Things to talk about:

• In what way does this Gospel reading explain our belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist?
• Why is receiving the Eucharist special to you? Share a time when you felt Jesus powerfully present after receiving the Eucharist.
• In what way have you been Eucharist for others?

Things to do:

• Ask each family member who has received their First Communion to recall their feelings on that special day. What details can you remember?
• For younger kids, create a Monstrance craft, click HERE.
• As a family work on this True Presence craft, click HERE.
• Make bread today and connect to this Gospel.
• As a family, listen to the song I Am Yours—Consume Me Completely. You should be able to find the song on YouTube or wherever you stream music. Reflect on what these lyrics say about the Eucharist.
• Find a time to go to Eucharistic Adoration as a family this week. Prepare ahead of time by explaining what Eucharistic Adoration is and what to do when you get there.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord Jesus, who in the Eucharist make your dwelling among us and become our travelling companion,
sustain Our Christian communities so that they may be ever more open to listening
and accepting your Word.
May they draw from the Eucharist a renewed commitment to spreading in society,
by the proclamation of your Gospel, the signs and deeds of an attentive and active charity.

Lord Jesus: give us your joy, give us your peace. Stay with us, Lord!
You alone have the words of eternal life!

[Taken from a Homily Pope John Paul II gave in Cremona, Italy, June 21,1992; Printed in L’Osservatore Romano July 15, 1992]

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

Today’s feast is also called “Corpus Christi,” Latin for the body of Christ.

This Gospel invites deep reflection on the mystery of the Eucharist. It is truly wondrous that Jesus comes to us individually and as community directly and completely through the simple gifts of bread and wine. This bread and wine are given by Jesus as his Body and Blood in the New Covenant.

The unleavened bread symbolizes that the Hebrew people left Egypt on the night o the tenth plague — they could not wait for their bread to rise. The wine symbolizes the blood of the lamb that the Hebrew people used to mark the outside of their front door so that the angel of death would “pass over” the Hebrew children. At the Passover meal at the Last Supper, Jesus does not use the traditional Passover language. Instead he says the bread is his body and the wine is his blood. Jesus states a new covenant between the people and God. The new covenant is an extension of that promise of salvation to all.

Every time we received the consecrated bread and wine during the celebration of the Mass, we are receiving Jesus himself. The resurrected Christ comes to us fully and completely through the sacred transformation of the bread and wine.

At every Mass, the priest uses the exact words that Jesus said at the Last Supper to transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus. These are called the Words of Institution:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it: for this is my body which will be given up for you.

Take this, all of you, and drink from it: for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant. which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in memory of me.

Listen for those words when you attend Mass. After receiving Jesus, we are called to be Eucharist to others.

Did you know?… that on this solemnity, the community of faith often processes with the Blessed Sacrament and has Adoration? At the end of Mass, the priest places the Body of Christ in a display vessel called a monstrance. This is taken in a procession or placed on the altar for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The word “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word, eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving…. and yes, we are so thankful for the gift of Jesus.

Things to talk about:

• We begin and end Mass with the same action. What is it, and how does it relate to today’s feast day?
• How would you describe the three Persons of the Trinity? Draw a picture if it helps.(See video link below)
• Which person of the Trinity do you pray to the most? Explain your answer.
• Jesus commands us to make disciples of all nations. What can your family do to respond to this commission?

Things to do:

• St. Patrick had a strong devotion to the Trinity. He was known to make the Sign of the Cross many times throughout the day, whether in times of trouble or in thanksgiving. Count how many times you make the sign of the cross this week.
• Water Fun – Water reminds us that we are baptized with water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Take some time to play water games today. You can play with water balloons or run through a sprinkler.
• Be aware this week of things that are 3 parts of 1 whole…. an egg, an apple, ice… and discuss how these are similar to our belief in the Trinity. (Remember St Patrick used the example of the shamrock to teach about the Trinity?)

