Services
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Parents,
This Sunday, called Palm/Passion Sunday is the first day of Holy Week. During Holy Week we follow the last days of Jesus’ life on earth. Listening to the Gospel readings we hear how Jesus came into Jerusalem, people waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna!” We remember Jesus’s Last Supper with his Apostles, how he is arrested and put to death on the cross. When Jesus died on the cross, they put a sign above him that said “King of the Jews”. Most people misunderstood who Jesus was, but the soldier who watched him die said “This man truly was the Son of God!”.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
As a family, how will we reflect on the events of Jesus’ passion and death?
Family Prayer: Christ Jesus, your love is made visible through the mystery of your death and resurrection. Transform us into people of mercy to embrace you in those who are suffering in our midst. We ask this, as a people reconciled to God through the blood of your cross. Amen
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Read more: Palm/Pasión Sunday ̶ ̶ Domingo de Ramos/la Pasión del Señor (Faith Formation)
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is walking with his disciples through Galilee. Jesus tells his disciples that there will be conflict. He explains that he will suffer, die and rise. The disciples don’t want to think about what he is saying, they are afraid to ask questions. Instead, they argue about which one of them is the greatest. Jesus knew what they were talking about, so he tells them that if they want to be first, they must be humble and serve others.
Arguments as the disciples had in this Sunday’s Gospel are common in family life. Ever had this argument? I want to be first. I did the dishes yesterday; someone else should do it today. Why did she/he get chosen and I did not? All of us need to be reminded that to be great in God’s Kingdom is to be the servant of all.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
How do you serve others?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us to see you when we see people in need.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tries to explain that he will die and rise again three days later. This frightens the Apostles.
Peter doesn’t want Jesus to say these things. Jesus (who just gave Peter authority in the Church) scolds Peter for his lack of trust.
Even someone as important as Peter needs correction at times.
As a family, watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How does God use others to correct you or teach you?
Family Prayer: Jesus, you always know the right path for us.
Help us to trust that you will help us find our way. Amen
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
Last Sunday, we saw Jesus perform great miracles moved by the faith of people. The raising of Jairus’ daughter and the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage. 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 many miracles.
As a family watch video in its entirety and 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)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am”, and Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus then tells his disciples something they may not have wanted to hear. That he was going to suffer and die. Peter objects to what Jesus has said. Jesus tells Peter you don’t understand you are not thinking as God does, but as human beings do. Like Peter we too may not understand. We also may have ideas about what we think God should be doing in our world. We risk limiting God’s plan by thinking only in human ways. God’s plans are always more than we can ever imagine. Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and is Risen!
As followers of Jesus, we need to take up our cross and follow him. Jesus gave everything for us, and he wants us to love him and trust him with our whole hearts. Jesus wants us to offer our lives in service to others. As James tells us in today’s Second Reading, we can’t just say we have faith. We need to show our faith by works of love.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
What does Jesus mean when he says we must take up our cross and follow him?
Family Prayer: Jesus, teach us to believe in you and trust in you completely, even when it seems difficult. Amen
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