Ministries

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

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

2/2/25 - The Presentation of the Lord - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Luke, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. As was the Jewish custom, Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple forty days after his birth. Simeon a devout and righteous man was at the Temple. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would see Christ of the Lord before he died. When Mary and Joseph came to the Temple, he recognized Jesus.

We too are called to recognize Jesus Christ. When we follow our Catholic faith and customs by receiving our Sacraments, attending Mass, praying and serving others we too will recognize Jesus.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What Catholic faith traditions and customs are important to you and your family? Why are they important?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to imitate the Holy Family and to follow the teachings of the Catholic Church. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

Over the past weeks, we have heard Jesus teach that he is the Bread of Life, and those who believe in him will have eternal life.

In this week’s Gospel Jesus wanted to share the gift of himself with others, but it seemed scary to many people. Many people stopped following Jesus because they couldn’t understand what He was teaching. Jesus asked the 12 are you also going to leave? Simon Peter said that they knew that He had the words of eternal life, and that they were convinced that Jesus is the Holy One of God. The Apostles chose to stay with Jesus.

As we grow in our faith, we need to be like the Apostles and choose to follow Jesus even when it is hard, especially when other people don’t follow Him. We can’t do this without God’s help and the help of the community of faith, our Church.

On Sunday watch as people approach the altar to receive Holy Communion. They are walking towards the Eucharist. The “Real Presence” of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The Bread of Life. In Him they will have eternal life.

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

Do you have a hard time understanding what Jesus teaches us?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to believe in you even when it is difficult to understand what you have taught us. Amen

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

2/9/25 - Jesus Calls His Followers - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Luke, Jesus speaks to the crowd from Simon Peter’s boat. Then he encourages Simon to cast his net into the water. Simon questions why Jesus tells him to do this but does as he is instructed and catches many fish! Jesus tells him not to be afraid and that from now on, he will be “catching men.”

Jesus calls us to follow him too. One way that we follow Jesus is by telling others about him. Jesus speaks the same message to us today to be fishers of men for his Kingdom. God wants others to see the light of Christ in us in the way we live, speak, and witness the joy of the Gospel.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How is Jesus calling you?

Family Prayer: Jesus, you remind us that we shouldn’t be afraid and that you have a mission for us too. Help us to be open to sharing our faith with others. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel, the Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples because they didn’t follow observations of the cleaning of hands, purifying themselves before they ate and other traditions. They believed that by their actions alone they were making themselves holy. Jesus taught the Pharisees who questioned him, that we do not make ourselves holy by just our actions. Rather, we become holy when we allow God’s Spirit to transform our hearts.

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

How do you honor Jesus with your lips and your heart?

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