Services

Dear Parents,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells his followers that unless a grain of wheat is planted into the ground the seed remains just a single grain. But, when a grain of seed falls to the ground and dies, the seed produces many other grains of wheat. It produces a harvest.

Jesus compares himself to a grain of wheat that needs to die. In his death and resurrection Jesus gives his life on the Cross. This sacrifice brings salvation to all his people and offers us the promise of eternal life.

When we become the seed for others, we join with Jesus in a process that transforms our lives and the world.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.

Planting seeds means doing positive things. What seeds have you planted this week?

How can you be like a seed and help increase faith in others?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to put you first, seek your will, and help others grow in faith. Amen

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Parents,

This Second Sunday of Easter is about faith and divine mercy. Last week Jesus was resurrected. The Apostles were scared and confused. This week we hear how they were hiding behind locked doors when Jesus appeared and said "Peace be with you.” He wanted them to be at peace. He loved them; he would always be there for them. Thomas one of the apostles was not there when Jesus appeared, and he did not believe the apostles when they told him Jesus had appeared. Jesus came back a week later and doubting Thomas was there and Jesus showed him his wounds. Jesus asked him to touch his wounds. Then he said to doubting Thomas “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?” “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question:

What doubts or questions about God are you struggling with?

This Sunday is also the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. On this day we thank God for His forgiveness and love. We know how much he loves us because he suffered and died for us. It is the mercy of God that lets all of us come back to Him after we have sinned.

Family Prayer: Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. Amen

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Parents,

In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus tells us He is the vine and we are the branches. He explains 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 a gardener prunes and tends a garden so it will grow strong.

Jesus calls us to grow good fruit with our lives. We grow fruits of love, kindness, patience, and goodness when we stay connected to Jesus. We do this by listening to Jesus’ teachings, following his example, and praying.

As a family, watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:

How can you stay connected to Jesus, like branches are connected to a vine?

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

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Parents,

This Sunday is called Good Shepherd Sunday because Jesus tells His friends that He is the Good Shepherd who will lay down His life for His sheep. He explains that a hired shepherd runs away when a wolf comes. A hired shepherd only wants to be paid. Jesus says, “I know my sheep, and they know me.” He tells us that we belong to Him and He will lay down His life for us. Jesus reminds us how important we are to Him, so important that He died and rose so we can go to Heaven someday.

This week our video is a reflection on the First Reading and the Gospel. As a family, watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions: How is Jesus like a good shepherd? How are you like a good shepherd?

Family Prayer: Teach us Lord, to hear your voice and answer you. Amen

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The season of Easter ends with today’s celebration, Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus Ascended into heaven, he promised to send the Holy Spirit, and he kept his promise.

This Sunday, the story of Pentecost is found in the first reading of Acts of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit descends upon the Apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit comes like wind because it is God’s life breathed into us and fire because it gives us light to show us God’s ways. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand who God is and enables us to be his witness to share his love throughout the world.

As a family, watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:

How is the Holy Spirit light and strength in your life?

Family Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for the gift of Pentecost and for new life in the Holy Spirit. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my heart ablaze with the fire of your love that I may serve you in joy and freedom.