Services

7/31/22 - Rich In What Matters To God - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, when a man asks Jesus to tell his brother to share his inheritance with him, he knows that the brother is more concerned with possessions than with the love of his brother. He is being greedy; Jesus tells the parable of the rich man. There was a rich man that had such a good harvest, that he didn’t have enough space in his barns to store it all. So, he thought, I will build bigger ones and store my harvest for many years. Thinking, he could enjoy his possessions for many years; he died that night. What good were his possessions to him now?

This parable warns us against being greedy. Jesus is not saying we should not have food or save money. He is teaching us to use the things we have wisely by looking at our needs and not our wants. To understand that there are people in the world that have needs of food, clothing and shelter. He is telling us that it is more important to be loving and share what we have than to pursue having a lot of things. When a person dies, they do not take their belongings with them, but their acts of love and generosity will be remembered. We need to be rich in what matters to God.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do your feelings show that you care too much about getting things? Do you share what you have with others?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us thank you for the material blessings you give us and to share them with others. Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

10/9/22 - Jesus Heals Ten Lepers; One Thanks Him - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus meets ten lepers who beg to be healed. Leprosy is a horrible disease that eats away at a person’s body until they die. Jesus filled with compassion heals all ten. However, only one comes back to thank him. And the one who returns is a Samaritan, a foreigner. Samaritans were not liked by the Jewish communities because of their differences. Jesus praises the Samaritan for his gratitude and tells him that his faith has saved him

A lesson we learn in this Gospel has to do with salvation and being thankful for all the amazing things God does for us. He made you and gave you everything you need to live. Jesus shows how he loves all people, even those we think are outsiders.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What is something you took for granted this week? What do you thank God for?

Family Prayer: Lord, we thank you for all of the ways that you have healed and helped us. We will try harder to not take you for granted. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

1/22/23 - Jesus Calls His First Disciples - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday in the first part of Matthew’s Gospel, he shows us that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies given to the people by Isaiah in the Old Testament when he says that the Messiah will begin his ministry in Galilee, the land of the Gentiles. He will bring light to the land where there was darkness. Jesus fulfills this prophecy. He preaches in Galilee saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As Jesus is walking by the Sea in Galilee he calls his first disciples Peter, Andrew, James and John. He calls them while they were working as fishermen. He offers to teach them how to become fishers of men and share the news of God’s Kingdom, his light and love for everyone. They immediately leave what they were doing and follow him. Through Jesus teachings, miracles, and healings they see the Kingdom of God.

Like the first disciples, let us become followers of Jesus and make following him our first priority. On our journey as disciples, Jesus teaches us how to follow him and bring the Kingdom of God to all those we encounter. Trust that God will show us the way and guide us.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How do we bring the Kingdom God to our families, friends, and neighbors?

Family Prayer: Dear Lord, reveal your presence of love in our hearts and to hear your voice. Help us always put you first in all that we do and bring the Kingdom of God to all we encounter. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

8/14/22 - I have come to set the earth on fire! - Cycle C

Dear Families,

Jesus continues to teach us that true disciples love God above all else. In this Sunday’s Gospel, it is difficult to understand what Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! Jesus is speaking about the flame he wants blazing in our hearts with his love. He also says that he has come not only to bring peace but also division. He wants his disciples to understand that faith is not understood by everyone, and some will be against it. Our faith requires us to make hard choices. Being a follower of Jesus means we wouldn’t make a bad choice just to have friends or make someone else happy.

Following Jesus is not easy, but good choices help us have peaceful hearts and minds. A true disciple loves God above all relationships and things.

Watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What has Jesus brought to your family and friends, division or peace? Why?

Family Prayer: “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.” Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

9/4/22 - Family, Friends or God - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus talks about hating our families. You are probably thinking, but I thought Jesus didn’t want us to hate anyone? He does not want us to hate. What Jesus is telling us is that we should love God more than we love the people closest to us. God wants us to stay close to the people we love, but Jesus is telling us that to follow God we need to put him first. This means that we should be ready to do what God wants even if it means losing our family or best friends.

It can be very difficult and require sacrifice to do what is right, and to choose between doing what Jesus teaches us or keeping friends. People might make fun of us and reject us. We are so blessed that Jesus is so honest with us, and teaches us how to be ready to give up anything or anyone that would stop us from following him.

As a family, watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Why do you think it would be difficult to follow what Jesus teaches? What sacrifices would you make to follow Jesus?

Family Prayer: Jesus, when it is difficult to follow you, help us to remember what you sacrificed to save us. Amen