COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

9/17/23 - The Lord's Call to Us - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel, Peter asks Jesus how many times he needs to forgive others. Then Jesus tells the story of the king who forgave someone’s debt and how this person did not forgive the person who owed him. Jesus teaches that we must forgive one another as God has forgiven us.

It is not always easy to forgive someone who hurts you. Jesus tells us that we must forgive, just as God the Father forgives us. When we hurt someone, we should ask for forgiveness right away. When someone asks for our forgiveness, we should not answer, “It’s okay,” but rather say, “I forgive you.” We must forgive one another from the heart.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do we answer Jesus’ call? Are we afraid to answer his call? When others hurt us, do we truly forgive with our hearts?

Family Prayer: Help us Lord to answer your call. And, to offer and ask for forgiveness when we have hurt each other. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

9/24/23 - The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a story of a vineyard owner who went out at different times to find men to work. At the end of the day, he gave each man a whole day’s wages, even though some worked all day and some only worked one hour. He started paying the workers that started working late first and the ones that came in first last. The ones who worked all day complained and were not happy because they all received the same wages. This story is not about wages or fairness.

Jesus is teaching us about God’s love and generosity. It can feel unfair when someone gets paid when they did not work as hard as you did. Jesus says, “The last will be first, and the first will be last.” Some people spend their whole lives working for God, and some people only turn to Him at the last minute. He teaches us that there is room for everyone in his Church and in Heaven.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What is a family activity in which each member does his or her part? When did you want to be first, but did not get to be? Name something positive about putting others first?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, show us how to put others first. Remind us that you love all of us and you want us to love each other. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

10/1/23 - The Parable of the Two Sons - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a parable (story) of two sons whose father asked them to help in the vineyard. The first son said no to his father and then changed his mind and helped. The second son said yes, he would help but he did not. Both sons were asked to help. The difference between the two sons is that the first son that said no disobeyed with his words but obeyed with his action. The second son said yes with his words but disobeyed with his action.

There are times when we are asked to do something and say yes and plan not to do it. Other times we might say no and then realize we need to do it. Jesus teaches us that our actions are as important as our words. When we go to Mass each Sunday, we learn God’s love for us and how to love one another. It is important that our actions match what we learn and say at each Mass and live God’s love through our words and actions in our world.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What makes you say no instead of yes when you are asked to do something? What do you say yes to and do?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to hear what you want us to know and to say yes to you. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

10/8/23 - Bad Tenants and Wild Grapes - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the chief priests and elders a parable about a man who plants a vineyard, and then leased it to tenants. When the owner’s servants go to collect the produce from the tenants, they rebel and kill the servants. Then he sends his son, and they killed him also. The tenants thought they would be able to take the vineyard if the son was dead. When he finishes the parable, he questions the chief priests and elders. He asks, what would they do? And they answered that they would kill the wicked tenants. Jesus is speaking about the failure of Jesus’ own people not accepting him. When God sent His Son Jesus, the leaders were like the tenants. They did not listen or respect him. They killed Jesus on the cross.

Jesus’ parable teaches us to be part of God’s vineyard, the Church. Jesus is asking us to make good choices. Not to be like the bad tenants who were selfish. He is calling us to be a part of God’s kingdom. To be a part of God’s kingdom we need to love, not be selfish, listen to Jesus’ teachings, and be responsible to what we say we will do.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How is God like the owner of the vineyard? How are you responsible at school, home, church, and with other people?

Family Prayer: God our creator, thank you for making us and sharing your wonderful world with us. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

10/15/23 - The Parable of the Wedding Banquet - Cycle A

Dear Families,

If you were invited to a party, would you go? In today’s Gospel of Matthew, guests who were invited to the son of the king's wedding did not come, so the host invited strangers. Every Sunday, we are invited to come to God’s house. Sometimes we may not feel like going or we are too busy, but the feast is ready and God is waiting eagerly for our arrival.

Jesus tells this parable to teach us about being invited to the greatest celebration of all, the gift of the Holy Eucharist at Mass. Some people accept his invitation and some people don’t. When we don’t attend Mass, we are saying no to his invitation to the Kingdom of Heaven.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why is Sunday Mass such an important and special celebration?

Family Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending us an invitation to be a part of your family and come to your celebration every Sunday. Amen.