Services
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus uses two parables to tell us about the Kingdom of God. In the first parable, the seeds planted grew into a healthy crop of grain, but it took many days and nights. In the second parable, the mustard seed which is the size of a teeny dot on a sheet of paper grows into a tree. Both these parables focus on seeds. Seeds sown take time to grow. When things take a long time to happen, we have to be patient and have faith. When we learn about our faith and practice it well, it will grow so that everyone will see its effect in our lives. We must sow seeds by spreading his words.
God wants us to know that if we live as Jesus tells us, we can look forward to happiness with God in the Kingdom of Heaven.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:
What actions start small but can grow into larger things?
(Good: kindness, love, forgiveness)
(Bad: anger, not forgiving, judgment)
Family Prayer: Jesus help us to grow in faith, love, positive attitude, and kindness. Amen
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel the people follow Jesus because He had given them bread. Jesus teaches them that what they really needed was not just food, but the food that God would give them. That food is Jesus Himself, the Bread of Life! When we celebrate Holy Communion, we receive Jesus Himself. Let’s remember that He is the Bread of Life. God provides for all our physical and spiritual needs.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions.
Why does Jesus tell us that if we eat the bread he gives us, we will never be hungry? What does this mean?
Family Prayer: Lord, you gave us everything you had: Your life, your Body and your Blood. Teach us to give everything we have to you. Amen
(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
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,
This Sunday’s Gospel begins with the Jews complaining because they could not understand what Jesus meant when he said that he was the bread of life that came down from heaven. They knew he was Joseph’s and Mary’s son. Jesus hears them and responds by talking about his unity with God the Father. He repeats “I am the Bread of Life.” He teaches that the bread of life will be his own flesh, given for the life of the world.
Today’s Gospel focuses our attention on our faith in Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist. Jesus is the Bread of Life. He gives us his Body and Blood as bread so that we may have eternal life. Jesus promises us the gift of eternal life in the Eucharist.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
What does Jesus say a person must do to know him well.
Family Prayer: Jesus, it is hard to believe what we cannot see. Help us to have faith in you and your promise that the Eucharist is really you. Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Amen
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel, the Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples because they didn’t follow observations of the cleaning of hands, purifying themselves before they ate and other traditions. They believed that by their actions alone they were making themselves holy. Jesus taught the Pharisees who questioned him, that we do not make ourselves holy by just our actions. Rather, we become holy when we allow God’s Spirit to transform our hearts.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
How do you honor Jesus with your lips and your heart?
Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to be true in our faith and love for you. Let our hearts and our actions reflect that love. Amen