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Glory Be

The Glory Be honors the Most Holy Trinity. Reflect on the words of this traditional prayer using the questions below. Have one person read the prayer and reflection question one line at a time. Pause for a minute or two after each line in order to think about the question. Invite family members to share their reflections.

Glory be to the Father – How do I show glory to God?

and to the Son – How would I describe Jesus to my friends?

and to the Holy Spirit – Where have I seen the Holy Spirit working in my life this past week?

as it was in the beginning – What is my earliest memory of God?

is now – What is God speaking to my heart right now?

and ever shall be world without end. – What do I think Heaven will be like?

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

The Trinity is a very deep mystery with many layers of meaning. This Gospel gives us just a glimpse into the connection among the Persons of the Trinity. Jesus tells us he will send the Spirit and the Spirit will take its meaning from Jesus, who received it from the Father.

Watch the video below for some conversation starters with the family about other things that are 3 in 1. The biggest distinction with the Trinity is that 1+1+1=1. Three persons, one God, but each of the three persons is God… that is a mystery!

At Mass, we profess the Creed, which has many statements about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Pray the Creed slowly and discuss what we believe about the Trinity.

The Sign of the Cross, our simplest yet most profound expression of faith, proclaims our believe in the Trinity. Each time we make the Sign of the Cross, we honor God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Did you know?… that the Trinity is one of the mysteries of our faith? We believe that God is one but with three distinct Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Creed articulates our faith in the Trinity.

Things to talk about:

• What is the liturgical color for Pentecost?
• How has the Holy Spirit inspired you or given you courage?
• What’s the difference between the peace that Jesus gives and the peace the world gives?
• Who is the Holy Spirit?
• What is different about someone who allows the Holy Spirit to work in their life?

Things to do:

• Pentecost is the Birthday of the Church. To celebrate make a strawberry short cake, click HERE for recipe ideas.
• Complete this crossword puzzle as a family about Pentecost and the early Church.
• Begin every prayer this week by saying, “Come, Holy Spirit.”
• The Monday after Pentecost is the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, which Pope Francis declared in 2018. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us! As a family pray the Hail Mary on Monday.
• The Holy Spirit is described in many different ways throughout the Scriptures. Find Isaiah 42:1-3, Isaiah 61:1-3 and Joel 3:1-3. Discuss which one best describes the Spirit and why. What qualities of the Spirit do you relate to in each of these passages?

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in your life personally with the prayer from St. Augustine. 

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.

Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.

Name those who need our prayers. All the prayers for Monsignor Pat who celebrates his 50th Anniversary of Ordination on May 18. Thanking God for the gift of his ministry. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

Amazing news! God lives in each and every one of us. On the feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit. God who created the universe dwells within us. The Spirit is our Advocate and our guide throughout our lives. The Holy Spirit transforms us, makes all people one and renews us if we follow where he leads.

Jesus uses two titles for the Holy Spirit, the “Advocate” and the “Spirit of truth.” (In a court of law, an advocate is the lawyer who pleads on behalf of a defendant before the judge. An advocate is also someone who is always in the other person’s corner, looking after them, defending and bringing out the best in them.

By referring to the Holy Spirit as the Advocate, Jesus is telling us that it is the Holy Spirit who is always working within us, guiding and uplifting us. We pray to the Holy Spirit whenever we need help making a difficult decision. The Holy Spirit is a “Spirit of truth” because God is pure truth. Come Holy Spirit, come.

Did you know?… that Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Church? Having received the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ disciples could begin the work of bringing the Good News to all the nations?

Things to talk about:

• What does Jesus command us to do in this Gospel?
• How can we “go and proclaim the Gospel to every creature”?
• Jesus said that great signs will accompany those who proclaim the Gospel. Where does that power come from?

Things to do:

• Decide on one way your family can proclaim the Gospel to your neighbors and friends.
• As a family decide on an area of the world to research: learn about their economy, politics, what sports are played, schools, special holidays, food and culture. Is this an area of the world that needs help and if you could travel there, how could you help? CRS.org is an excellent place to start.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer Over Family Members

Jesus, our Lord, we worship you. You are our brother and our Savior. We look forward to the glory of Heaven, but until that time, you have commissioned us to proclaim the Gospel.

