Virus Season

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, a blind man named Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus to cure him. The people in the crowd tell him to stop calling out, but he calls out more loudly. He won’t be silenced. Jesus hears him and goes to him and asks him “What do you want me to do for you?” He replies. “Master, I want to see”. Jesus tells Bartimaeus that his faith has saved him and he receives his sight.

Sometimes we can be blind too. We don’t see the truth about God and are blind to our own faults. Perhaps we are hurting or feeling alone or sad. Like Bartimaeus, we should call out to Jesus to help us and not let anyone stop us. Jesus wants us to believe that he can heal us. He shows us that our persistence in prayer is a sign of our faith.

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

What do you want Jesus to heal for you? Do you believe that he can heal you?

Family Prayer: Lord, sometimes we don’t even recognize that we need healing. Help us to see where we might be broken and humbly ask you to heal us.

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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/13/25 - Palm/Passion Sunday

Dear Families,

In this week’s Gospel, we begin with Jesus triumphant entrance into Jerusalem and the crowds of people welcoming him waving palm branches. Then the Gospel moves us from triumph to tragedy. It tells us about Jesus’ suffering and Death. We also learn about Judas’s betrayal, Peter’s denial, and a soldier’s faith.
These events of Jesus’ Passion will be proclaimed again when we remember Jesus’ final days at Mass on Holy Thursday the Lord’s Last Supper, Good Friday the Passion of the Lord, and the Easter Vigil. As we journey into the heart of our Christian faith, let’s remember “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

As a family watch video in its entirety then ask each other these questions.
Why does Jesus pour out his life for us? As a family what events will we participate in during Holy Week?

Family Prayer: Dear Lord, may we have the same mind and the same love you have for us. Help us to be selfless like you as we put other people’s needs before our own. Amen.

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(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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Watch video as a family.

(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/20/25 - Jesus is Alive! - Cycle C

Dear Families,

Alleluia, Christ is Risen! It’s Easter Sunday and we rejoice that Jesus has come back to life. We rejoice because we have received the gift of salvation through his Death and Resurrection. Jesus loves us so much that he died on the cross to take away our sins. He came back to life again so that we could have eternal life and be with him forever. Let’s experience his gift of joy, hope, and peace always.

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24)

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other these questions.
How would I feel if I discovered the tomb was empty? What would I do?

Family Prayer: Jesus, thank you for coming to be our Savior. We praise your goodness and joyfully sing Alleluia at the news of your Resurrection. Amen

Happy Easter!

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(La versión en español sigue al inglés)

4/27/25 - Divine Mercy Sunday - Cycle C

Dear Families,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus appears to his disciples who are afraid and behind locked doors. Jesus greets them with the words “Peace be with you.” Then he breathes on them, imparting the Holy Spirit, and tells them that whose sins they forgive are forgiven. Jesus words to his disciples highlight the Sacrament of Reconciliation and they are empowered to forgive sins in Jesus’ name. Thomas is not present at this appearance of Jesus and does not believe the other disciples unless he sees for himself. Jesus returns, shows Thomas his wounds and Thomas believes.

Today the Second Sunday of Easter is also Divine Mercy Sunday. Mercy means being treated well even though we do not deserve it. When we sin, we may be afraid that God does not forgive us. However, we need to remember to believe that God is merciful and loves us no matter how bad our sins. When we are sorry for our sins God forgives us. Forgiveness and reconciliation are our gifts to us from Jesus.

As a family watch video in its entirety and then ask each other this question.
How can we share God’s peace and forgiveness with one another?

Family Prayer: “Jesus, I trust in you!” Thank you for your peace and mercy. Lord, open our hearts and eyes to see the need of peace in each other. Help us share your gift of peace and prayerfully greet each other by saying “May the peace of the Lord be with you.” Amen