COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

7/23/23 - Weeds Among the Wheat - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In Matthew’s Gospel of this week, Jesus continues to speak to us in parables. In today’s first parable, Jesus talks about a man who tells his servants to let the weeds grow along with the wheat until harvest time, this way the wheat will not be pulled along with the weeds. The man told them to wait till harvest time. Then they were to burn the weeds and gather the wheat into his barn.

The weeds represent the evil in the world, the wheat the good in the world. Wheat and weeds must grow together until harvest time. Let this serve us as a reminder about the Kingdom of God, and learn that through our actions we must be the wheat in the world, not be judgmental, and bring God’s love and mercy to all. God is merciful, and gives us time to do good actions so that on judgement day we can be gathered into his barn, his Kingdom of Heaven.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What does this parable of the weeds and wheat tell us about God’s judgment and his Kingdom?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us to pull the weeds out of our hearts and mind, and become the loving wheat you desire for us to be gathered into your Heavenly Kingdom. Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

12/17/23 - Christ in Our Hearts - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear how John the Baptist answered when he was asked if he was the Messiah. He told them that as Isaiah had said, he was the voice of the one crying out in the desert, making straight the way of the Lord. John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus coming. John said he was baptizing with water and someone that they did not recognize would baptize them with the Holy Spirit.

Like John the Baptist we are called to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus and be the voice of faith proclaiming Jesus to the world. In this third Sunday of Advent, as we light the pink candle of Joy, let us rejoice and remember that “Emmanuel” God is with us. Share this joy.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Who are the people in word and action that have taught you about Jesus?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, show us how to teach others about you. Help us to be voices of faith. Amen.

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(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.

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(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.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

12/15/24 - Rejoice

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, John the Baptist’s preaching raises people’s hopes. They wanted to hear truth and change for the better. John helps people to see how they should act toward others in order to be ready for God’s coming. They can share food and clothing. The tax collectors can collect only what people owe and with fairness. The soldiers can treat people with respect.

The people wondered if John was the Messiah, but he told them that he only baptized with water, but soon one mightier than him would baptize them with the Holy Spirit.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
In what ways should we act with mercy according to the words of John the Baptist?

Family Prayer: Holy Spirit, you move us and help us change. Teach us to follow Jesus in all things. Amen.