Bless us, Lord, and help us be a blessing to others.

[Pray the following prayer individually over each family member. Invite everyone else to place their hand on the person’s shoulder.]

Bless [name of family member] and give [name] the grace and wisdom he/she needs for this day and strength for carrying out your will. Help [name] proclaim the Good News of Jesus in word and deed today and always.

Help us to always seek you, Lord. We look to you for guidance, strength, and all that we need. Amen.

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

This art print is the end of our art gallery in the classroom hallway, depicting the stories of our faith and salvation. At the Ascension, Jesus commands the apostles and us, “Go and make disciples.” That is the call of our faith, to witness and share the good news of God’s love.

The Ascension does not celebrate Jesus’ leaving but His ability to be present to all people in all places at all times. When Jesus of Nazareth was on earth in his human nature, he experienced life in a limited way. It is part of the human condition that we can be fully present in one place at one time. We’ve all had the experience though of being physically present in one place, but our heart and mind were somewhere else. Jesus’ Ascension affirms that he is no longer bound by time and space.

The Risen Christ is present to us wherever we are and we experience that glorified body most fully within the community that is the Church. The essence of the Great Commission is that for those baptized into Christ, death is not the end but a magnificent beginning.

At the end of Mass, we hear those parting words, telling us that our celebration of Mass has ended but that we are to go forth to live the Gospel by our lives. Go Ye Out!

Things to talk about:

• How do you define love?
• Jesus encourages us to keep his commandments. Is it hard or easy to keep God’s commandments? Explain your answer.
• The words we hear in this Gospel are some of the last words Jesus gives his followers. What do you think your last spoken words might be to those you love?

Things to do:

• Chalk Art -Take some time today to decorate the sidewalk or driveway with messages of faith and encouragement to help your neighbors see the joy you have in Jesus. You can also include an activity to do as they walk by your house such as a hopscotch game, a maze, or another activity.
• Jesus commands us to love one another. Try to be the MOST loving person in your family this week. Invite your family to vote on who was the most loving at the end of the week.
• Ten Commandments and Greatest Commandment – as a family write or draw the Ten Commandments and the Greatest Commandment. Discuss and review each commandment. How can you turn “Thou shall not…. into Thou Shall to live that commandment?

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer for Friends

In this Gospel, Jesus calls us friends. Offer this prayer for the friends in your life.

Lord, please help us to know your friendship in and through the people in our lives. Thank you for blessing us with friends who love us, share our sorrows, laugh with us, encourage us, stand by us in times of need. Bless our friends with health, wholeness, life, and love. We pray especially for (have each person who would like name a situation, particular friend, or relationship for which they would like to pray). Amen.

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

The theme of relationship continues in this Gospel. It is extremely important to Jesus that he communicate the essential things he needs his Apostles to understand. We also are invited to think about his words. As was true of his entire life, Jesus’ final words to his disciples are all about love. He reminds us how much we are loved by God the Father and by him, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Jesus wants us to know beyond any doubt that God does not love us because we do good things. It is because of God’s unconditional love for us that we are able to do good things. God’s love has no strings attached.

Jesus taught many lessons and reaffirmed all of the commandments of his Jewish faith, but he makes it clear to the Apostles that being in relationship with him comes down to one thing — to extend that unconditional love Jesus shows to us to one another, aided by the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit. As followers of Christ, we are called to share “The greatest love of all.”

Do you know …a beautiful way to think about who God is comes from the First Letter of John? “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” 1John 4:16 The original Greek word used for this type of love is agape, which refers to a love that is complete self-gift to another.

The Greatest Commandment

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them [a scholar of the law]^* tested him by asking, Teacher,^* which commandment in the law is the greatest? ”He said to him,^* “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it:^* You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:34-40

Things to talk about:

• What happens to a branch when it is cut off a vine? What is Jesus trying to teach us through this analogy?
• In what way does the story of the vine and the branches describe your relationship with Jesus?
• Jesus says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.” What would you ask of Jesus today?
• Each of us is precious in God’s eyes.  So is the person who is unpopular, ignored or treated badly. From this Gospel teaching, what would Jesus think if we were to exclude or not welcome others?

