COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

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)

10/15/23 - The Parable of the Wedding Banquet - Cycle A

Dear Families,

If you were invited to a party, would you go? In today’s Gospel of Matthew, guests who were invited to the son of the king's wedding did not come, so the host invited strangers. Every Sunday, we are invited to come to God’s house. Sometimes we may not feel like going or we are too busy, but the feast is ready and God is waiting eagerly for our arrival.

Jesus tells this parable to teach us about being invited to the greatest celebration of all, the gift of the Holy Eucharist at Mass. Some people accept his invitation and some people don’t. When we don’t attend Mass, we are saying no to his invitation to the Kingdom of Heaven.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why is Sunday Mass such an important and special celebration?

Family Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending us an invitation to be a part of your family and come to your celebration every Sunday. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

5/28/23 - Pentecost Sunday - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday, Easter ends with the celebration of the Feast of Pentecost. Pentecost is when the Holy Spirit came to the disciples and the story of Pentecost is in today’s first reading in the Acts of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit was given to the Apostles to guide, teach and be with them when Jesus was gone. In the Gospel of John, Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. He tells them “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” and he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jesus gave the apostles the ability to forgive sins and bring peace to the world.

Jesus gave the disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them spread his message of love, peace and forgiveness. This same Holy Spirit is still with us today. With the Holy Spirit let us bring peace to our home, family, friends, and the world.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How does the Holy Spirit work in our family to bring us the gift of forgiveness, peace and love?

Family Prayer: Holy Spirit, help our family receive your gift of peace, so that with your love and forgiveness we are present in your name to each other. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/18/23 - Jesus Calls Us to Bring in the Harvest - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus chooses twelve apostles to continue his ministry. He explains that there is a big harvest and few laborers. Jesus is not speaking about fruits or vegetables; he was sending them out to bring his ministry of love and healing to people.

Many laborers are needed out in the field. Jesus calls all of us to bring his love to our families, neighbors, schools, and work. We need to understand that there are still many people suffering and need healing. Don’t be scared to do Jesus’ work. When you are a good example to others, and show kindness, you are doing his work.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can you bring Jesus’ healing love to others?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us be faithful workers by sharing with others your healing love. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

7/2/23 - Jesus Our Priority - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew sounds confusing. We are to love Jesus more than our parents, and children or else we are not worthy of his love. The word to look at is more, Jesus is asking us to place our love for him above all others, not instead of others. Remember that our families are gifts from God. God gave our families to us because he is the giver of every good gift. Jesus knows that it is not easy to follow him, he tells us that we are to give his love to others without expecting anything in return. The way to do this is by putting his love in our hearts first and follow him.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do we love someone more than Jesus, and choose not to follow Jesus? Are we dead to sins and alive with God?

Family Prayer: God, thank you for the gift of family. Help us choose you first so that we may receive the grace to share your love, peace and kindness with one another. Amen.