Faith Formation

8/18/24 - Wisdom and the Sacrament of the Eucharist

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of John, Jesus continues to say that he is the living bread that came down from heaven. Jesus told them that he is the Son of God, and whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will live forever. His listeners were troubled when they heard these words.

Every time we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist Jesus makes himself one with us. He promises us that when we eat his flesh and drink his blood, we will have eternal life.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Why do you think Jesus’ listeners were troubled when Jesus said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day”? What do you think Jesus meant when he said they would have eternal life?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for your Eucharist, for the gift of yourself. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

8/25/24 - What is "Real Presence"? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Last week we heard Jesus teach that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will live forever. In this Sunday’s Gospel we hear that many people stopped following Jesus because they could not understand what he was teaching.

However, the Apostles stayed with Jesus. Like Peter, they knew he is the Holy One of God.

There are times when we have a hard time understanding what Jesus teaches us. We need to be like the Apostles and choose to follow Jesus even when it is hard to understand his teachings.

Watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do you have a hard time understanding what Jesus teaches? What helped the Apostles believe that Jesus was the Holy One of God?

Family Prayer: Jesus, you are the Holy One of God. Help us to believe in you even when it is difficult to understand what you teach us. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

9/1/24 - Why Rules? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells the Pharisees and some scribes that our holiness is more than just following their rules. Jesus tells them that their thoughts and actions are not following God’s commandments.

Jesus teaches us that that when we are kind, generous and loving towards one another we are following God’s laws.

Watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How do we follow God’s laws in our hearts?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to be true in our faith and love for you. Let our hearts and our actions reflect that love. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

9/8/24 - Be Opened! - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, we hear how a man who could not hear and did not speak well is brought to Jesus by his friends. Jesus touched him and healed him. Jesus asks people not to tell anyone what happened. However, they were so excited they could not keep the Good News to themselves.

Right before the Gospel is proclaimed, we cross our forehead (to remember God’s words), our lips (to proclaim God’s words) and our hearts (to love and feel what we learn in the Gospel). God wants us to listen, and open our hearts to his healing love for us. Jesus wants us to speak and share the Goods News of how he heals and loves our family and friends.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Do you need to listen to God’s words with your heart before you can use your voice to tell others about Jesus?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to hear the Gospel, understand it, and tell others the Good News of Jesus. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

9/15/24 - Faith or Works? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus asks his disciples who do people say that he is, and they respond saying John the Baptist, Elijah, or a prophet. But then he asks them, “who do you say that I am”? Peter replies “You are the Christ.” Then Jesus teaches them that he will be rejected by many, suffer and die on the cross. Peter who doesn’t understand rebukes Jesus. Jesus tells Peter he is thinking not as God does, but as human beings do. He then tells the disciples and the crowd that whoever wishes to follow him must take up their cross and follow him.

As human beings we have our own expectations of God and what should be happening in our world. God’s plan is always more than what we can imagine. Jesus loved us so much that he suffered and died for us. Trust, that Jesus is always with us to help us carry our cross when we follow him and offer our lives in service to others.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What does Jesus mean when he says we must take up our cross and follow him?

Family Prayer: Jesus, teach us to believe in you and trust in you completely, even when it seems difficult. Amen.