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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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6/25/23 - Do Not Be Afraid - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his twelve apostles to not be afraid.  Do not be worried.  They would be challenged by the world because of their belief, but He assures them that God knows, loves, and protects them.  God their Father even knows how many hairs they have on their heads.

 

What Jesus says to his Apostles reminds us that we should always remember how much God knows, loves, and protects us.  He knows us and sees even little things we might fear or worry about.  We don’t need to live in fear, because God our Father is always with us.  Do not be afraid.  Share God’s love and care with those around you.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do you share God’s love with others?  What do you hear in this Gospel when you are afraid to share God’s love with others?

 

Family Prayer:  Dear Lord, help us to not be afraid to spread the message of God’s love to others.  Amen.

 

 

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7/2/23 - Jesus Our Priority - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew sounds confusing.  We are to love Jesus more than our parents, and children or else we are not worthy of his love.  The word to look at is more, Jesus is asking us to place our love for him above all others, not instead of others.  Remember that our families are gifts from God.  God gave our families to us because he is the giver of every good gift.  Jesus knows that it is not easy to follow him, he tells us that we are to give his love to others without expecting anything in return.  The way to do this is by putting his love in our hearts first and follow him.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do we love someone more than Jesus, and choose not to follow Jesus?  Are we dead to sins and alive with God?

 

Family Prayer:  God, thank you for the gift of family.  Help us choose you first so that we may receive the grace to share your love, peace and kindness with one another.  Amen.

 

 

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3/26/23 - Jesus Raises Lazarus - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Fifth Sunday of Lent Jesus hears that his friend Lazarus is very sick, and when he returns to see Lazarus he has been dead for four days.  His sisters Mary and Martha are very sad and Martha asks him why didn’t he come sooner?  He could have healed Lazarus.  Jesus said to Martha your brother will rise again.  Yes, on the last day she replies.  Do you believe that people who believe in me die, but that I give them life forever?  She replies that he is God’s son.  Jesus asks where he was buried and when he sees the tomb he weeps with the others.  Jesus asks that the stone on the tomb be moved.  He prays and commands Lazarus to come out from the tomb.  He raises Lazarus from the dead.  News of Jesus’ raising Lazarus travels fast.  Many people come to believe in him, but many others are questioning his miracles and actions.

 

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he shows us his power over death.  We believe that by Jesus’ death and Resurrection, he conquered death and won eternal life for us.  Our faith calls us to be like Martha and Mary, and believe that Jesus is the Resurrection and eternal life.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Why do you think Jesus wept?  When someone loses a loved one, how can you comfort them in their sorrow?  Do you ever think of Jesus weeping with you when you are sad?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus you are the Resurrection and the life.  Help us to live a life of compassion and trust.  Amen.

 

 

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

Dear Families,

Thursday, May 18th 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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