Services
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus’ disciple John said to Jesus. “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus teaches the disciples that they should not be reluctant to share Jesus’ healing powers with others. No one who performs good deeds in his name is against him. God’s love is for everyone. Jesus teaches his disciples that goodness and godliness are qualities to be nurtured in ourselves and in others. No matter our race, age, or social status, Jesus wants us to welcome and accept others as he does.
Jesus also says some things that sounds crazy. Why would he say cut off your hand and foot, pluck your eye out if this causes you to sin? He is saying these things not for us to do it. But so that we can realize that our hand, foot and eye are parts of our bodies that can lead us away from God when they are not used for His glory. Pay special attention to the reflection part of this week’s video. It will explain how this teaching applies to our world today.
As a family watch video in its entirety, it’s important to watch video to ask each other this question.
Am I using my hand, foot, or eye to block my relationship with Jesus?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us to strengthen our weaknesses, and walk in your path.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Parents,
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus meets a man who is sick with leprosy and people stay far, far away from him. When the man pleads with Jesus to heal him so he can be with other people. Jesus sees and hears the man and feels compassion for him. He heals the man. In this Gospel story, we learn that God loves every one of us, even outsiders, even those no one else seems to like. When people found out Jesus could heal, they constantly asked him to do so. He tried to find rest and quiet in the desert, but people followed him there too. Still, he helped many people who needed healing.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions. How do you reach out to people in your area that need help? How can you find the strength to help them?
Family Prayer: Jesus, teach us to see when people are in need, and give us the strength to reach out to them. Amen
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(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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Read more: Fifth Sunday of Easter Cycle B / Quinto Domingo de Pascua Ciclo B (Faith Formation)
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
5/15/22 - The New Commandment - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In the Old Testament, before Jesus came, there were many commandments. Jesus obeyed the commandments, but in this week’s Gospel, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment. He told his disciples to love one another. Jesus wants us to love each other the way he loves us. We must look at how Jesus loves us. He loves us completely and unconditionally. He is ready to forgive any offense. He sacrificed his life for us.
Let us turn to God and let him transform our hearts and free us to love others with compassion and kindness. Show that you are a follower of Jesus by how you love others. .
As a family watch video in its entirety then ask each other these questions.
How does Jesus show his love for you? How can you imitate his love?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to love every member of our family the way you love us. Give us the grace to put each other first and be willing to sacrifice for them. Let us show the world we are your disciples by how we love one another. Amen
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Read more: The New Commandment Cycle C / El Nuevo Mandamiento Ciclo C
(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
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