“Cell phones, emails, faxes, texts, and voice mails can reduce our lives to a continual series of interrupted moments. Listen to Jesus in today’s Gospel: ‘You are anxious about many things’ robbing us of the precious time needed to be with others. Quality time is quantity time.”

“Children learn by watching us. Do they see you helping others like the Good Samaritan, or do they see you avoiding others like the Levite in today’s gospel? Worry more about what your children see in your life than what they see on TV.”

“Just like the seventy two disciples sent out by Jesus in today’s gospel, families are expected to be missionaries. By our lives, words, and life style, we proclaim peace, commitment, fidelity, and respect to a culture caught up with violence and gratification.”

“Today’s Gospel reminds us once we set our ‘hand to the plow’ of parenting and marriage, ‘We cannot look back.’ This is what commitment means: we have said yes to what was, what is, and to what can be.”

“In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches we will find abundance by sharing the little we have. No matter how little time, money, or food we have, it is enough to share.”

June 12, 2022 – Trinity Sunday (John 16:12-15)

“The words of Jesus in today’s gospel, ‘I have many things to say to you, but you cannot hear them now,’ could have been said by any parent. It can be frustrating because our desire to guide is often misinterpreted or poorly received. We cannot program our children. We can only teach, lead, and trust the Spirit of truth will guide them.”

June 5, 2022 – Pentecost (John 14:15-16, 23b-26)

“Today’s Gospel tells us God actually wants to take up residence in your family. ‘We will come and make our home with you.’ Every family is called to be a tabernacle where God dwells. Is Jesus a permanent member of your family, or a temporary guest? Today, the promise is given. The choice is ours.”

May 29, 2022 – Seventh Sunday of Easter (John 17:20-26)

“Jesus tells us today, ‘you are my witnesses’ and guarantees the ‘promise of the Father’ to ‘clothe us with the power’ to accomplish this mission. It is not worldly power which dominates and manipulates. It is the power of the Kingdom of God to live in peace, forgiveness, compassion, service to others, love of enemies, and care for the poor and defenseless.”

May 26, 2022 – Ascension of the Lord (Luke 24:46-53)

“Jesus tells us today, ‘you are my witnesses’ and guarantees the ‘promise of the Father’ to ‘clothe us with the power’ to accomplish this mission. It is not worldly power which dominates and manipulates. It is the power of the Kingdom of God to live in peace, forgiveness, compassion, service to others, love of enemies, and care for the poor and defenseless.”

May 22, 2022 – Sixth Sunday of Easter (John 14:23-29)

“Jesus gives this advice: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.’ Worry and anxiety can consume our lives preventing us from seeing the love which surrounds us and binds us to one another. Don’t miss the forest for the trees. We are living today what we worried about yesterday.”

May 15, 2022 – Fifth Sunday of Easter (John 13:31-33a, 34-35)

“In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: ‘Love one another.’ Love holds a family together. It is not what a family does which makes it outstanding, rather it is what it has, love for one another.”

May 8, 2022 – Fourth Sunday of Easter (John 10:27-30)

“Today’s Gospel reminds us to be shepherds for our children who depend on us to be their guides and role models. Where are we leading them? When they “hear our voice”, what message do they hear?”

May 1, 2022 – Third Sunday of Easter (John 21:1-19)

“Jesus invited the disciples to ‘Come and have breakfast.’ At this beach breakfast and at the Last Supper, Jesus teaches us meals should be more than eating. Family meals are opportunities to share prayer, listen to each other’s stories, understand, and support one another.”

April 24, 2022 – Second Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday (John 20:19-31)

“Jesus connects peace and forgiveness in today’s Gospel. In our families, we will only ever experience peace to the extent we forgive one another. Peace is purchased with the currency of forgiveness. When we allow our anger and pride to lock out others, we also lock out peace and harmony.”

April 17, 2022 – Easter Sunday (John 20:1-9)

“Millions of Christians around the world celebrate the Resurrection today. It all began simply on the first Easter with one person telling another: ‘Mary told Peter’ and ‘they believed.’ Faith is passed from one person to another; it is caught, not taught, and parents are the most effective persons to pass faith to their children.”

April 10, 2022 – Passion/Palm Sunday (Luke 22:14-23:56)

“Today, Jesus tells us, ‘I am among you as one who serves.’ In accepting the palm branch today, you publicly confirm your baptismal promise to follow Jesus as ‘one who serves.’ Selfless service defines a family as Christian.”

