1. Sunday, November 16, 2025  (33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time)

 

Take a minute to consciously acknowledge that you are in the presence of God and ask him to help you to hear the Word he wants you to hear this week.

 

Here’s a link to Sunday, November 16th readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111625.cfm

Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and warns his followers that persecution will come before the end time.

 

Read together this Gospel, Luke 21:5-19 and discuss the following questions together.

1. How do you think Jesus’ fellow Jews react to his assertion that the Jerusalem temple will be destroyed?

2. What events could make people think that Jesus’ prophecy is coming true?

3. What does Jesus warn his followers will happen to them?

4. In today's Gospel, Jesus describes some terrible events but reminds us of God's care for us always. Share a time when you felt God's care during a difficult time.

5. Jesus warns that his followers will face persecution for their beliefs. Share a time when you were teased or mistreated for your beliefs.

6. Do you think it is easy to trust God when difficult things happen? Why or why not?

​​

* Read about it

• Servant of God Thea Bowman (Feast Day March 30)

 

December 29, 1937-March 30, 1990

Born and raised in Canton, Mississippi, Bertha Elizabeth Bowman was the daughter of a physician and a teacher. She converted to Catholicism as a child, after learning about the faith from her teachers, who were Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, and Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity. Bertha was drawn to the example of how Catholics love and care for each other, but most notably, she knew that God was indeed the God of the poor and oppressed.

At the age of 15, Bertha left her home in Mississippi to enter the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. She was the only African American member in the convent and took the name Sister Mary Thea. Sister Thea was inspired by the Second Vatican Council to rediscover her African American religious heritage and spirituality; she used her knowledge of her culture to inform her work in service to the Gospel. She became a highly acclaimed evangelist, teacher, writer, and singer, known for enriching the message of God's love with the beauty of her African American culture. Sr. Thea was instrumental in the 1987 publication of Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal.

When she returned to her hometown to care for her aging parents, Sr. Thea worked with the Diocese of Jackson to build intercultural awareness in the Church. She gave inspirational presentations to Black congregations all over the United States and the world, calling Catholics to celebrate their differences and retain their cultures in a way that was faithful to the Church and celebrated being one in Christ. Sr. Thea died in 1990 after a six-year battle with breast cancer.

​

* Family Challenge

Memorial Stones

 

Create a memorial stone for a loved one who has passed. You may place it at their headstone in the cemetery or even in a special place in a garden bed at your home.

​

End in Prayer

 

One Day at a Time

This prayer reminds us to ask for God's wisdom when things feel overwhelming.

Lord,
I know you love me
and have great plans for me.
But sometimes I am overwhelmed
by the thought of my future.
Show me how to walk forward
one day at a time.
May I take heart while I search openly
for what it is you want me
to do with my life.
Inspire in me wisdom and understanding
to see your vision for my life
and respond with openness to
whatever you call me to be.
Show me your way Lord!

Amen.

​

***********************************************************

 

2. 30 Seconds of Prayer

 

How often do you pray? You may think prayer is too time consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. Build in thirty-second prayer times throughout your day and see what happens.  

1. Begin with prayer:  Loving Father, I come before You with a heart overflowing with gratitude. Each day is a gift from You, filled with blessings big and small. Thank You for the gift of life, the love of family and friends, and the beauty of creation that surrounds me. Teach me to recognize Your goodness in all circumstances, even when life seems difficult. Help me cultivate a thankful heart, remembering that every good and perfect gift comes from You. May my words and actions reflect the gratitude I feel, and may I always find joy in praising Your holy name. Amen 

2. Discuss as a family: How much of your day do you spend in prayer? Five minutes? Twenty minutes? An hour? Many people struggle to find time to spend with God, but it doesn’t have to be a struggle. For one day, try making prayer a part of your regular routine. 

3. Throughout your day, incorporate 30-second prayers into your routine. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

• Hitting the snooze? Say a quick prayer of thanks for another day. 

