Services

9/17/23 - The Lord's Call to Us - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel, Peter asks Jesus how many times he needs to forgive others. Then Jesus tells the story of the king who forgave someone’s debt and how this person did not forgive the person who owed him. Jesus teaches that we must forgive one another as God has forgiven us.

It is not always easy to forgive someone who hurts you. Jesus tells us that we must forgive, just as God the Father forgives us. When we hurt someone, we should ask for forgiveness right away. When someone asks for our forgiveness, we should not answer, “It’s okay,” but rather say, “I forgive you.” We must forgive one another from the heart.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
Do we answer Jesus’ call? Are we afraid to answer his call? When others hurt us, do we truly forgive with our hearts?

Family Prayer: Help us Lord to answer your call. And, to offer and ask for forgiveness when we have hurt each other. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

7/9/23 - King of Peace - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest.” Jesus is telling us that God, Our Father, understands when we are worn out. He knows when we are burdened with problems, are tired at work, at school. He teaches us that when we pray and share our burdens with him, they become lighter.

God wants us to go to him when we need to rest, and open our minds to his wisdom and love. When our hearts rest in God we experience peace. When we experience this peace, it is then shared with love and compassion for others.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
Do you go to God when you are troubled?

Family Prayer: Dear Jesus in our times of trouble, let us always share our burdens with you. Amen.

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

11/12/23 - The Wise and Foolish Virgins Parable - Cycle A

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. To understand this parable, we need to know that during Jesus’ time it was a tradition for families and friends to wait for the bridegroom when he came to bring his bride to their new home. And they could be late. The wise virgins were prepared and took extra oil and attended the wedding feast. The foolish ones did not take extra oil and while they went to get more oil the doors were closed and they were not able to attend the wedding feast.

Jesus is teaching how we need to be prepared to enter the Kingdom of Heaven because we do not know when he will return. We prepare for his coming every day through prayer, being good to one another, loving each other, going to mass. Living our faith is the work of a lifetime.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
If Jesus came back today, would you be ready to meet him?

Family Prayer: Jesus, remind us to always be prepared for you, especially each Sunday at Mass. 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)

5/19/24 - Pentecost Sunday

Dear Families,

The season of Easter ends with today’s celebration, Pentecost Sunday. On Pentecost, we celebrate the birthday of the Catholic Church. In John’s Gospel, we see Jesus giving his Apostles the gift of the Holy Spirit and passing on the ability to forgive sins. Jesus appoints the Apostles as the Catholic Church’s first leaders. Jesus gives us a beautiful gift in the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation – his peace.

As we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, our Gospel reminds us that this same Holy Spirit helps us be agents of God’s peace and forgiveness in the world.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How does the Holy Spirit help you bring peace to your family and friends?

Family Prayer: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. Amen.