Services

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

Click Photo

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel the people follow Jesus because He had given them bread. Jesus teaches them that what they really needed was not just food, but the food that God would give them. That food is Jesus Himself, the Bread of Life! When we celebrate Holy Communion, we receive Jesus Himself. Let’s remember that He is the Bread of Life. God provides for all our physical and spiritual needs.

As a family watch video in its entirety and ask each other these questions.

Why does Jesus tell us that if we eat the bread he gives us, we will never be hungry? What does this mean?

Family Prayer: Lord, you gave us everything you had: Your life, your Body and your Blood. Teach us to give everything we have to you. Amen

Click Picture

Watch video as a family.

(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

Click Photo

(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

Click Picture

Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

1/2/22 - Epiphany of the Lord- Cycle C

Dear Families,

This Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. The Gospel tells us about the Magi. They were three wise men from the East that had seen a special star rising up in the sky and traveled to Jerusalem. They asked to meet with King Herod and asked him where was the child who had been born King of the Jews because they wanted to do him homage. Herod was very upset with this question. He was already the King of the Jews. He was upset someone would take away his power. Herod asked the Magi to let him know when they found him because he too wanted to do homage. But secretly he wished to learn his whereabouts so he could kill him.

The Magi followed the star to Bethlehem until it stopped over the place where the Child Jesus was. They bowed to the ground and did homage, and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. During the night they had a dream telling them not to go back to Herod, so they went back to their country taking another road.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
What gift can you give Jesus that shows your love for God and others?

Family Prayer: Lord, like the Magi help us to seek and worship you as our King. Amen.