St Annes Church RAFFLE 24 banner

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/11/23 - Body & Blood of Christ - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday is a very special feast day called Corpus Christi, a Latin word which means “Body of Christ”.  In John’s Gospel we hear how Jesus told the crowd that those that eat his flesh and drinks his blood has eternal life.  It was difficult then and now to understand, but our faith tells us that each time we go to mass the bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus.  At mass listen to the words the priest says as he consecrates the bread and wine.  As he elevates the host remember this is now Jesus you are looking at.  When we receive the Eucharist, he nourishes our souls and strengthens our faith.  Jesus is truly with us; he is the living bread of eternal life.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why do you think Jesus gave us the Eucharist?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, you are truly the Bread of Life.  Thank you for your loving presence in the Eucharist.  Amen.

 

 

CorpusChristi En

 Click Photo

 


(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

7/30/23 - The Kingdom of Heaven is Our Treasure - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches us about the Kingdom of Heaven.  He says the Kingdom of Heaven is like a buried treasure that a man finds and sells everything he has and buys the field where it is buried.  He also says, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a rare pearl that costs a lot of money, and when a merchant finds it sells all he has and buys it.  These parables can help us realize that Jesus gave up his life because we are his treasure.

 

Belonging to God’s Kingdom should be more important than anything else in our lives.  The Kingdom of Heaven is our treasure.  Listening to the first reading, like King Solomon, let’s ask God to give us the wisdom to have an understanding heart to know how to serve others, and to distinguish right from wrong.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can we as a family help each other enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, help us never to lose sight that living with you in the Kingdom of Heaven is our real treasure.  Amen.

 

 

Solomon Wisdom En

 Click Photo

 


(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.

 

 

Pentacost En

 Click Photo

 


(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/4/23 - The Most Holy Trinity - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This week we return to the liturgical season of Ordinary Times (I like to call it Growing Times).  However, the next two Sundays are special days that call our attention to the mysteries of our faith.  This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, and we celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity.  Whenever you begin your prayers with the Sign of the Cross, think about the Blessed Trinity.  God the Father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit.  The Trinity is God’s love in the world.

 

Today’s Gospel of John tells us that “God so loved the world that he gave his Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”  God loves us so much that he sent his only Son, Jesus to save the world.  Jesus, in turn, sent the Holy Spirit so that our faith in God and his love would be strengthened.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How is God’s great love in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit experienced in our family?

 

Family Prayer:  Lord, we ask you to help us live each day in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

 

WhatisTrinity En

 Click Photo

 


(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/18/23 - Jesus Calls Us to Bring in the Harvest - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus chooses twelve apostles to continue his ministry.  He explains that there is a big harvest and few laborers.  Jesus is not speaking about fruits or vegetables; he was sending them out to bring his ministry of love and healing to people.

 

Many laborers are needed out in the field.  Jesus calls all of us to bring his love to our families, neighbors, schools, and work.  We need to understand that there are still many people suffering and need healing.  Don’t be scared to do Jesus’ work.  When you are a good example to others, and show kindness, you are doing his work.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can you bring Jesus’ healing love to others?

 

Family Prayer:  Jesus, help us be faithful workers by sharing with others your healing love.  Amen.

 

 

Harvest En

 Click Photo