COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

6/9/24 - What Is Most Important - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus returns home with his twelve disciples. A crowd has gathered, and he is accused that his miracles were done through the power of the devil. Jesus speaks to them in parables and warns against their denial of the love of God, the forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit. When they tell Jesus that his family is outside, waiting for him, he explains that whoever does the will of God are his brother, sister, and mother.

Jesus teaches us that when we believe in him, we are members of his family. God is our Father, and we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What are some of the things we do as a family. What are some things we do with our Church Family?

Family Prayer: Jesus, thank you for our family and our Church family. Help us be loving and kind to all people. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/16/24 - What is Faith? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells two parables about the kingdom of God. In the first parable, Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like a seed a man scatters and does not know how it grows, but with time the seed sprouts and grows into a harvest. The second parable focuses on a tiny mustard seed, that though tiny grows into a tree with large branches and welcomes many birds.

Both of these parables focus on seeds and how they take time to grow. They teach us that when we scatter the seed of God’s word, we do not know how it grows but we need to scatter the seed. Also, when we plant the tiniest seed of love in our hearts and share it with others it too grows and brings the kingdom of God to others.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Why does Jesus use the seed in these parables to explain the Kingdom of God? What do we learn about the kingdom from the mustard seed parable?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to grow in faith and bring the kingdom of God to others. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/23/24 - Jesus Calms the Storm - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus is in a boat sleeping with his Apostles when a big storm came up and they were afraid they were going to sink. They wake him and ask him if he is not afraid, they will sink. Jesus stops the storm and asks them “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

There are many times and reasons as to why we worry and are afraid. Remember, that whatever storms we face in our lives, when we have faith and trust Jesus his peace will calm our storms.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
When you are afraid, do you remember that Jesus is with you? How can Jesus help you when you are afraid?

Family Prayer: Jesus, increase our trust in you when we are afraid. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/4/23 - The Most Holy Trinity - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This week we return to the liturgical season of Ordinary Times (I like to call it Growing Times). However, the next two Sundays are special days that call our attention to the mysteries of our faith. This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, and we celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Whenever you begin your prayers with the Sign of the Cross, think about the Blessed Trinity. God the Father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is God’s love in the world.

Today’s Gospel of John tells us that “God so loved the world that he gave his Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” God loves us so much that he sent his only Son, Jesus to save the world. Jesus, in turn, sent the Holy Spirit so that our faith in God and his love would be strengthened.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How is God’s great love in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit experienced in our family?

Family Prayer: Lord, we ask you to help us live each day in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/11/23 - Body & Blood of Christ - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday is a very special feast day called Corpus Christi, a Latin word which means “Body of Christ”. In John’s Gospel we hear how Jesus told the crowd that those that eat his flesh and drinks his blood has eternal life. It was difficult then and now to understand, but our faith tells us that each time we go to mass the bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus. At mass listen to the words the priest says as he consecrates the bread and wine. As he elevates the host remember this is now Jesus you are looking at. When we receive the Eucharist, he nourishes our souls and strengthens our faith. Jesus is truly with us; he is the living bread of eternal life.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why do you think Jesus gave us the Eucharist?

Family Prayer: Jesus, you are truly the Bread of Life. Thank you for your loving presence in the Eucharist. Amen.