Things to do:

• Where do you see the images of the vine and the branches around our Church?
• Plan a family planting day. Think about the Gospel as you plant. All of the flowers, leaves are connected to the stem of the plant. As your plant grows, remember the theme “Remain in Me,” Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, we always want to Remain in Him and stay connected and nourished by His great love.
• Invite someone who has stopped going to church to come to Mass with you next week.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ACTS Prayer

This prayer will help you to stay close to Jesus. It has a simple formula using the acronym, ACTS. Spend time reflecting and sharing on the following prayer prompts.

• A—Adoration—I praise You, God, for…
• C—Confession—I am sorry for…
• T—Thanksgiving—I am thankful for…
• S—Supplication—I ask You for…

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

John’s Gospel is noted for the seven “I am” statements that Jesus proclaims before the passion account. Each statement offers us the deep truth about Jesus’ divinity and, therefore about God. Recall when Moses asked God his name in Exodus 3:14. “I am the vine, you are the branches,” is the 7th statement and theme of this Gospel.

             In a vine plant, water, and nutrients flow from the roots of the plant through the stem and into the branches. The more the vine grows, the more branches sprout. We are like the branches on the vine. Jesus gives us “living water” — God’s love and grace so we grow and bear fruit. Just as the branches are connected to the main stem, so our lives are connected deeply with the Risen Christ. We are called as Jesus’ disciples to extend the love and peace of Christ to all we meet because we are all connected. Jesus is working in our lives.

Just like a branch that is severed from the stem or trunk will die and be unable to produce fruit, if we are disconnected from Jesus, we cannot grow or bear fruit. We must Remain in Him. The realization that we are only the branches and sustained by the vine should fill us with deep humility. Life is not about just us but living and witnessing God’s love to all.

Do you know …the image of a vine would be familiar in Jesus’ time. Grapes were harvested to eat and used to make wine. Wine was part of Jesus’ table fellowship, including his first             miracle at Cana. At the Last Supper, the grape becomes the wine, the Blood of Christ.

Things to talk about:

• Compare and contrast the behaviors of the good shepherd and the hired man in today’s Gospel story.
• Sheep rely on their shepherd for everything they need. How do you trust in Jesus and depend on him to give you what you need?
• Why is this image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd such an important one?
• Think about who you can extend the love of the Good Shepherd to this week.

Things to do:

• · The image of sheep reminds us the lambs’ wool is used to make warm clothing. One of the corporal works of mercy is to clothe the naked. Even though the weather is turning warmer, many still have a need for clothing. What donations can your family make to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store? Each morning this week, as you dress for school or work, pray for those who are in need of good clothing.
• Have Shepherd’s Pie with Roasted Potatoes for dinner one night this week, www.kevinandamanda.com/easier-shepherds-pie-with-roasted-potatoes/print-recipe/35342/

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Psalm 23 Meditation

Invite everyone to close their eyes and imagine themselves sitting on the grass in a beautiful meadow by a stream gurgling with cool, clear water. Imagine they feel the warm sun with a gentle breeze blowing. Can they hear the birds signing? Read Psalm 23 slowly. Spend a few minutes in quiet and then ask each person how they felt during the meditation.

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

Jesus uses the image of the Good Shepherd in this Gospel to comfort the Apostles and remind them that he will always be with them.

 The people to whom Jesus ministered implicitly understood how all encompassing the shepherd’s care was. Sheep are incapable of protecting themselves from predators. They also have no sense of direction, if they lose sight of the shepherd, they are lost. The shepherd watches over the flock and leads them to water and grass. He tends to the sheep who get hurt or sick.

When we look at the words Jesus speaks about the “other sheep,” we understand the Church’s emphasis on ecumenism (harmony and unity among all Christians). Jesus became human to save all human beings. We, as disciples, are called to extend the love we have experienced in our hearts to all, no matter who they are.

