Services

10/8/23 - Bad Tenants and Wild Grapes - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the chief priests and elders a parable about a man who plants a vineyard, and then leased it to tenants. When the owner’s servants go to collect the produce from the tenants, they rebel and kill the servants. Then he sends his son, and they killed him also. The tenants thought they would be able to take the vineyard if the son was dead. When he finishes the parable, he questions the chief priests and elders. He asks, what would they do? And they answered that they would kill the wicked tenants. Jesus is speaking about the failure of Jesus’ own people not accepting him. When God sent His Son Jesus, the leaders were like the tenants. They did not listen or respect him. They killed Jesus on the cross.

Jesus’ parable teaches us to be part of God’s vineyard, the Church. Jesus is asking us to make good choices. Not to be like the bad tenants who were selfish. He is calling us to be a part of God’s kingdom. To be a part of God’s kingdom we need to love, not be selfish, listen to Jesus’ teachings, and be responsible to what we say we will do.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How is God like the owner of the vineyard? How are you responsible at school, home, church, and with other people?

Family Prayer: God our creator, thank you for making us and sharing your wonderful world with us. 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.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

12/17/23 - Christ in Our Hearts - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear how John the Baptist answered when he was asked if he was the Messiah. He told them that as Isaiah had said, he was the voice of the one crying out in the desert, making straight the way of the Lord. John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus coming. John said he was baptizing with water and someone that they did not recognize would baptize them with the Holy Spirit.

Like John the Baptist we are called to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus and be the voice of faith proclaiming Jesus to the world. In this third Sunday of Advent, as we light the pink candle of Joy, let us rejoice and remember that “Emmanuel” God is with us. Share this joy.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Who are the people in word and action that have taught you about Jesus?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, show us how to teach others about you. Help us to be voices of faith. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/14/24 - What does the Resurrection mean for us? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Happy Easter!

On this Third Sunday of Easter, we hear in Luke’s Gospel how Jesus again appears to his disciples. They are afraid, and he greets them “Peace be with you.” He asks them to touch his wounds and give him something to eat. Jesus is risen and still has his human body. He is Risen and is fully human and fully divine. After they ate, Jesus gives the disciples a mission, to tell others about his Life, Death, and Resurrection and His message of God’s love and forgiveness.

As disciples of Jesus, we also are invited to eat at his table and receive the Eucharist, share scriptures, and announce the Good News of Jesus’ message of God’s love and forgiveness of sins. We are to be witnesses of what we have experienced with him.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can I be a witness of God’s love to others?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us bring the Good News of your Resurrection to our family, friends, and neighbors. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

9/3/23 - God Forbid! - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In last week’s Gospel, Peter tells Jesus he is the son of the living God. This week Peter tells Jesus God forbid he shall suffer when he hears Jesus predict his death. Jesus who had just given Peter authority in the Church, scolds Peter for his lack of trust. Even someone as important as Peter needs to be corrected. Peter would learn that if he wanted to be like Jesus, he would have to trust Jesus, pick up his cross, and follow him.

Jesus never said it would be easy to follow him. Sometimes it is easy to be a disciple of Jesus. Other times it is difficult to follow Jesus. During difficult times we need to trust Jesus. Faithful disciples are called to sacrifice and serve others as Jesus did.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Have you ever behaved like Peter and been an obstacle to others in their following Jesus? How does God use others to correct you or teach you?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to think of others before ourselves. With God’s love, let our little crosses of each day be offered up to you for the love of others. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.