Services
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10/30/22 - Jesus' Visit Changes Zacchaeus - Cycle C
Dear Families,
In this week’s Gospel, we hear about a tax collector, Zacchaeus. As we learned last week, tax collectors were dishonest and people did not like them. Zacchaeus being short and probably not wanting to be seen climbs onto a tree for a better view of Jesus. Jesus see Zacchaeus, calls him by name and asks that he be invited to stay at his house. People did not approve of Jesus going to a sinner’s house, but Jesus told them that he had come to save the people who were lost in sin, he wants everyone to come to him. Zacchaeus filled with the joy that Jesus was visiting him, changes, and he asks for forgiveness. Jesus shows him love and forgiveness. Zacchaeus promises to help the poor and pay everyone back for what he had stolen. Like Zacchaeus we are sinners. Jesus calls us to recognize our sins and wants us to make things right. He seeks us and wants to forgive us.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How does Zacchaeus change because Jesus becomes his friend and goes to his house? Have you ever felt really bad because of something you did? Do you think there is any sin that Jesus can’t forgive?
Family Prayer: Lord, help me accept you as my friend. Help me make room for you in every area of my life. Amen.
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Read more: Jesus' Visit Changes Zacchaeus Cycle C / La Visita de Jesús Cambia a Zaqueo Ciclo C
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4/16/23 - Believing & Trusting - Cycle A
Dear Families,
Happy Easter! Easter season is a celebration of fifty days, from Easter until Pentecost.
In this Sunday’s Gospel of John, Thomas is not with the Apostles when Jesus appears to them. He is told that Jesus appeared to them but Doubting Thomas does not believe them and states that unless he sees him himself, he will not believe. Jesus appears again and asks Thomas to touch him, and not be unbelieving. Thomas touched him and said “My Lord and my God.” The Lord asks Thomas “Have you come to believe because you see me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Jesus was blessing us when he said these words to Thomas. We are asked to show that we believe in Jesus as our Lord and God. We believe because of the witnessing of all who have gone before us in the faith.
This Sunday is also Divine Mercy Sunday. It is a special day when we remember God’s mercy. When we sin, we offend God, but because he is merciful, he forgives us when we are sorry. Like Thomas the Apostle we need to see and we have our doubts, but God understands us and forgives us. We need to trust that he is always with us and loves us.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do you doubt when you are with believers, or are you a believer who has doubts? Do you trust our Lord and pray for understanding when you have doubts?
Family Prayer: Jesus, I Trust in You!
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Read more: Believing & Trusting Cycle A / Creyendo & Confiando Ciclo A
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11/19/23 - The Parable of the Talents - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us another parable. Jesus tells about a master who went on a journey and trusted three of his servants to take care of large sums of his money (talents). When he came back and asked, two of them used the talents and earned more but one didn’t use it at all. He rewarded the two servants who had used their talents, but he punished the servant who was afraid and had not used his talent.
We learn from Jesus in this parable the importance of using the talents that God has given us. God has given each of us particular skills and abilities and we must not hide them or be afraid to use them. By using the talents God has given us for his glory, we serve God and bring people closer to the Kingdom of Heaven.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What talent has God given you? How can you use it to tell others about Jesus?
Family Prayer: Lord, help us to discover our talents. Show us how you want us to use them. Amen.
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Read more: The Parable of the Talents Cycle A / La Parábola de los Talentos Ciclo A
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
10/22/23 - God and Caesar - Cycle A
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, some religious leaders want to trap Jesus into taking sides on the question of paying Roman taxes. They believe that accepting Roman rule in their country means they are not loyal to God and his rules. Jesus tells them to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. Jesus calls them and us to obey both civil and religious laws, however, we need to examine our allegiances when the two conflict.
We have God’s laws and government laws. Both are for our own good. But we need to remember that what is most important is to love and honor God first.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What allegiance do we owe to God? What allegiance to Caesar?
Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to always remember to keep God first in our lives. Amen.
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
2/26/23 - Jesus Chooses God - Cycle A
Dear Families,
It is the first Sunday of Lent, and in the Gospel the devil tells Jesus to prove that he is the Son of God. Jesus after not eating for forty days resists the temptations of the devil. Jesus quotes God’s words to the devil and chooses not to turn stones to bread, jump off high buildings, or take worldly power.
We learn from Jesus that when we are tempted, we too can resist temptation by knowing the word of God. For example, when the devil told Jesus to turn the stones to bread, Jesus told him that scripture says that people need more than food to live. They also need the words that God speaks. Like Jesus we have the power to choose good. God gave us the free will to make choices.
Lent is a time to grow in holiness. Learn God’s word (Scripture). Do things that will help you think about God every day. It is a time to pray (extra prayers). Give up something you like to eat or do (fasting). Give to others who need our help (almsgiving).
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What does Jesus mean when he says people do not live on bread alone? What are some choices you will make for Lent?
Family Prayer: God, we make difficult choices every day. Help us to make loving, safe, and healthy choices. Amen.
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Read more: Jesus Chooses God Cycle A / Jesús Elige a Dios Ciclo A