Do you know That the first people to whom the birth of Jesus was announced by an angel were shepherds? They responded to this good news and joyfully paid homage to the newborn king, Jesus.

Some sheep facts:

• Sheep have a thick coat of wool on their body which is called a fleece.   The fleece can be made into a fiber called yarn.     
• Other parts of the sheep are used to make things such as insulation, baseballs, upholstery, crochet needles, and tennis balls.
• Oil from the wool of sheep is called lanolin and is used to make beauty products such as lotions and creams.
• There are many words to learn when talking about sheep:
• The female sheep is called a ewe.
• A male sheep is called a ram. Rams, which are larger than ewes, and sometimes fight with each other to prove who is the strongest.
• The young sheep are called lambs.
• Sheep eat facing the same direction, always keeping the wind blowing toward them. Each sheep usually keeps two other sheep in sight when feeding.
• Sheep move around in large groups called flocks.
• Sheep farms may have little flocks of 50 to 200 sheep.
•  Larger operations may have 1,000 to 5,000 sheep.
• Little flocks of 10 or fewer sheep may belong to people who like to dye and knit yarn that is made from the sheep’s wool.

Things to talk about:

• Does Jesus’ greeting, “Peace be with you,” sound familiar? Where have you heard this greeting?
• Why did Jesus ask the disciples to look at his hands and his feet?
• What point is Luke trying to make be describing in detail Jesus eating the fish among his disciples?
• How have you experienced a feeling of community in your parish?
• What does receiving the Eucharist mean to you?
• How can you testify to the love and peace of Christ in the ways you speak and act toward others at home? At school? At your activities? At work?

Things to do:

• In this Gospel, the disciples were “incredulous for joy.” Playgrounds bring great joy to children. Celebrate the joy of the season at a playground in your favorite park or a new park, trail or waterfall that you’ve always wanted to visit.
• Outside the Easter season, the first reading is typically from the Old Testament. During the Easter season, the first reading is from which book in the New Testament? (Click the link for Luke above)
• Jesus was made known to them in “the breaking of the bread.” As a family make bread and read the Gospel at your family meal.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Listen and pray for strength, courage and creativity to Testify to Love.

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

In this Gospel, the disciples were initially startled and terrified at Jesus’ appearance, but became “incredulous for joy” as they discovered it was Jesus really with them.  Jesus’ resurrected body was different from his earthly body  — he appeared and vanished instantly, yet he had flesh and bones and he ate food. When we speak of our own resurrection, we don’t know what our glorified bodies will look like but the Gospel reminds us that all that makes us truly ourselves in this world will live on into eternal life.

The scene in this Gospel also reminds us that the sharing of a meal is crucial in building any community, especially the Church. We gather each Sunday to share the Eucharist and it is an opportunity to grown in love for one another and Christ.

At the end of the Gospel, Jesus tells his Apostles that they are witnesses, they have an understanding of the events; they have been with Jesus and heard his preaching, teaching and seen him healing others. The Apostles understand, as we do, that his death was the final act in a life devoted completely to love and obedience to his Father’s will. Jesus has transformed all of creation, delivered us from evil and established the kingdom of God. Jesus wants the Apostles and us to testify to love.

Do you know …throughout the Easter season, The Great 50 Days, we rejoice in our Baptism and our membership in the Church? At Mass, we may celebrate a Sprinkling Rite instead of the  Penitential Rite. We are sprinkled with holy water as a reminder of our Baptism.

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection

 

Easy Artisan Bread

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (one may be whole wheat white)
• 1/2 tsp. yeast
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1.5 cups warm water (100-110 F)

In a bowl, stir all ingredients until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and set at room temperature for 8 to 24 hours. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and form a ball by pulling the dough from the sides to the top. Rest for 30 minutes as you preheat oven to 450 F. Place baking dish with high sides into the oven while preheating. Slash a cross on top of the bread and carefully place into baking dish.

Cover and bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more until golden brown. Cool before slicing.