Services

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)

3/20/22 - Parable of the Fig Tree - Cycle C

Dear Families,

This Sunday, Jesus tells us about a fig tree. In Jesus’ country, a fig tree is as common as an apple tree is to us. Many people grew fig trees and looked forward to eating the figs. The fig tree in Jesus’ parable isn’t producing figs. What to do? Cut it down? The gardener gives the tree another chance and says he will add more fertilizer and give the tree more care. Jesus wants us to see God is like the gardener who wants to care for us and give us another chance. The Gospel calls us to turn toward God and be fruitful by showing love for one another.

Lent is a good time to pray and understand that we must turn from bad things and practice doing good things. Our deeds are our fruit.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can you bear good fruit with your life?

Family Prayer: Lord, increase your love in us so that we may increase the fruits of your love. Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

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)

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