Services

3/24/24 - Palm Sunday and the Passion

Dear Families,

This week is Palm/Passion Sunday. When we participate in the reading of the Passion, it is hard to say the words, “Crucify him.” It reminds us that we all choose to sin and that Jesus loves us anyway. He loves us so much that he died and rose for us and our salvation.

In Church focus on the Passion of Jesus during the Mass. Follow along carefully and say the crowd responses strongly. Consider what it would have been like to be there when Jesus was crucified.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
When have you gone along with the crowd, even when you knew it was not the right thing to do?

Family Prayer: Jesus, we want to choose you. Show us how to do what is right, even when others want us to do what is wrong. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

2/18/24 - Plans and Promises - Cycle B

Dear Families,

On this First Sunday of Lent, Mark’s Gospel tells us that the Spirit drove Jesus into the desert for 40 days. Jesus was tempted by the devil. Jesus was not alone in the desert. Jesus was among wild beasts and the angels ministered to him. We also learn that after John the Baptist was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God proclaiming “The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

Ash Wednesday was the beginning of Lent. When we received our ashes on our foreheads, we heard the words “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” As we begin this first week of Lent, let’s read the scriptures which will help us understand the joy of God’s love for us. How He is there for us when we are tempted to do something wrong. When we turn to the Gospels, it gives us the strength to pray, fast, and give to others. Let’s repent of our sins, and know that God is there to help us. Like Jesus teaches us, let’s proclaim to others through our actions that the “Kingdom of God is at hand.”

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What is Jesus asking when he says to repent and believe in the Good News?

Family Prayer: Holy Spirit, help us to make good choices that are pleasing to God. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

3/31/24 - Easter Sunday

Dear Families,

Happy Easter! In today’s Gospel we learn that Mary Magdalene is the first person to arrive at the tomb and finds it empty. She runs and tells two disciples. When Simon Peter and the other disciple arrived at the tomb, they too see that it is empty.

Today we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection. Alleluia! Jesus Christ is risen! Alleluia!

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How might I share my belief in Jesus’ Resurrection with others?

Family Prayer: Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

1/21/24 - Jonah, Jesus, and the New World - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus calls four fishermen to leave their boats and follow him. Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John immediately leave their boats and follow him. They become Jesus’ first disciples and gave their whole lives to spreading the Good News of Jesus and the message of God’s love.

Like the disciples we are all called to follow Jesus. Jesus invites all of us to follow him immediately. When we are called to share the message of God’s love with someone, we are not to hesitate.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What would you have to leave behind to follow Jesus?

Family Prayer: Jesus, thank you for loving us and for choosing us to be your followers. Help us to listen to you and follow you. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

2/11/24 - Be Made Clean! - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, we hear how Jesus was approached by a man who had leprosy. The man asked Jesus to heal his leprosy. Leprosy was a horrible contagious disease that had no cure, and during Jesus’ time lepers were not allowed to have contact with people who did not have the disease. Jesus in his compassion touched and healed the leper. He told the man not to tell anyone, but the man told everyone what had happened. When people found out Jesus could heal, he was constantly followed by people who wanted to be healed. He tried rest and quiet in the desert, but people followed him there also. Still, he helped many people who came to him to be healed.

The Gospel story tells us that God loves every one of us, even outsiders, even those no one else seems to like. Like Jesus we need to choose to love and help others.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
To whom does Jesus reach out? To whom can you reach out?

Family Prayer: Jesus, teach us to see when people are in need and reach out to them. Amen.