Services

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.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

1/15/23 - Lamb of God - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, when Jesus came to the Jordan River to be baptized, John the Baptist points to Jesus and testifies that he is the Lamb of God, who will take away the sins of the world, the son of God, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist knew his mission. He prepared the way for Jesus by asking people to repent of their sins, and pointing towards Jesus. He knew that Jesus is the Lamb of God. As John preached, we should repent of our sins, and like him we also need to show others the way to Jesus.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
As a disciple of Christ, what do you think is your mission in life?

Family Prayer: Lord, help us live our baptismal call with love and service to one another. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

2/19/23 - Love Your Enemies - Cycle A

Dear Families,

Continuing with the Sermon on the Mount we have been hearing the last several weeks, Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for them. By enemies, Jesus means people who don’t love us, who possibly hate us, hurt us, and who probably won’t love us back even though we love them.

Loving our enemies is hard. Jesus knows we are human and not perfect, but he asks us to treat others as we ourselves want to be treated. He teaches us to have mercy for others as he has mercy for us. As Jesus explained, if you love only those who love you, what is so special about that?

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What is a loving way to respond to someone who upsets you?

Family Prayer: Jesus, help us to remember to love everyone as you do. Help us to stay calm when we are upset and to be kind when we are angry. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

6/11/23 - Body & Blood of Christ - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Sunday is a very special feast day called Corpus Christi, a Latin word which means “Body of Christ”. In John’s Gospel we hear how Jesus told the crowd that those that eat his flesh and drinks his blood has eternal life. It was difficult then and now to understand, but our faith tells us that each time we go to mass the bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus. At mass listen to the words the priest says as he consecrates the bread and wine. As he elevates the host remember this is now Jesus you are looking at. When we receive the Eucharist, he nourishes our souls and strengthens our faith. Jesus is truly with us; he is the living bread of eternal life.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Why do you think Jesus gave us the Eucharist?

Family Prayer: Jesus, you are truly the Bread of Life. Thank you for your loving presence in the Eucharist. Amen.

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

3/26/23 - Jesus Raises Lazarus - Cycle A

Dear Families,

This Fifth Sunday of Lent Jesus hears that his friend Lazarus is very sick, and when he returns to see Lazarus he has been dead for four days. His sisters Mary and Martha are very sad and Martha asks him why didn’t he come sooner? He could have healed Lazarus. Jesus said to Martha your brother will rise again. Yes, on the last day she replies. Do you believe that people who believe in me die, but that I give them life forever? She replies that he is God’s son. Jesus asks where he was buried and when he sees the tomb he weeps with the others. Jesus asks that the stone on the tomb be moved. He prays and commands Lazarus to come out from the tomb. He raises Lazarus from the dead. News of Jesus’ raising Lazarus travels fast. Many people come to believe in him, but many others are questioning his miracles and actions.

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he shows us his power over death. We believe that by Jesus’ death and Resurrection, he conquered death and won eternal life for us. Our faith calls us to be like Martha and Mary, and believe that Jesus is the Resurrection and eternal life.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Why do you think Jesus wept? When someone loses a loved one, how can you comfort them in their sorrow? Do you ever think of Jesus weeping with you when you are sad?

Family Prayer: Jesus you are the Resurrection and the life. Help us to live a life of compassion and trust. Amen.