Services
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
Last Sunday, we saw Jesus perform great miracles moved by the faith of people. The raising of Jairus’ daughter and the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage. This Sunday is quite different. People in Jesus’ hometown could not see who he really was. They only recognized the person they remembered from when he was younger. Because of their lack of faith, he did not perform many miracles.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
Why did the people in Jesus’ hometown have trouble seeing him as the Messiah and doubted he could do miracles?
Family Prayer: Dear Jesus, it is normal to doubt things sometimes. Please help us to look past our doubt and trust in you for everything. Amen
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
This Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany is a Greek word that means “unveiling” where something is revealed. After Jesus was born, Magi came to see him from far away in the east. The Magi had studied the stars and saw a special star. They knew it meant a new king had been born so they followed the star to Bethlehem, it led them to Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. When they saw Jesus, they got down on their knees and worshiped Him. They gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They were not Jewish, but these foreigners honored Jesus as a King. On the Feast of the Epiphany, we celebrate that Jesus is revealed not just to the Jewish people, but to the world. God revealed love for all people by sending us his Son.
As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions. What does the story of the Magi teach us? What gift can you bring to Jesus that shows your love for God and others?
Family Prayer: Lord Jesus, may Your light shine our way to you as it once guided the steps of the Magi, so that we too may be led into Your presence to honor and worship You. Amen
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Read more: Epiphany of the Lord / Epifanía del Señor (Faith Formation)
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The season of Easter ends with today’s celebration, Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus Ascended into heaven, he promised to send the Holy Spirit, and he kept his promise.
This Sunday, the story of Pentecost is found in the first reading of Acts of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit descends upon the Apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit comes like wind because it is God’s life breathed into us and fire because it gives us light to show us God’s ways. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand who God is and enables us to be his witness to share his love throughout the world.
As a family, watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:
How is the Holy Spirit light and strength in your life?
Family Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for the gift of Pentecost and for new life in the Holy Spirit. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my heart ablaze with the fire of your love that I may serve you in joy and freedom.
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Read more: What is Pentecost / ¿Que es Pentecostés? (Faith Formation)
(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am”, and Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus then tells his disciples something they may not have wanted to hear. That he was going to suffer and die. Peter objects to what Jesus has said. Jesus tells Peter you don’t understand you are not thinking as God does, but as human beings do. Like Peter we too may not understand. We also may have ideas about what we think God should be doing in our world. We risk limiting God’s plan by thinking only in human ways. God’s plans are always more than we can ever imagine. Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and is Risen!
As followers of Jesus, we need to take up our cross and follow him. Jesus gave everything for us, and he wants us to love him and trust him with our whole hearts. Jesus wants us to offer our lives in service to others. As James tells us in today’s Second Reading, we can’t just say we have faith. We need to show our faith by works of love.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.
What does Jesus mean when he says we must take up our cross and follow him?
Family Prayer: Jesus, teach us to believe in you and trust in you completely, even when it seems difficult. Amen
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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)
Dear Families,
Sunday’s Gospel tells us that Jesus performed miracles. He cured the sick and even raised the dead. In each case he was moved by the faith of the people who requested the miracle. We don’t think of ourselves as being in need of healing, but we all need healing in different ways. We are human and we have physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs and perhaps need a bit of healing every single day. Jesus wants us to ask him when we need help and to ask with faith.
As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question:
What does it mean to ask Jesus for something with faith?
Family Prayer: Jesus, please help us to have faith. Teach us to ask for what we need with faith. Amen
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