(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

During Jesus’ time on earth, religious leaders liked to sit around and discuss the law.  One Jewish teacher asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”  Jesus answered, “The first one is:  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all you soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.”

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches to love God above everything else.  It may sometimes be difficult to remember all the 10 Commandments.  However, Jesus explains that love is the greatest commandment that sums up all the others.  To love God, we praise God and thank him.  With his love we learn to love each other, share, forgive, and show respect.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question?

How does Jesus show you by example how you can live out the Great Commandment of loving God and neighbor?

Family Prayer:  Jesus, help us to not get caught up in our own busyness and forget to put you first.

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 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In last week’s Gospel, we heard Jesus chose 12 Apostles and sent them to preach and heal in his name.  In today’s Gospel, we hear what happens when they return from this important work.

The Apostles gathered with Jesus and reported all they had done.  Jesus saw that they were very tired and told them to take a break, but the crowds found out and followed them.  Even though they were tired, Jesus and his Apostles were moved with pity and continued to help the people.

Family demands can make us feel like Jesus and the twelve Apostles.  When we pray, we can talk to Jesus about our own needs and the concerns for others.  Jesus will renew and strengthen us to live as his disciples.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other this question.

How do you find the energy to do things you need to do when you are tired?

Family Prayer:  Jesus, we know your grace is sufficient for whatever we need to do.  Please help us turn to you when we need rest and when we need strength.  Amen

 

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/10/22 - Palm/Passion Sunday - Cycle C

Dear Families,

This Sunday is the beginning of the holiest week in the Church year.  On Palm Sunday we proclaim two Gospels according to Luke.  We have a procession at the beginning of Mass when the first Gospel is proclaimed and Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and people waved palms to honor him.  Join in, wave your palm branch high.  In the second Gospel when we proclaim the Passion and Death of Jesus, join in the responses of the Passion.

Celebrate the days of Holy Week, it expresses Jesus’ love for us.  Participate at the different services on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. 

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How do people welcome Jesus to Jerusalem?  How does Jesus’ Crucifixion express who he is?  What memories of Holy Week stand out for you?

Family Prayer:  Lord, you suffered so much for us.  Help us to be strong when we suffer and to unite our sufferings to yours.  Amen

 

 

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 (La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that from the very beginning of creation God made the union of a woman and a man a blessed and sacred community.  We honor this community in the Sacrament of Matrimony.  We call this community the family.  Jesus teaches us that God’s grace helps a man and a woman honor their commitments to each other.  Continuing with the Gospel, people were bringing children for Jesus to touch them, but the disciples were stopping them.  Jesus saw this and told them to let the children come to Him, and He blessed them.

Jesus loves children and every member of the family.  He calls everyone in the family to follow him, trust God, and depend in Him completely.

As a family watch the video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.

What are some things that make it difficult to keep promises we have made to each other in our family?

Family Prayer:  Lord, show us how to love each other in our family and keep our promises to each other.  Amen

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/3/22 - Jesus Refuses to Condemn - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus urges teachers of the law to help people grow rather than condemn them.  The teachers bring to Jesus a woman whom they have caught committing a very serious sin.  According to the law this sin is punishable by her being stoned to death.  Instead of telling them that they should punish her according to the law, Jesus told them that they should only punish her if they themselves had never sinned.  They all walked away because they have all sinned.  The accused woman had sinned and she was left alone before Jesus.  Jesus told the woman, go and do not sin again.  He was merciful.

Jesus teaches us to not be mean to people we know have sinned.  We should try to be merciful like Jesus, and we should be kind to sinners because we are sinners too.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
When has forgiveness given you a new start? How do you show mercy to others?

Family Prayer:  Lord, help us to see our faults, before looking at the faults of others.  Amen

 

 

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