March 5 th 1 st Sunday of Lent God is always ready to forgive us. During Lent, we focus on sacrifice and change. First Reading Introduction (Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7): Our first reading tells us the story of Adam and Eve and how they disobeyed God. Gospel Introduction (Matthew 4:1-11): Did you know that Jesus was tempted to disobey God also, when he lived on earth? Today s Gospel tells us how Jesus was able to defeat the devil. In the first reading, what happened in the garden? Why did the man and woman disobey God? Did the man and woman know they had sinned? In the Gospel, how is Jesus tempted by the devil? What does Jesus do? What are some ways we are tempted? How can we be strong and fight against temptation like Jesus does? March 12 th 2 nd Sunday of Lent In our Gospel, God give us strength as we travel on the journey of our faith. First Reading Introduction (Genesis 12:1-4a): What if God asked you to move away to a country hundreds of miles away? Listen to what Abraham did long ago when God asked the same of him. Gospel Introduction (Matthew 17:1-9): In today s Gospels, three of the disciples go off to a quiet place to pray with Jesus. Listen to what happens when they are there. In the first reading, what does God ask Abraham and his family to do? How does Abraham show his trust in God? In the Gospel, who was with Jesus on the mountain? What happened while they were there how did Jesus appearance change? Who appeared with Jesus, and why was it strange for them to be there? What did God say? How can we listen to Jesus, like God asks us?
March 19 th 3 rd Sunday of Lent Water is a sign of our salvation. First Reading Introduction (Exodus 17:3-7): Our first reading tells what God did for his chosen people when Moses was leading them through the desert to the Promised Land. Gospel Introduction (John 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42): Today s Gospel tells us about a meeting between Jesus and a woman at a well near her village. In the first reading, why were the people complaining to Moses? How did God respond? What happens with the woman at the well? What kind of water does Jesus promise to give her? How does Jesus describe the living water? We are baptized in water, and during Easter, we renew the promises we made during our baptism. How can we live as God s children, especially during Lent? March 26 th 4 th Sunday of Lent Jesus is the light of the world. First Reading Introduction (Ephesians 5:8-14): The first reading Paul tells the people of Ephesus that they are children of the light, living under God. Gospel Introduction (John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38): In today s Gospel, we hear about a blind man chosen by Jesus to receive two special favors: A cure for his blindness and the good news that Jesus is the Lord. In our first reading, we are asked to live as children of the light. What does this mean? What happened to the blind man in the Gospel? How did he feel after he met Jesus? Why did the Pharisees not believe that Jesus was God? How can we continue to keep our Lenten promises?
April 2 nd 5 th Sunday of Lent We learn about resurrection to new life. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Jesus gives us life. First Reading Introduction (Ezekiel 37:12-14): In the first reading, God gives his prophet, Ezekiel, an important promise to pass on to his chosen people. They are living as prisoners far away from home. Gospel Introduction (John 11:1-45): In the Gospel, Jesus does a kind thing for his good friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. What did Jesus say to the disciples when he heard that his friend Lazarus was sick? Why was Martha sad when Jesus arrived to Martha, Mary and Lazarus house? What did Jesus say to Martha? What happened when Jesus went to the place where Lazarus was buried? Jesus shows us that he can do all things. How can we show that we believe in Jesus and his promise of everlasting life? April 9 th Palm Sunday We remember Jesus crucifixion and how he died to save our sins. Gospel Introduction (Matthew 21:1-11): In today s Gospel, we remember the last day of Jesus life on Earth. Please use the Passion Gospel Drama. The scripts and supplies are in the cabinet. Why did the people want to crucify Jesus? What did Jesus do before he died? What did the soldier say after Jesus died? How do you think he felt? Remember that Jesus died for every one of us. How can we show Jesus our love and appreciation for what he sacrificed for us? April 16 th Easter Sunday No CLOW April 23 rd 2 nd Sunday of Easter Blessed are they who believe without seeing.
First Reading Introduction (Acts 2:42-47): Today s first reading tells us how the early Christians were a community of love. Gospel Introduction (John 20:19-29): Today s Gospel shows us that Christians are a community of faith faith in the risen Lord. How did the Christians in the first reading live? How did it show that they believed in Jesus? Where were the apostles in the Gospel reading? Why were they afraid? What happened when Jesus came in? Remember that this is happening after Jesus died on the cross. Which apostle wasn t there? What did he say when he found out what happened? When Thomas saw Jesus one week later, what did he say? How we can we show our faith in Jesus? April 30 th 3 rd Sunday of Easter Jesus walks with us every day. How can we share our lives with him? First Reading Introduction (Acts 2:14, 22-28): Today s first reading is from a sermon about the risen Lord that Peter the apostle gave to the people of Jerusalem. Gospel Introduction (Luke 24:13-35): In today s Gospel, we hear about two disciples who left Jerusalem feeling very downhearted after Jesus died on the cross. Listen to how their moods change. What happened when the two disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus? Why didn t they recognize Jesus? What did they tell Jesus? What happened to make the disciples recognize Jesus? Just as Jesus walked with the disciples, he walks with us every day. How can we open our lives to Jesus? May 7 th 4 th Sunday of Easter God calls each one of us to follow him. First Reading Introduction (Acts 2:14, 36-41): In our first reading, the people of Jerusalem want to know what they can do to make up for their part in Jesus death. Listen to how Peter answers them.
