Services
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
Sunday’s Gospel tells us that Jesus performed miracles. He cured the sick and even raised the dead. In each case he was moved by the faith of the people who requested the miracle. We don’t think of ourselves as being in need of healing, but we all need healing in different ways. We are human and we have physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs and perhaps need a bit of healing every single day. Jesus wants us to ask him when we need help and to ask with faith.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:
What does it mean to ask Jesus for something with faith?
Family Prayer: Jesus, please help us to have faith. Teach us to ask for what we need with faith. Amen
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s readings we hear about two widows. A widow is a woman whose husband has died. In the first reading we hear about a widow who was asked to give away all the food she had, and she was blessed with enough flour and oil to supply her and her son for a year. In the Gospel reading Jesus points out to his disciples a poor widow who puts in two small coins in the Temple treasury. He sees the generosity of the poor widow. Her small coins required a greater sacrifice than the large amounts the rich were giving. Both widows gave the last and the best of what they had.
When we understand that everything we have comes from God, we are then ready to give everything to him. By giving away the best of ourselves and what we have, our faith and love for one another grows. We learn that we need to thank and trust God for all he has given us.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
When you give, do you give everything you have or only what you have left over?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us see what we are withholding from you. Give us the strength to be generous and not ask for anything in return. Amen
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Read more: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time / Domingo 32 de Tiempo Ordinario Ciclo B (Faith Formation)
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In Sunday’s Gospel, we hear of a great storm. Jesus is on a boat with his disciples and has fallen asleep. His disciples are afraid of the storm and they wake up Jesus. Jesus wakes up and orders the wind and sea to calm down. Jesus asks his disciples: “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
We all face personal storms of fear, anger, loneliness, rejection, loss of a loved ones. We can share our worries and concerns with Jesus. When we bring our worries to Jesus in prayer, he can help us see our worries from a different perspective. He can help us face our worries with faith in God’s love and protection.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions:
When you are afraid, do you remember that Jesus is with you?
How can Jesus help you when you are afraid?
Family Prayer: Jesus, increase our trust in you especially when we are afraid. Help us to trust that you will help us at all times. Amen.
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(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,
This Sunday we celebrate the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. The Catholic Church teaches that Mary, who was without sin, was taken, body and soul by God into Heaven. The Gospel reading recalls Mary’s actions after the announcement of her pregnancy with Jesus by the Angel Gabriel. The angel told her that her cousin Elizabeth was going to have a baby and Mary immediately leaves to visit her. In her womb, Mary brings Jesus to her cousin, and they greet each other with joy. Elizabeth’s baby (John the Baptist) leaps with joy in her womb. Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the mother of God and greets her saying “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Phrase in Hail Mary). Mary responds to Elizabeth’s greeting and sings with her song of praise (The Magnificat). With eyes of faith, they see the power and salvation of God breaking through into their lives and into the world.
Mary’s song of praise reminds us that God is always working for the salvation of the world. Let us foster a spirit of praise and thanksgiving and bring Jesus to others as Mary brought Jesus to her cousin Elizabeth.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
How do we praise and thank God for the things that God is doing in our lives and in our world today?
Family Prayer: Let’s make Mary’s prayer of thanksgiving (Luke1:46-47) our own.
Our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior. Amen
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