Services

4/3/22 - Jesus Refuses to Condemn - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus urges teachers of the law to help people grow rather than condemn them. The teachers bring to Jesus a woman whom they have caught committing a very serious sin. According to the law this sin is punishable by her being stoned to death. Instead of telling them that they should punish her according to the law, Jesus told them that they should only punish her if they themselves had never sinned. They all walked away because they have all sinned. The accused woman had sinned and she was left alone before Jesus. Jesus told the woman, go and do not sin again. He was merciful.

Jesus teaches us to not be mean to people we know have sinned. We should try to be merciful like Jesus, and we should be kind to sinners because we are sinners too.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
When has forgiveness given you a new start? How do you show mercy to others?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to see our faults, before looking at the faults of others. Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

The rich man in this Sunday’s Gospel wants to follow Jesus, but when Jesus tells him he must give up all he owns, he feels sad. It is hard to give up the things we have. Jesus doesn’t want us to hold too tightly to things of the world, but rather desire eternal life with Him in Heaven.

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

What things do you hold onto that might keep you from following Jesus?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to follow you no matter what we must leave behind.

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

11/14/21 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples what will happen at the end of time. The sun and moon will become dark and the stars will fall down from the sky. These are scary things to hear, but then he also says he will return. He tells them that only God the Father knows when this will happen.

This Gospel is a reminder we should be prepared for Jesus’ coming at all times to enter God’s Kingdom. We need to stay close to God and away from sin. Christ will come again.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What can you do to show Jesus he is welcome in your home and heart every day?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us make loving choices every day as we wait for your return. Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

2/5/23 - You're the Salt & Light of the World - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount. He compares our lives to salt and light, things we need and use every day in our daily lives. When we taste food that is not salted it tastes bland, add the right amount of salt and its tastes good. When we enter a dark space and there is no light we cannot see where we are going, turn on the light or a lamp and you can see where you are going.

Jesus wants us to bring the right amount of salt to the earth with the goodness and truth that he gives us. Jesus wants us to be God’s light to the world by being kind and merciful with everyone. Jesus teaches us that we are to be the salt of the earth and the light to the world. We need to share his love with everyone.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why do you think Jesus compares his followers to salt and light?

Family Prayer: Jesus, knowing that you love us makes a big difference in our lives.
Help us show others your love. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

2/13/22 - Jesus teaches the Beatitudes - Cycle C

Dear Families,

Jesus tells us, blessed are the poor, hungry, sad, and excluded, but woe to those who are rich, fed, laugh, and are famous. This Sunday’s Gospel turns people’s ideas about being happy upside down, it disrupts our ideas of success. We may think that being rich and full are signs of happiness and success, but they are not. Happiness comes from sharing what we have, comforting people who are sad and laughing with people not at them.

Jesus gives us a list of attitudes and actions that help people find real happiness, called the Beatitudes. He teaches us we are all God’s children, called to belong to God’s family and to care for each other. We are called to welcome and care for the poor, share what we have with them, and comfort people who are sad. These actions that bring people together are important in God’s kingdom.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What is Idolatry? How is the way Jesus teaches us to live different from the way the world often tells us to live?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to desire things that are holy and good. Help us to resist valuing things only because our culture tells us they are important. Amen