Services

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

Dear Families,

Thursday, May 18^th 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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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

9/10/23 - Is Judging Wrong - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we learn how Jesus knew that disagreements would happen. Even when we love and care for our friends and family members, we have disagreements. Jesus teaches us that when we disagree with someone, we should speak to them first. If that person isn’t willing to listen and solve the disagreement we might need to ask for help from other people.

When you have a problem with another person, pray to Jesus. Pray that he will help you be calm, listen to the other person, and bring peace to the situation.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How do you handle disagreements? What can you learn from Jesus’s teaching on how to handle disagreements?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us have loving and forgiving hearts so that we may always live in good relationships with others. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

8/6/23 - The Transfiguration - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus travels up a mountain with Peter, James and John. Jesus is transfigured and his face becomes as dazzling as the sun; his clothes radiate bright light. Moses and Elijah also appeared and were speaking with Jesus. It is a vision of Jesus’ divinity shining through his humanity. This vision was so beautiful that Peter wanted to stay and build three tents; one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. All of a sudden Peter, James and John hear a voice from the cloud that tells them “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” They are so scared that they fall to the ground. But Jesus comes to them and tells them not to be afraid. Jesus gives them an order. Don’t tell anyone about this vision until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.

This vision of Jesus transfigured in glory tells all of us to remember Jesus’ risen, shining self. Jesus calls us to shine like him, now and forever. As beloved sons and daughters of God we need to listen to Jesus.

As a family watch video on the Transfiguration, and then ask each other this question.
What are some of the things affirmed about Jesus in the Transfiguration?

Family Prayer: God, we know that Jesus is your beloved Son. Help us to listen to him. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

10/1/23 - The Parable of the Two Sons - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a parable (story) of two sons whose father asked them to help in the vineyard. The first son said no to his father and then changed his mind and helped. The second son said yes, he would help but he did not. Both sons were asked to help. The difference between the two sons is that the first son that said no disobeyed with his words but obeyed with his action. The second son said yes with his words but disobeyed with his action.

There are times when we are asked to do something and say yes and plan not to do it. Other times we might say no and then realize we need to do it. Jesus teaches us that our actions are as important as our words. When we go to Mass each Sunday, we learn God’s love for us and how to love one another. It is important that our actions match what we learn and say at each Mass and live God’s love through our words and actions in our world.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What makes you say no instead of yes when you are asked to do something? What do you say yes to and do?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to hear what you want us to know and to say yes to you. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

8/20/23 - God's Love Is For Everyone - Cycle A

Dear Families,

Sunday’s Gospel is often misunderstood. Jesus is not saying the Canaanite woman is a dog; he is trying to explain to her that she is not a person who was raised in faith. The woman believes Jesus can cure her daughter, she is persistent and continues to ask. Jesus sees her faith and cures her daughter.

Like the woman, let’s bring our needs to God in prayer with confidence and faith. Like Jesus, let us be merciful and kind to everyone who is ignored and considered an outsider.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How does the Canaanite woman show her faith? How can we have faith like hers? What does Jesus teach us?

Family Prayer: Jesus, sometimes it can feel as though you cannot hear us. Help us to keep asking for help and be patient, knowing you will answer our prayers at the right time. Amen.