus’ hometown could not see who he really was. They only recognized the person they remembered from when he was younger. Because of their lack of faith, he did not perform any miracles.

Listen carefully to the Gospel, and consider whether you struggle to believe Jesus could do miracles.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why did the people in Jesus’ hometown have trouble seeing him as the Messiah and doubted he could do miracles?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, it is normal to doubt things sometimes. Please help us to look past our doubt and trust in you for everything. Amen.