COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

Dear Families,

Sunday’s Gospel tells us that Jesus performed miracles. He cured the sick and even raised the dead. In each case he was moved by the faith of the people who requested the miracle. We don’t think of ourselves as being in need of healing, but we all need healing in different ways. We are human and we have physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs and perhaps need a bit of healing every single day. Jesus wants us to ask him when we need help and to ask with faith.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:

What does it mean to ask Jesus for something with faith?

Family Prayer: Jesus, please help us to have faith. Teach us to ask for what we need with faith. Amen

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

Last Sunday, we saw Jesus perform great miracles moved by the faith of people. The raising of Jairus’ daughter and the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage. This Sunday is quite different. People in Jesus’ hometown could not see who he really was. They only recognized the person they remembered from when he was younger. Because of their lack of faith, he did not perform many miracles.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.

Why did the people in Jesus’ hometown have trouble seeing him as the Messiah and doubted he could do miracles?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, it is normal to doubt things sometimes. Please help us to look past our doubt and trust in you for everything. Amen

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In Sunday’s Gospel, we hear of a great storm. Jesus is on a boat with his disciples and has fallen asleep. His disciples are afraid of the storm and they wake up Jesus. Jesus wakes up and orders the wind and sea to calm down. Jesus asks his disciples: “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

We all face personal storms of fear, anger, loneliness, rejection, loss of a loved ones. We can share our worries and concerns with Jesus. When we bring our worries to Jesus in prayer, he can help us see our worries from a different perspective. He can help us face our worries with faith in God’s love and protection.

As a family watch video in its entirety and 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 especially when we are afraid. Help us to trust that you will help us at all times. Amen.

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Body and Blood of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear how Jesus instructed his disciples to prepare for their special Passover meal. Passover celebrates the Jewish feast where the Jewish people were freed from slavery by the Egyptians. This was to be Jesus Last Supper with His disciples. During the meal, Jesus took the bread, blessed it and shared it with his disciples. Then Jesus took a cup, blessed it and shared it with his disciples. Jesus changed the bread and wine into His own Body and Blood. He did this because he wanted to be with us always. Every time we receive the Eucharist, we remember we are receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The priest takes the place of Jesus, saying the same words that Jesus said at the Last Super, and the bread and wine becomes the real Body and Blood of Jesus.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:

How can you better prepare yourself to receive Holy Communion?

Family Prayer: Lord, please help us to recognize you in the Holy Eucharist. Help us to remember that you are truly present. Amen

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The season of Easter ends with today’s celebration, Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus Ascended into heaven, he promised to send the Holy Spirit, and he kept his promise.

This Sunday, the story of Pentecost is found in the first reading of Acts of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit descends upon the Apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit comes like wind because it is God’s life breathed into us and fire because it gives us light to show us God’s ways. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand who God is and enables us to be his witness to share his love throughout the world.

As a family, watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:

How is the Holy Spirit light and strength in your life?

Family Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for the gift of Pentecost and for new life in the Holy Spirit. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my heart ablaze with the fire of your love that I may serve you in joy and freedom.