COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

12/29/24 - Holy Family Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, at the age of 12 Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Passover, an event where family and friends traveled together each year. On their way back home, they realized Jesus was not with them. They were worried when they could not find Jesus with any of their families or friends. After three days they found Jesus when they went back to the Temple. When they found him and they told him how concerned and anxious they were, Jesus asked them why were they concerned since he was in his Father’s house, but he was obedient and returned with them to Nazareth.

As a family watch reflection video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What makes our family holy?

Family Prayer: Jesus, Mary and Joseph pray for us. Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/7/24 - Peace Be With You - Cycle B

Dear Families,

Happy Easter! Easter season is a celebration of fifty days, from Easter until Pentecost.

In this Sunday’s Gospel of John, Jesus appears to his disciples and said to them “Peace be with you.” Thomas is not with them when he appears, and Thomas does not believe them and states that unless he sees him himself, he will not believe. Jesus appears again and asks Thomas to touch him, and not be unbelieving. Thomas touched him and said “My Lord and my God.” The Lord asks Thomas “Have you come to believe because you see me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Jesus was blessing us when he said these words to Thomas. We are asked to show that we believe in Jesus as our Lord and God. We believe because of the witnessing of all who have gone before us in the faith.

This Sunday the Church also celebrates the feast of Divine Mercy, it is a special day when we remember God’s mercy. When we sin, we offend God, but because he is merciful, he forgives us when we are sorry. Jesus loves us, he suffered and died for us. It is a special day when we ask Jesus to look on us, our friends and the whole world with love and forgiveness.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do you doubt when you are with believers, or are you a believer who has doubts? Do you trust our Lord and pray for his forgiveness of sins and His mercy?

Family Prayer: Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

8/11/24 - When You're Stuck - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of John, people were upset because Jesus told them that he had come down from Heaven. They did not understand when Jesus said “I am the Bread of Life.” They think they know Jesus because they knew his father and mother but didn’t listen to understand what he was saying.

By praying and listening to God’s Words we learn to have faith that Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus tells us that those who listen to him will see beyond just seeing bread. The Eucharist is the Bread of Life. When we receive the Eucharist at Mass, we are receiving the Bread of Life that came down from heaven which gives us eternal life.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions.
Who sends the Bread of Life? Who is the Bread of Life? What gift is given to those who eat the Bread of Life?

Family Prayer: Jesus, it is hard to believe what we cannot see. Help us to have faith in you and your promise that the Eucharist is really you - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/16/24 - What is Faith? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells two parables about the kingdom of God. In the first parable, Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like a seed a man scatters and does not know how it grows, but with time the seed sprouts and grows into a harvest. The second parable focuses on a tiny mustard seed, that though tiny grows into a tree with large branches and welcomes many birds.

Both of these parables focus on seeds and how they take time to grow. They teach us that when we scatter the seed of God’s word, we do not know how it grows but we need to scatter the seed. Also, when we plant the tiniest seed of love in our hearts and share it with others it too grows and brings the kingdom of God to others.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Why does Jesus use the seed in these parables to explain the Kingdom of God? What do we learn about the kingdom from the mustard seed parable?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to grow in faith and bring the kingdom of God to others. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/9/24 - What Is Most Important - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus returns home with his twelve disciples. A crowd has gathered, and he is accused that his miracles were done through the power of the devil. Jesus speaks to them in parables and warns against their denial of the love of God, the forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit. When they tell Jesus that his family is outside, waiting for him, he explains that whoever does the will of God are his brother, sister, and mother.

Jesus teaches us that when we believe in him, we are members of his family. God is our Father, and we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What are some of the things we do as a family. What are some things we do with our Church Family?

Family Prayer: Jesus, thank you for our family and our Church family. Help us be loving and kind to all people. Amen.