Faith Formation

4/30/23 - Jesus is the Good Shepherd - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us that he is the Shepherd that opens the gate for his sheep, and he protects them from robbers who will climb over the fence. The sheep will be led by their Shepherd’s voice and only listen to it. They will run away from a stranger’s voice.

Jesus is our shepherd at the gate of the Church. When we celebrate as a community at Mass, we are there as his sheep. He gives us the grace to hear his voice, and not those voices that want to rob us of our faith and trust in him. He knows each one of us, wants to protect us, keep us safe, and give us eternal life with God.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Who cares for you? Who has shown you how to help others? How does Jesus, the Good Shepherd, care for his sheep?

Family Prayer: Jesus, thank you for being our Good Shepherd. You know us by name, care for us, and love us. Help us take care of one another through loving thoughts and actions. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

5/7/23 - Jesus Is Our Way to God - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples not to let their hearts be troubled. To have faith in him. He declares “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” He is the way to the Father in Heaven. Whoever knows him knows God. They learn that whoever believes in him will be able to do the work that he did and greater ones.

Let us all remember that we are not to be troubled. Jesus loves us. He tells us that when we know him, and believe in him we are on the path to God in heaven. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Through him we find eternal life and when we share these truths, he tells us we are able to do his work and more.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Why does Jesus tell his disciples to have faith in him? What does Jesus ask of his followers? Do you follow Jesus?

Family Prayer: Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life. Help our hearts not be troubled and trust you in all things. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

5/14/23 - Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sundays Gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples that if they love him, they will obey his commandments.

He promises them that even though he is going back to God the Father he will not abandon them, because they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them understand God’s truth and love. The Holy Spirit will help them continue to obey his commandments and spread God’s message of truth and love to others.

Jesus has also given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, whom we received at Baptism. When we call in prayer the Holy Spirit, he will help us understand God’s love for us, follow Jesus, and share his truth and love with others.

As a family watch video in is entirety and then ask each other this question?
How am I aware of the Holy Spirit of love and truth in my life?

Family Prayer: God thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and for all the people who help us live as Jesus disciples. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

5/21/23 - (What is the Ascension?) 7th Sunday of Easter - Cycle A

Dear Families,

Thursday, May 18^th was the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, and the video for this week will reflect on the readings of that day. In the First Reading Acts 1:1-11 Jesus took his disciples up to a hill and he disappears into a cloud. In the Gospel of Matthew 28:16-20, he commands them to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations. Want to know more? Watch the video, and ask yourselves these questions. Where did He go? What did he say? What did he promise?

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus prays not only for his disciples but also for us. He prays to God the Father to bless his people. He prays that even though we are challenged in the world to be unique and not let ourselves be influenced by the world. He prays that in the world we keep our hearts and minds on what he has revealed to us and to share it with the world. Jesus came to show us how to live in the world, and with his love we know all things are possible.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions.
Who has taught you about Jesus? Who have you taught about Jesus?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us share God’s word as you taught us. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

5/28/23 - Pentecost Sunday - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday, Easter ends with the celebration of the Feast of Pentecost. Pentecost is when the Holy Spirit came to the disciples and the story of Pentecost is in today’s first reading in the Acts of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit was given to the Apostles to guide, teach and be with them when Jesus was gone. In the Gospel of John, Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. He tells them “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” and he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jesus gave the apostles the ability to forgive sins and bring peace to the world.

Jesus gave the disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them spread his message of love, peace and forgiveness. This same Holy Spirit is still with us today. With the Holy Spirit let us bring peace to our home, family, friends, and the world.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How does the Holy Spirit work in our family to bring us the gift of forgiveness, peace and love?

Family Prayer: Holy Spirit, help our family receive your gift of peace, so that with your love and forgiveness we are present in your name to each other. Amen.