Services

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.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

7/7/24 - What is a Prophet? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Last Sunday, we saw Jesus perform great miracles because of faith. This Sunday is quite different. People in Jesus’ hometown could not see who he really was. They only recognized the person they remembered from when he was younger. Because of their lack of faith, he did not perform any miracles.

Listen carefully to the Gospel, and consider whether you struggle to believe Jesus could do miracles.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why did the people in Jesus’ hometown have trouble seeing him as the Messiah and doubted he could do miracles?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, it is normal to doubt things sometimes. Please help us to look past our doubt and trust in you for everything. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/28/24 - The Vine and the Branches - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Happy Easter!

This fifth Sunday of Easter, Jesus tells us he is the vine we are the branches. Jesus uses this parable to explain how branches grow out from a vine and receive their food from the main stem. The gardener prunes and tends the garden so it will grow and bear fruit.

Jesus teaches us that we can only grow in faith and do the right things if we stay close to him. Jesus will correct and guide us, just as the gardener prunes and tends a garden so it will grow strong.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can you stay connected to Jesus, like branches are connected to a vine?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us find ways to stay close to you so we can grow in faith and love. Amen.

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(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.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

3/10/24 - The Desert of Lent - Cycle B

Dear Families,

As a faithful community, we continue the journey of reading the Cycle A readings at the 9:00AM and 11:00AM mass with the adults who will be receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Last Sunday Jesus revealed himself to the Samaritan woman at the well and his living water. This Sunday Jesus heals the man born blind and reveals himself to him as the Son of Man.

This video is based on the Gospel of John, Cycle B. Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up so that those who believe in Him will have eternal life.” “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life”.

God so loved the world that he sent his only Son to reveal his love for us and to save us. In Jesus’ words and actions, we see God’s love and forgiveness. Jesus is a light in the darkness. Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus teaches us that love means showing others the love God has shown us in sending Him. Jesus helps us avoid the darkness of sin; Jesus is our light.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What light does Jesus give our world? How can you reflect the light of Christ to others?

Family Prayer: Lord, keep us close to the light of Christ and help us avoid the darkness of sin. Amen.