Services

1/12/25 - Baptism of the Lord - Cycle C

Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Many people in Israel thought John the Baptist was the Messiah. John clears the confusion by explaining he baptizes with water but one mightier than he will baptize with the Holy Spirit. After Jesus was baptized by John, the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove. A voice from Heaven said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each present for this important event. Jesus is not alone when he begins his mission.

Like Jesus, we are God’s beloved sons and daughters. When we are baptized, we are not alone. God is getting us ready for a special mission. At our Baptism we become members of a community that continues Jesus’ work of healing and teaching.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What happens at Baptism?

Family Prayer: Thank you, Lord for making us members of your family through Baptism. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

1/19/25 - Wedding in Cana - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus performs his first miracle. He turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana. Mary observed that the hosts had run out of wine and this could become an embarrassing situation. Mary told Jesus and he said that the time wasn’t ready yet, but Mary told the servers “Do whatever he tells you”. Jesus obeyed Mary and asked the servers to bring six stone jars with water and changes the water into wine. And not just ordinary wine, but the very best. This is the first sign of Jesus glory.

Mary interceded at the wedding celebration and Jesus listened to her request and obeyed. Mary intercedes for us when we ask her to pray for us. She is an example of how presenting our needs and those of others to Jesus we can be confident that he will respond to our prayers in extraordinary ways.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
When we see a need how can we try to help?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to be obedient, just like you were to your mother. Help us see the needs of others. Help us to do what you teach us. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

2/16/25 - Jesus Teaches the Beatitudes - Cycle C

Dear Families,

Jesus tells us, blessed are the poor, hungry, sad, and excluded, but woe to those who are rich, fed, laugh, and are famous. This Sunday’s Gospel turns people’s ideas about being happy upside down, it disrupts our ideas of success. We may think that being rich and full are signs of happiness and success, but they are not. Happiness comes from sharing what we have, comforting people who are sad and laughing with people not at them.

Jesus gives us a list of attitudes and actions that help people find real happiness, called the Beatitudes. He teaches us we are all God’s children, called to belong to God’s family and to care for each other. We are called to welcome and care for the poor, share what we have with them, and comfort people who are sad. These actions that bring people together are important in God’s kingdom.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What is Idolatry? How is the way Jesus teaches us to live different from the way the world often tells us to live?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to desire things that are holy and good. Help us to resist valuing things only because our culture tells us they are important. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

1/5/25 - Epiphany of the Lord

Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. The Gospel tells us about the Magi. They were three wise men from the East that had seen a special star rising up in the sky and traveled to Jerusalem. They asked to meet with King Herod and asked him where was the child who had been born King of the Jews because they wanted to do him homage. Herod was very upset with this question. He was already the King of the Jews. He was upset someone would take away his power. Herod asked the Magi to let him know when they found him because he too wanted to do homage. But secretly he wished to learn his whereabouts so he could kill him.

The Magi followed the star to Bethlehem until it stopped over the place where the Child Jesus was. They bowed to the ground and did homage, and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. During the night they had a dream telling them not to go back to Herod, so they went back to their country taking another road.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What gift can you give Jesus that shows your love for God and others?

Family Prayer: Lord, like the Magi help us to seek and worship you as our King. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

11/3/24 - Jesus' Great Commandment - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In today’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus is questioned by a scribe about which was the first of the ten commandments. Jesus told him that the first is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Second to love others as much as we love ourselves.

Jesus teaches us that love is the commandment that sums up all the others. To love God, we praise God, and thank God. To love our neighbor as we love ourselves, is to treat others as we would like to be treated. When we love the way Jesus teaches, we are showing our love for God and shining the light of God’s love on others.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What do you do with your whole heart, mind or strength? How does love of neighbor reflect love for God?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us not to get caught up in our business and forget to put you first. Amen.