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 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

Over the past weeks, we have heard Jesus teach that he is the Bread of Life, and those who believe in him will have eternal life.

In this week’s Gospel Jesus wanted to share the gift of himself with others, but it seemed scary to many people.  Many people stopped following Jesus because they couldn’t understand what He was teaching.  Jesus asked the 12 are you also going to leave?  Simon Peter said that they knew that He had the words of eternal life, and that they were convinced that Jesus is the Holy One of God.  The Apostles chose to stay with Jesus.

As we grow in our faith, we need to be like the Apostles and choose to follow Jesus even when it is hard, especially when other people don’t follow Him.  We can’t do this without God’s help and the help of the community of faith, our Church.

On Sunday watch as people approach the altar to receive Holy Communion.  They are walking towards the Eucharist.  The “Real Presence” of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.  The Bread of Life.  In Him they will have eternal life.

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

Do you have a hard time understanding what Jesus teaches us?

Family Prayer:  Jesus, help us to believe in you even when it is difficult to understand what you have taught us.  Amen

 

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

12/4/22 - John the Baptist - Cycle A

Dear Families,

 

This is the second week of Advent, and in this week’s Gospel; John the Baptist encourages people to turn to God with their whole hearts.  He baptizes many people who desire a better relationship with God.  John shares that God is sending a holy and mighty person who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

 

We can turn to God with our whole hearts by repenting and turning away from sin.  During this Advent season, reflect on poor choices you have made and ask for God’s forgiveness.  This is how we can prepare our minds and hearts and welcome Jesus at Christmas.

 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What can you do this week to strengthen your relationship with God?

 

Family Prayer:  Thank you, Jesus for welcoming us into your family.  Help us to make choices that bring us closer to you.  Amen.

 

JohnBaptist En

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 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.  The Catholic Church teaches that Mary, who was without sin, was taken, body and soul by God into Heaven.  The Gospel reading recalls Mary’s actions after the announcement of her pregnancy with Jesus by the Angel Gabriel.  The angel told her that her cousin Elizabeth was going to have a baby and Mary immediately leaves to visit her.  In her womb, Mary brings Jesus to her cousin, and they greet each other with joy.  Elizabeth’s baby (John the Baptist) leaps with joy in her womb.  Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the mother of God and greets her saying “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Phrase in Hail Mary).  Mary responds to Elizabeth’s greeting and sings with her song of praise (The Magnificat).  With eyes of faith, they see the power and salvation of God breaking through into their lives and into the world.

Mary’s song of praise reminds us that God is always working for the salvation of the world.  Let us foster a spirit of praise and thanksgiving and bring Jesus to others as Mary brought Jesus to her cousin Elizabeth.

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

How do we praise and thank God for the things that God is doing in our lives and in our world today?

Family Prayer:  Let’s make Mary’s prayer of thanksgiving (Luke1:46-47) our own.

Our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord.  Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior.  Amen

 

mary important en

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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.

inherit en

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 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that from the very beginning of creation God made the union of a woman and a man a blessed and sacred community.  We honor this community in the Sacrament of Matrimony.  We call this community the family.  Jesus teaches us that God’s grace helps a man and a woman honor their commitments to each other.  Continuing with the Gospel, people were bringing children for Jesus to touch them, but the disciples were stopping them.  Jesus saw this and told them to let the children come to Him, and He blessed them.

Jesus loves children and every member of the family.  He calls everyone in the family to follow him, trust God, and depend in Him completely.

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

What are some things that make it difficult to keep promises we have made to each other in our family?

Family Prayer:  Lord, show us how to love each other in our family and keep our promises to each other.  Amen

marriage en

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