COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

10/1/23 - The Parable of the Two Sons - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a parable (story) of two sons whose father asked them to help in the vineyard. The first son said no to his father and then changed his mind and helped. The second son said yes, he would help but he did not. Both sons were asked to help. The difference between the two sons is that the first son that said no disobeyed with his words but obeyed with his action. The second son said yes with his words but disobeyed with his action.

There are times when we are asked to do something and say yes and plan not to do it. Other times we might say no and then realize we need to do it. Jesus teaches us that our actions are as important as our words. When we go to Mass each Sunday, we learn God’s love for us and how to love one another. It is important that our actions match what we learn and say at each Mass and live God’s love through our words and actions in our world.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What makes you say no instead of yes when you are asked to do something? What do you say yes to and do?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to hear what you want us to know and to say yes to you. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

5/21/23 - (What is the Ascension?) 7th Sunday of Easter - Cycle A

Dear Families,

Thursday, May 18^th was the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, and the video for this week will reflect on the readings of that day. In the First Reading Acts 1:1-11 Jesus took his disciples up to a hill and he disappears into a cloud. In the Gospel of Matthew 28:16-20, he commands them to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations. Want to know more? Watch the video, and ask yourselves these questions. Where did He go? What did he say? What did he promise?

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus prays not only for his disciples but also for us. He prays to God the Father to bless his people. He prays that even though we are challenged in the world to be unique and not let ourselves be influenced by the world. He prays that in the world we keep our hearts and minds on what he has revealed to us and to share it with the world. Jesus came to show us how to live in the world, and with his love we know all things are possible.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions.
Who has taught you about Jesus? Who have you taught about Jesus?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us share God’s word as you taught us. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

10/8/23 - Bad Tenants and Wild Grapes - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the chief priests and elders a parable about a man who plants a vineyard, and then leased it to tenants. When the owner’s servants go to collect the produce from the tenants, they rebel and kill the servants. Then he sends his son, and they killed him also. The tenants thought they would be able to take the vineyard if the son was dead. When he finishes the parable, he questions the chief priests and elders. He asks, what would they do? And they answered that they would kill the wicked tenants. Jesus is speaking about the failure of Jesus’ own people not accepting him. When God sent His Son Jesus, the leaders were like the tenants. They did not listen or respect him. They killed Jesus on the cross.

Jesus’ parable teaches us to be part of God’s vineyard, the Church. Jesus is asking us to make good choices. Not to be like the bad tenants who were selfish. He is calling us to be a part of God’s kingdom. To be a part of God’s kingdom we need to love, not be selfish, listen to Jesus’ teachings, and be responsible to what we say we will do.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How is God like the owner of the vineyard? How are you responsible at school, home, church, and with other people?

Family Prayer: God our creator, thank you for making us and sharing your wonderful world with us. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/30/23 - Jesus is the Good Shepherd - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us that he is the Shepherd that opens the gate for his sheep, and he protects them from robbers who will climb over the fence. The sheep will be led by their Shepherd’s voice and only listen to it. They will run away from a stranger’s voice.

Jesus is our shepherd at the gate of the Church. When we celebrate as a community at Mass, we are there as his sheep. He gives us the grace to hear his voice, and not those voices that want to rob us of our faith and trust in him. He knows each one of us, wants to protect us, keep us safe, and give us eternal life with God.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Who cares for you? Who has shown you how to help others? How does Jesus, the Good Shepherd, care for his sheep?

Family Prayer: Jesus, thank you for being our Good Shepherd. You know us by name, care for us, and love us. Help us take care of one another through loving thoughts and actions. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

2/4/24 - Job and Jesus - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus visits the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law is sick and Jesus cures her. She immediately begins to serve Jesus and his disciples. When it was evening, all the ill and possessed by demons gathered at the door of Simon and Andrew’s house. Jesus healed them of diseases and drove out demons. After having a busy evening, Jesus woke up early the next day. He went to a deserted place and spent time praying to God.

We need to spend time with God in prayer. Even if we are busy serving him in a ministry, we still need to take time to talk with Our Father in heaven. Like Jesus, take time each day to go to a quiet place, pray and ask God to guide and direct your life.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How does Jesus make a difference to people in need? How do you make a difference to people in need? Do you have a quiet place to pray?

Family Prayer: Loving God, we ask you to bless friends, family, neighbors, and members of our parish who are sick or suffering. Please help them to trust that you are with them and that you will always love them. Amen.