COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

11/3/24 - Jesus' Great Commandment - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In today’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus is questioned by a scribe about which was the first of the ten commandments. Jesus told him that the first is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Second to love others as much as we love ourselves.

Jesus teaches us that love is the commandment that sums up all the others. To love God, we praise God, and thank God. To love our neighbor as we love ourselves, is to treat others as we would like to be treated. When we love the way Jesus teaches, we are showing our love for God and shining the light of God’s love on others.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What do you do with your whole heart, mind or strength? How does love of neighbor reflect love for God?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us not to get caught up in our business and forget to put you first. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

3/30/25 - The Forgiving Father - Cycle C

Dear Families,

This Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells us a parable about a man who has two sons. The youngest son who asked his father for his inheritance, left his home and squandered it all. The oldest son stayed, worked and obeyed him. When the youngest son returns the father throws him a party. His oldest son is jealous and doesn’t understand the father giving him a celebration for his bad behavior. What about me? I’ve been good where is my party? He is jealous. Jesus teaches us about God’s love and forgiveness. In our lives we are at times like the younger son, we walk away from God. Other times we might be like the older son, jealous of the love and forgiveness that God shows to others.

This story speaks to us about the meaning of reconciliation, God’s love, forgiveness and mercy. It is Lent, let us seek to be reconciled with God and others, especially through the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation.

This Laetare Sunday let us rejoice and remember the joy that Easter will bring after the time of repentance during Lent. Jesus tells us, “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents”. (Luke 15:7).

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question?
How can you find joy even when you are struggling or suffering?

Family Prayer: Lord, open our hearts to ask for forgiveness and to forgive others. Show us your mercy and help us to be merciful to others. Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/27/25 - Divine Mercy Sunday - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus appears to his disciples who are afraid and behind locked doors. Jesus greets them with the words “Peace be with you.” Then he breathes on them, imparting the Holy Spirit, and tells them that whose sins they forgive are forgiven. Jesus words to his disciples highlight the Sacrament of Reconciliation and they are empowered to forgive sins in Jesus’ name. Thomas is not present at this appearance of Jesus and does not believe the other disciples unless he sees for himself. Jesus returns, shows Thomas his wounds and Thomas believes.

Today the Second Sunday of Easter is also Divine Mercy Sunday. Mercy means being treated well even though we do not deserve it. When we sin, we may be afraid that God does not forgive us. However, we need to remember to believe that God is merciful and loves us no matter how bad our sins. When we are sorry for our sins God forgives us. Forgiveness and reconciliation are our gifts to us from Jesus.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can we share God’s peace and forgiveness with one another?

Family Prayer: “Jesus, I trust in you!” Thank you for your peace and mercy. Lord, open our hearts and eyes to see the need of peace in each other. Help us share your gift of peace and prayerfully greet each other by saying “May the peace of the Lord be with you.” Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

5/4/25 - Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples - Cycle C

Dear Families,

This Sunday’s Gospel tells us about the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples and shares a meal with them after his Resurrection. Jesus disciples had been fishing all night but caught nothing. In the morning they see a man who tells them to lower their nets again. They catch many fish! John recognizes him, “It is the Lord,” he told Peter. Hearing this, Peter jumped into the water and swam to meet Jesus on the shore. Jesus makes them breakfast and eats with them.

Jesus fed his disciples, and he continues to feeds us. The Risen Christ feeds us with his Body and Blood at every Mass. Jesus is present with us at every Eucharist, in every word of the Gospel, and whenever we join together in prayer. Jesus surprises us as he surprised his disciples out fishing. We find him with us when we don’t expect him or when we have little hope.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How do you recognize Jesus in the Mass? In other people? In some other way?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us recognize your presence in our lives today. Help us recognize and pray for the physical and emotional needs of others. Feed us all when we need nourishment and encouragement. Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

5/9/25- Jesus Is Our Good Shepherd - Cycle C

Dear Families,

Sunday’s Gospel helps us recognize that we are part of God’s family. Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice.” We are his sheep. He also tells us that he and the Father are one. We know God the Father because we know Jesus. Likewise, when others meet us, they should see Jesus in us.

As a family watch video in its entirety then ask each other this question.
How can you show Jesus to others through your words and actions?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to be like you. So that when others meet us, they see you in us. Amen