R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. cf. Psalm 27:1a (this is a great phrase in times of trouble to meditate on. Do you believe? Can you trust in God? Come, Follow Me From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As he was walking by the Sea […]
R. Lord come and save us. Cf. ISAIAH 35:4 (Psalm 146) This is the one whom I sent—a PROPHET! John the Baptist has lived like a patient farmer awaiting “the precious fruit of the earth.” From the midst of the “hardship and patience” that he suffers in prison for being a prophet “who spoke in the name of the Lord,” […]
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. Cf. Psalm 72:7 Is anyone listening?! As a parent, Catechist (teacher) or even friend, we can feel like we are John the Baptist! We are a voice crying out in the desert. Is anyone listening? Our message that Jesus is coming can get lost in the noise […]
Scripture focus for October 2, 2022 R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. cf. Psalm 95:8 What’s a Parable? A parable is a story with a meaning. It has a purpose. Jesus wanted us to understand something better. And actually do something with it. It is one of the smallest of all seeds (only 2.5mm), but […]
Psalm Response: The Lord is kind and merciful. Ps 103:8 Last week, Jesus gave us words to live by, The ‘Beatitudes,’ or blessings. Today, Jesus reminds us to be compassionate and forgiving. Jesus continues to explain what he means and how we should live. We are so quick to judge others harshly. Would we want God to judge us that […]
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord The Lord will bless his people with peace. Ps 29 In the Gospel from Luke Chapter 3, we see John the Baptist announcing the one who is mightier than he and will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. John was baptizing with water, not with power. Take some time this week to think about what baptism means for your life. Our baptism is different! …The Baptism given by Jesus, which the Church, faithful to his command, does not cease to administer, is quite different. This Baptism frees man from original sin and forgives his sins, saves him from slavery to evil and is a sign of his rebirth in the Holy Spirit; it imparts to him a new life, which is participation in the life of God the Father, given to us by his Only-Begotten Son who became man, died and rose again. 4. Dear brothers and sisters, in a few moments these children will also receive Baptism and become living members of the Church. They will first be anointed with the oil of catechumens, a sign of Christ’s gentle strength given to them to fight against evil. Then blessed water will be poured on them, a sign of their interior purification through the gift of the Holy Spirit, poured out by Jesus as he was dying on the Cross. They are then immediately given a second and more important anointing with “chrism”, to show […]
This was such a great resource from Loyola Press that I had to share it with all of my families in Faith Formation and especially our Grade 7 Confirmation class! The Beatitudes are so difficult to explain and understand, even for me. How can we apply to our lives? Starting in March, we will be giving BEE-attitude awards out in classes. The laminated page from Loyola Press has the Beatitudes from Jesus in Matthew 5:3-10 on one side and the Beatitudes for Families on the other. What a wonderful discussion for your family! One example: Blessed are the families who strengthen one another, encourage compassion, and desire to do good despite life’s blows and setbacks, for they help bring about the Kingdom of God. (Beatitude for Families #8) Praying for all families everywhere, Donna Doherty, Dir. of St. Gall Faith Formation Published in the St. Gall Bulletin for Sunday, 1/16/22
Are you comparing? Are you for or against? Are you an obstacle for others? In this Gospel, the disciple John questions Jesus about an unknown exorcist who was driving out demons in Jesus’ name. John’s question might have been motivated by jealousy. Previously in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus healed a boy whom the disciples had been unable to heal. John’s question is further evidence that the disciples have not yet grasped Jesus’ words to them. They continue to compare themselves to others who seem to have greater healing powers, and they do not want to share the power of Jesus’ name with others…The disciples observed that the unknown exorcist invoked Jesus’ name and was successful in his healing efforts. This unknown healer recognized the power of Jesus’ name, yet he was not a follower of Jesus. Later in this Gospel, Jesus teaches us not to create obstacles for those who are just beginning to have faith but to encourage even the smallest signs of faith. The Greek word used here for sin also connotes “stumbling” or “causing scandal.” In vivid terms Jesus teaches his disciples the consequences to those who would put obstacles before people who are on the road to faith. – Excerpt from the Sunday Connection by Loyola Press. While the miracles that happen in these stories can be unbelievable, they are eyewitness accounts recorded for us in the Gospel. We learn that so much can happen in Jesus’ […]
Scripture focus for the February 7 Mass Jesus Heals the Sick all over Galilee Today’s Mass begins with Job crying out to the Lord in despair. Today, we might echo our own despair. Is this all there is? Why is life so hard? Why can’t I have an easy life like that guy over there? Can’t I just get a […]
What would you ask for? Creating our coloring page with tips and discussion! Solomon chooses wisdom over gold! David’s son, Solomon, agrees to serve the Lord. He wants the Lord to give him an understanding heart to judge wisely and be able to distinguish right from wrong. If you could ask God for any gifts, what would you ask for? Solomon was wise and rewarded. God would grant him a heart so wise and understanding that there would never be another like him! It’s interesting that Solomon doesn’t wish for knowledge to be all-knowing like God. He doesn’t wish for gold that is tangible but fleeting. He doesn’t wish for God to eliminate all his enemies (translate to problems or challenges) so his life would be easier. He doesn’t ask for immortality. Solomon believed that he needed a heart like God. 1Kgs 3 He was VERY wise.
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