Services

7/23/23 - Weeds Among the Wheat - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In Matthew’s Gospel of this week, Jesus continues to speak to us in parables. In today’s first parable, Jesus talks about a man who tells his servants to let the weeds grow along with the wheat until harvest time, this way the wheat will not be pulled along with the weeds. The man told them to wait till harvest time. Then they were to burn the weeds and gather the wheat into his barn.

The weeds represent the evil in the world, the wheat the good in the world. Wheat and weeds must grow together until harvest time. Let this serve us as a reminder about the Kingdom of God, and learn that through our actions we must be the wheat in the world, not be judgmental, and bring God’s love and mercy to all. God is merciful, and gives us time to do good actions so that on judgement day we can be gathered into his barn, his Kingdom of Heaven.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What does this parable of the weeds and wheat tell us about God’s judgment and his Kingdom?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to pull the weeds out of our hearts and mind, and become the loving wheat you desire for us to be gathered into your Heavenly Kingdom. Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

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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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

10/15/23 - The Parable of the Wedding Banquet - Cycle A

Dear Families,

If you were invited to a party, would you go? In today’s Gospel of Matthew, guests who were invited to the son of the king's wedding did not come, so the host invited strangers. Every Sunday, we are invited to come to God’s house. Sometimes we may not feel like going or we are too busy, but the feast is ready and God is waiting eagerly for our arrival.

Jesus tells this parable to teach us about being invited to the greatest celebration of all, the gift of the Holy Eucharist at Mass. Some people accept his invitation and some people don’t. When we don’t attend Mass, we are saying no to his invitation to the Kingdom of Heaven.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why is Sunday Mass such an important and special celebration?

Family Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending us an invitation to be a part of your family and come to your celebration every Sunday. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

7/9/23 - King of Peace - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest.” Jesus is telling us that God, Our Father, understands when we are worn out. He knows when we are burdened with problems, are tired at work, at school. He teaches us that when we pray and share our burdens with him, they become lighter.

God wants us to go to him when we need to rest, and open our minds to his wisdom and love. When our hearts rest in God we experience peace. When we experience this peace, it is then shared with love and compassion for others.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Do you go to God when you are troubled?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus in our times of trouble, let us always share our burdens with you. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

11/12/23 - The Wise and Foolish Virgins Parable - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. To understand this parable, we need to know that during Jesus’ time it was a tradition for families and friends to wait for the bridegroom when he came to bring his bride to their new home. And they could be late. The wise virgins were prepared and took extra oil and attended the wedding feast. The foolish ones did not take extra oil and while they went to get more oil the doors were closed and they were not able to attend the wedding feast.

Jesus is teaching how we need to be prepared to enter the Kingdom of Heaven because we do not know when he will return. We prepare for his coming every day through prayer, being good to one another, loving each other, going to mass. Living our faith is the work of a lifetime.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
If Jesus came back today, would you be ready to meet him?

Family Prayer: Jesus, remind us to always be prepared for you, especially each Sunday at Mass. Amen.