Services

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)

5/14/23 - Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sundays Gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples that if they love him, they will obey his commandments.

He promises them that even though he is going back to God the Father he will not abandon them, because they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them understand God’s truth and love. The Holy Spirit will help them continue to obey his commandments and spread God’s message of truth and love to others.

Jesus has also given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, whom we received at Baptism. When we call in prayer the Holy Spirit, he will help us understand God’s love for us, follow Jesus, and share his truth and love with others.

As a family watch video in is entirety and then ask each other this question?
How am I aware of the Holy Spirit of love and truth in my life?

Family Prayer: God thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and for all the people who help us live as Jesus disciples. Amen.

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(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.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

10/29/23 - The Greatest Commandment - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, the Jewish religious leaders are still trying to test Jesus. In today’s reading they question him about the Ten Commandments and the many additional rules that numbered over six hundred by asking him which is the most important one. Jesus answers them that the first greatest commandment is to love God with our whole heart, soul and mind. The second greatest commandment is to love others as you love yourself. The whole law depends on these two commandments.

Jesus teaches that the heart of God’s Law is love. When we keep the great commandments, we also keep all the other commandments. Sometimes we think that the commandments restrict us but they free us from those things that get in the way of loving. Jesus shows us this love in a powerful way by his life, Death, and Resurrection.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
What are the rules or laws in your family? How do they show love for God? How do they show love for you and others?

Family Prayer: Dear Lord, show us how to love you, ourselves, and others. Amen.

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(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.