April 3, 2022 – Fifth Sunday of Lent (John 8:1-11)

“Stoning is not just an ancient act of violence. Each day in our homes we throw stones of ridicule, criticism, name-calling, and put-downs. All of it is deadly. Hear Jesus in today’s Gospel: ‘Whoever is without sin can throw the first stone.’ Rid your home of violence. Stop verbal stoning!”

March 27, 2022 – Fourth Sunday of Lent (Luke 15:1-3)

“We may feel like the Prodigal Son, but the Gospel wants us to focus on the father who was forgiving and understanding. We all make mistakes and need forgiveness. Who in your family needs your forgiveness and acceptance this Lent?”

March 20, 2022 – Third Sunday of Lent (Luke 13:1-9)

“The owner of the fig tree was impatient because the tree did not live up to his expectations. In families, there are those who don’t live up to our expectations. Imitate the gardener and give them more time and help. Don’t cut them out of your life. Love asks us to be connected, not productive.”

March 13, 2022 – Second Sunday of Lent (Luke 9:28b-36)

“Jesus ‘went up the mountain to pray’ and he was ‘changed.’ Prayer has the power to change us. This Lent, set aside a few minutes each day to pray for members of your family. Pray before each meal, and if you are married, spend five minutes in prayer together.”

March 6, 2022 – First Sunday of Lent (Luke 4:1-13)

“Jesus ‘was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.’ What is the wilderness in your life to which the Holy Spirit is leading you this Lent? Perhaps there are uncharted areas in your marriage or family relationships. Spend this Lent in your ‘wilderness’ with God’s work. Where is the Spirit leading you this Lent?”

February 27, 2022 – Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 6:39-45)

“Today, Jesus tells us: “Why do you seek the speck in someone else’s eye but miss the log in your own eye?’ It’s always easier to try to change someone else than face the things in ourselves which need change. What a waste of time, for we can’t change anyone but ourselves.”

February 20, 2022 – Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 6:27-38)

“In studying the effects of religion upon family relationships, researchers inform us hostility and prayer can’t coexist. You cannot be hostile toward someone for whom you are praying. Today’s Gospel encourages us: ‘Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who treat you badly.’ “

February 13, 2022 – Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 6:17, 20-26)

“Don’t look very far when you hear today’s Gospel speak of poverty, sorrow, or exclusion. These things happen in families. Children feel ‘insulted’ when they are constantly criticized. Spouses ‘hunger’ for affection. Grandparents feel ‘excluded’ by divorce and custody decisions. Parents ‘weep’ because they feel alienated from their children.”

February 6, 2022 – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 5:1-11)

“In today’s Gospel, Jesus asked Simon to start by ‘going a short distance.’ Later, he asked Simon to ‘go into deeper water.’ The first step toward reconciliation is usually a ‘short distance’ which gives us the courage to go further ‘into deeper water.’ Reconciliation starts with the first short step!”

January 30, 2022 – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 4:21-30)

“Mary and Joseph must have been proud when their village ‘all spoke well of Jesus and were amazed at his words.’ But they probably felt shame when the same people drove him out of town. Like Mary and Joseph, the highs and lows of parenting are our path to being a Holy Family.”

January 23, 2022 – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-2)

“In today’s Gospel, Jesus was ‘praised by all’ except at home in Nazareth where the ‘eyes of all were intently on him.’ Acceptance can be hard to find at home due to unreal expectations. Jesus challenges us to ‘proclaim liberty’ to anyone ‘oppressed’ or ‘captive’ by our expectations.”

January 16, 2022 – Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 2:1-11)

“At Cana, we get a good insight into Mary’s parenting style. She did not plead, argue, demand, or manipulate. She merely pointed out the situation and trusted her son would make the best decision.”

January 9, 2022 – Baptism of the Lord (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus was publicly affirmed by his Father: ‘You are my beloved son, with you I am very pleased.’ As parents, we can become so focused on misbehaviors, we overlook the good behaviors. Jesus needed affirmation and so do our children.”

January 2, 2022 – Epiphany (Matthew 2:1-12)

“After meeting Jesus, the Magi returned home by ‘another way.’ What in your family needs to be done ‘another way?’ Do you need ‘another way’ to resolve differences, to communicate, or show affection? This is a new year, time to change what isn’t working. Take a tip from some wise men: there’s always ‘another way.’ “

January 1, 2022 – Mary, Mother of God (Luke 2:16-21)

“The Gospel tells us ‘Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.’ We would do well to imitate Mary in our New Year’s resolution. Instead of criticizing, let’s ‘keep it in our hearts.’ Criticism isn’t productive or well-received, anyway!”