COVID-19 Vaccines & Catholic Morality

12/1/24 - Advent

Dear Families,

Happy New Year! The Church’s new year begins on this First Sunday of Advent. This week’s Gospel focus is on the Second Coming of Jesus. Jesus tells his disciples about the end of everything. “He tells them that there will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. And on earth, distress among the nations”. We learn that earthly things do not last forever. But we are not to fear, because he also tells his disciples that after this devastation they will see “The Son of Man coming on a cloud with great power and majesty”. Everything on earth will end but God is eternal and He will be with us forever.

This first Sunday of Advent we begin to prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas. When you come to Mass during Advent you will see a candle lighted each week and pray for hope, peace, joy and love. Let the light of these candles bring these prayers and the light of Christ to your family, friends, neighbors. Let’s celebrate his First Coming by being good to others and ourselves which will also prepare us for his Second Coming.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What are your hopes for yourself, your family, our world? What are ways you can prepare for Jesus’ coming?

Family Prayer: Lord, during Advent give us the grace to work on those things we need to correct or improve and become your shining light to the world. Amen.

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Read more: Advent 2024/ Adviento 2024

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

7/14/24 - The Salvation Story - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus sent the 12 Apostles he had chosen two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. Jesus gave them specific instruction as to what to bring for their journey. He also explained that they would be rejected as he was rejected. They went and healed the sick, drove out demons, and told people to turn away from sin.

The Apostles trusted everything Jesus told them to do. Jesus sent his disciples two by two, not alone. We are not alone; and our message will be rejected by family, friends, and others. However, always remember that we are supported by the faithful community in our Church, and we are all called to share his message of repentance and healing as his disciples. Jesus wants each of us to trust him, share his truth, and do good things in his name.

As a family watch video in its entirety then ask each other this question.
How are you as disciples bringing the message of repentance and healing to your family, friends, and others?

Family Prayer: Lord, fill our family with faith, send us out as your disciples to share your message of salvation. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

9/1/24 - Why Rules? - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells the Pharisees and some scribes that our holiness is more than just following their rules. Jesus tells them that their thoughts and actions are not following God’s commandments.

Jesus teaches us that that when we are kind, generous and loving towards one another we are following God’s laws.

Watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How do we follow God’s laws in our hearts?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to be true in our faith and love for you. Let our hearts and our actions reflect that love. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

11/24/24 - The Good King - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of John, we listen to Jesus’ trial before Pontious Pilate. When Pilate asks him “Are you a King?” Jesus responds that his kingdom is not of this world and that he has come into the world to testify to the truth.

This Sunday is the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. The start of the last week in the Church’s liturgical calendar. We learn that Jesus is King of the universe, but he doesn’t demand anything except our love and obedience to the commandments. Jesus has authority over everything, but he humbles himself to serve us and even to die for us.

He teaches us to be servant leaders and rule with love. When leaders rule with love, they build the kingdom of God.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How is God’s kingdom different from a kingdom on earth? What kind of leader or king is Jesus?

Family Prayer: Jesus, you are a good and loving king. Help us to follow your will and trust that it is always for our good. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

11/10/24 - The Widows - Cycle B

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus was sitting near the Temple treasury, where he could see the people who came to drop in their money. Many rich people put in a lot of money. Then a poor widow came up and dropped in two little copper coins. Jesus gathered his disciples and said to them, that poor widow gave more to the treasury than all the others. They gave what they could spare without hurting. But she, a poor widow, has given all she had to live on.

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us a unique way to look at how we are to be generous. He explains that giving from our excess is not as powerful as giving everything like the widow did. We are challenged to give everything to God, not just our extra time, talent, and treasure.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What have you held back from God?

Family Prayer: Help us to see what we are holding back from you, Lord, and to give it freely. Amen.