Services

4/24/22 - Divine Mercy Sunday - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus appears to his disciples who are afraid and behind locked doors. Jesus greets them with the words “Peace be with you.” Then he breathes on them, imparting the Holy Spirit, and tells them that whose sins they forgive are forgiven. Jesus words to his disciples highlight the Sacrament of Reconciliation and they are empowered to forgive sins in Jesus’ name. Thomas is not present at this appearance of Jesus and does not believe the other disciples unless he sees for himself. Jesus returns, shows Thomas his wounds and Thomas believes.

Today the Second Sunday of Easter is also Divine Mercy Sunday. Mercy means being treated well even though we do not deserve it. When we sin, we may be afraid that God does not forgive us. However, we need to remember to believe that God is merciful and loves us no matter how bad our sins. When we are sorry for our sins God forgives us. Forgiveness and reconciliation are our gifts to us from Jesus.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can we share God’s peace and forgiveness with one another?

Family Prayer: “Jesus, I trust in you!” Thank you for your peace and mercy. Lord, open our hearts and eyes to see the need of peace in each other. Help us share your gift of peace and prayerfully greet each other by saying “May the peace of the Lord be with you.” Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/19/22 - Body and Blood of Christ - Cycle C

Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (the Eucharist, Holy Communion). Just as our bodies are in need of proper nourishment for energy, we also need to feed our spiritual needs. In the Eucharist, God’s grace makes us strong and feeds us with God’s love.

Today’s Gospel tells us about Jesus’ miracle and how He provided food to a very large crowd, five thousand with only five loaves of bread and two fish. They even had leftovers, twelve baskets!

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions regarding the Gospel.
What does Jesus tell the disciples to do? What do we learn about Jesus from this story?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, you feed us with your Body and Blood. You fed the hungry crowds. Open our eyes and hearts to the needs of others. Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

5/22/22 - Jesus Promises to Send the Holy Spirit - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus promises his disciples that he will send the Holy Spirit after he was gone. They would never be alone; the Holy Spirit would teach them. God the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, would come to them and guide them in what they needed to do to continue his teachings.

Jesus’ promise is still with us today. The Holy Spirit is always working with us. He inspires all of us to do what is right, learn the truth, and share our faith. He is the perfect teacher and knows what we need to learn and the best way to teach it to us.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What is the Holy Spirit teaching you? How does the Holy Spirit teach you?

Family Prayer: Come Holy Spirit, help us to learn what God needs us to know. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

1/9/22 - Baptism of the Lord- Cycle C

Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Many people in Israel thought John the Baptist was the Messiah. John clears the confusion by explaining he baptizes with water but one mightier than he will baptize with the Holy Spirit. After Jesus was baptized by John, the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove. A voice from Heaven said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each present for this important event. Jesus is not alone when he begins his mission.

Like Jesus, we are God’s beloved sons and daughters. When we are baptized, we are not alone. God is getting us ready for a special mission. At our Baptism we become members of a community that continues Jesus’ work of healing and teaching.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What difference does being baptized make in the choices you make?

Family Prayer: Thank you, Lord for making us members of your family through Baptism. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

7/3/22 - The Cross and a New Creation - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s second reading Saint Paul writes to the Galatians and tells them that he may never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Christians of Galatia were confused because some preachers were telling them that to be Christians they first had to convert to Judaism and follow the entire Jewish law. St. Paul speaks of the cross and a new creation. What does he mean? Watch video and find out.

In the Gospel, Jesus sends 72 disciples to tell the people in the towns that He is coming. He says to them that the harvest is abundant but laborers are few. We the followers of Jesus need to be laborers in the fields, sowing the words of God to bring people back to God. The more laborers there are, the more plentiful the harvest.

As a family watch video in its entirety then ask each other these questions?
What does Paul mean when he speaks about a new creation? Are you a laborer of the harvest? What do you need to do to become a laborer in the harvest?

Family Prayer: Lord, by your cross and resurrection we are a new creation, help us be laborers for your kingdom. Help us bring your peace and mercy to the world. Amen