Gospel Introduction (John 10:1-5, 10): In the Gospel, John tells us we are his sheep and he is our shepherd. How does a shepherd care for its sheep? How is Jesus like a shepherd to his people? Peter taught the people of Israel about Jesus. Who helps us to learn about Jesus and hear his word? Today is Vocation Day. Vocation means a calling. Today we pray that men and women will want to become shepherds of the church as teachers, ministers and members of the religious community. Jesus calls some of us to lead his people. Let s pray for these people who are called today. May 14 th 5 th Sunday of Easter (Mother s Day) Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He is one with God our heavenly father. First Reading Introduction (Acts 6:1-7): Our first reading tells us about what the disciples did one day when they realized they needed more help running the early church. Gospel Introduction (John 14:1-12): In today s Gospel, we hear Jesus talking with his disciples at the Last Supper on the night before he died. What did Jesus tell his disciples? What did he mean when he said he was preparing a place for us? What did Jesus mean when he said he was the way? How can we live the way Jesus lived and follow his teachings? Today we remember our mothers. How are they important in our lives and guide us? How can we show our love to our mothers, especially today? May 21 st Sixth Sunday of Easter God loves each one of us. He wants us to love one another just as He loves us. First Reading Introduction (Acts 8:5-8, 14-17): In today s first reading, we hear about how the people of Samaria first heard about Jesus and received the Holy Spirit. Gospel Introduction (John 14:15-21): In today s Gospel, we hear Jesus promise his disciples that he will send them the Holy Spirit after he returns to the Father.
Jesus said Love one another as I have loved you. What did he mean by this? What are some examples of how we show our love for others? Is it always easy to love others? What we can we do to live like true Christians, sharing God s love with others? May 28 th 7 th Sunday of Easter (Memorial Day weekend) Prayer helps us to talk to God. First Reading Introduction (Acts 1:12-14): In today s first reading, we hear about the disciples praying. Gospel Introduction (John 17:1-11): In today s Gospel, we hear Jesus praying just before he dies. In the first reading, who was gathered in the room praying? In the Gospel, what did Jesus say in his prayer? What did Jesus say eternal life is? What does it mean to know God and to know Jesus? What is the difference between knowing about someone and really knowing someone? How can we really know God and Jesus? June 4 th - Pentecost Color: Red Pentecost Sunday celebrates the Holy Spirit coming to the disciples. We learn about the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit helps us. First Reading Introduction(Acts 2:1-8, 11b): Listen to what happens when the disciples receive the Holy Spirit. Gospel Introduction (John 20:19-23): In today s Gospel, Jesus gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. What are some symbols of the Holy Spirit that we hear in the first reading? What power does the Holy Spirit give to the people in the first reading? When Jesus gives the power of the Holy Spirit to the disciples, what does it allow them to do? How can we use the power of the Holy Spirit to forgive others?
June 11 th Trinity Sunday We celebrate the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, our Holy Trinity of three parts to One God. First Reading Introduction(Romans 8:14-17): In the first reading, we hear the importance of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as our one God. Gospel Introduction (Matthew 28:16-20): In our Gospel, Jesus sends his disciples out to preach God s message. What does Jesus ask the disciples to do? We are disciples of Jesus as well how can we also teach others Jesus message? Whenever we make the sign of the cross, we remember our Holy Trinity and that we are baptized as Christians. Make the sign of the cross remembering God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. What happens when someone is baptized? Whenever we make the sign of the cross, we are remembering our baptism when we became children of God. How can we truly live as children of God? June 18 th Body and Blood of Christ (Father s Day) God is always ready to forgive us when we are truly sorry. First Reading Introduction (1 Corinthians 11:23-26): In our first reading, we remember the Last Supper when Jesus was with his disciples. Gospel Introduction (John 6:35, 51-56): In our Gospel, we hear how Jesus is the bread of life. What special meal do we share together during mass on Sunday? What do we remember during Communion? When we receive Holy Communion, we say that we believe in Jesus by saying Amen. How can we show that we believe in Jesus? Today we celebrate our fathers. What are some ways our fathers care for us? How can we show our love to our fathers?