Services

8/7/22 - Vigilant Servants - Cycle C

Dear Families,

Last week we heard about the foolish greedy rich man who never enjoyed his wealth. We learned we are to share our wealth with others.

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus continues teaching and gives us many parables. He tells us not be afraid, sell all your belongings and give to the poor. Your Father will take care of you. For where your treasure is your hearts will be. Light your lamps, open the door, be vigilant you do not know when the Son of Man will return.

When Peters asks if this parable was meant for everyone, Jesus answered him with a question. Would a prudent master put in charge servants who knew their master’s will, but did not prepare because they were ignorant or distracted because of their bad behavior? In other words, Jesus’ message is, much is expected from us and we need to share our gifts. We need to be vigilant servants waiting for our master’s return.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Are you vigilant, prepared for Jesus’ return? Are you ignorant or distracted when it comes to your faith?

Family Prayer: Jesus, we don’t know when you will come again. Help us remember that we should always be ready. Amen

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

11/6/22 - The Resurrection Is The Heart Of Our Faith - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, the Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection from the dead, ask Jesus a ridiculous tricky question. They ask him, what would happen if a widow had different husbands throughout her life and they died. Who would she be married to in Heaven? Jesus is not tricked. He teaches that God is God of the living. Jesus tells them that in Heaven people are like angels because they can’t die anymore, so they will not be married. All are alive in God. Jesus’ teaching on the rising from the dead is the heart of our Catholic faith.

It is not easy to imagine what our life will be like after the resurrection of the dead. It will be different, it will not be the same as this world, we will live in great joy as children of God.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What does the word resurrection mean to you? What is the name of the prayer at mass where we profess the belief of the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come?

Family Prayer: Pray the “The Creed” together. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

10/23/22 -The Pharisee and the Tax Collector- Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel Jesus tells us another parable about prayer. He tells the story about two men praying in the Temple. One was a Pharisee who was a member of a pious religious group who studied and carefully kept the Law of Moses and taught the written law of the Bible. The Pharisee prayed about his goodness and compared himself to others who were not as good as he. The other was a Jewish tax collector who made his living by collecting taxes for the Romans, and at times charged more to make a better living. People during those days did not like them. The tax collector prayed and asked God to have mercy on him, a sinner. Jesus praises the tax collector for his humility and admonishes the Pharisee’s self-righteousness.

Praying with humility helps us understand and admit that all the good things we do come from God. It helps us be sorry for the selfish things we have done, be sorry for our sins, and ask God for forgiveness.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
When have you been like the Pharisee? The tax collector? What is the difference?

Family Prayer: Lord, show us where we lack humility, and help us to remember to do good deeds in your name. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

12/18/22 - An Angel Speaks to Joseph - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Fourth Sunday of Advent, we learn about Joseph’s dilemma when he learns that Mary, who he is betrothed to, is expecting a child that is not his. He could have accused Mary of adultery and subjected her to punishment. But he was unwilling to take this step, so he decided to divorce her quietly. However, an Angel appears to Joseph in a dream, and tells Joseph to take Mary as his wife for her pregnancy is an act of God. The angel tells him to name the baby Jesus. Joseph trusting God, makes a choice, and does what the Angel tells him. He takes Mary into his home and names the baby Jesus which means “he will save”.

As the prophet Isaiah said, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel which means “God is with us”. Let us not forget that God is always with us. He is our Savior.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
When has God helped you make a choice when you needed help?

Family Prayer: God, help us make choices that bring us closer to you. Help us to follow your guidance. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

9/18/22 - Parable of the Dishonest Steward - Cycle C

Dear Families,

This Sunday Jesus tells a parable of a steward losing his job after making dishonest choices with a rich man’s money. Then he is praised when he uses an underhanded way to secure his own future. Can we correct our poor choices, and use this parable to be wise and think about securing our future in God’s Kingdom by serving others instead of ourselves?

Jesus continues to teach that those who are honest in small matters will also be honest in large matters. The Lord expects us to use our resources responsibly, and to put them at his service and the service of others. We cannot serve two masters. Jesus clearly teaches that our hearts must be possessed by God’s love. Our hearts are not to be possessed with the love of money. We are to be faithful, honest stewards of the time, money, and possessions that God has given us.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What shows a person is trustworthy? Why does Jesus tell us we cannot serve two masters?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to be honest and faithful in all we do. Amen