• At the computer? Pray for God to remind you of good posture. 

• Driving somewhere? Pray for safe travel. 

• Road rage? Pray for God to help you remain calm and drive smart. 

• Lunch? Give thanks for your food. 

• Deadline? Pray for God to help you focus long enough to meet it. 

• Argument with someone? Pray for God to help you resolve it reasonably and swiftly. 

• Time with a friend? Pray for God to bless your time together. 

• Annoyed? Pray for God to help change the situation or change your attitude. 

4. Watch the video The busy Catholics guide to finding time to pray: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drCIUGt0OA8  Discuss your thoughts from the video.

5. Come back together another day and reflect on how these 30-second prayers made a difference in your day. Did they help you remain more focused or help keep your emotions under control? How might your life be changed if you incorporated prayer into each part of your day on a regular basis? 

​

***********************************************************

 

3. Sunday, November 23, 2025 (The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)

Take a minute to consciously acknowledge that you are in the presence of God and ask him to help you to hear the Word he wants you to hear this week.

 

Here’s a link to Sunday, November 23rd’s  readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfm

Jesus is crucified under the title King of the Jews.

 

Read together this Gospel, Luke 23:35-43 and discuss the following questions together.

1. How might the two men have responded after Jesus made his promise?

2. How have you behaved like the various people in this passage?

3. What kind of king is Jesus?

4. In today's Gospel story, the people who do not recognize Jesus as King treat him cruelly. Do you think people today recognize Jesus as King? Why or why not?

5. Which of the two criminals in today's story treated Jesus as King?

6. What does it mean to put your life under Jesus' authority? How does this shape your actions and behaviors?

​

*  Fun Facts

Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln was president. 

 

*  Liturgy Link

Today's Gospel tells us about the inscription on the cross. Find a crucifix in your church and see if you can find the inscription. What are the four letters you see? These letters represent the Latin inscription, Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.

 

*  Family Challenge

Consider inviting someone who may be alone or new to the area to join you for Thanksgiving dinner or another time this week. Alternatively, look into ways to serve those in need on Thanksgiving by donating food to a food pantry or soup kitchen.

 

End in Prayer

​

Thanksgiving Prayer

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.

We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.

 

***********************************************************

 

4. Thanksgiving Stories

 

When families gather for holiday celebrations, treasured family stories are often told. This activity highlights the ritual and tradition of family storytelling and captures it for generations to come.   

1. Begin with prayer: God, we know the power of a story. In Scripture we read the stories of your faithfulness, grace, and love. Today, as we gather as a family, we give thanks for being a part of your story as we live our lives for you. Be with us as we celebrate the stories we share as a family and helps us to recognize these stories as signs of your blessings in our lives. Amen.

2. Have a notebook or a couple sheets of paper with this Scripture verse on it: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ~Deuteronomy 6:4-5                                                    

3. Read the above Scripture to everyone

4.  Have everyone to think of one family story that is an example of God’s love at work in your family and to write it in the notebook/paper when it is passed to them. Gather later in the day to read the stories.

​​

***********************************************************

 

5. Sunday, November 30, 2025 (1st Sunday of Advent)

​

Take a minute to consciously acknowledge that you are in the presence of God and ask him to help you to hear the Word he wants you to hear this week.

 

Here’s a link to Sunday, November 30th’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm

Jesus tells his disciples that the coming of the Son of Man will catch many people unprepared. Jesus tells his disciples that they are to always be ready for the day of the Lord.

 

Read together this Gospel, Matthew 24:37-44 and discuss the following questions together.

1. Share a time when you prepared for a special event or activity.

2. Jesus wants us to be prepared for the day he comes back to earth. What are some things we can do to be prepared and ready for Jesus?

3. What are some ways your family can make Advent more meaningful this year?

 

*  Liturgy Link

The person who helps set up for Mass is called a sacristan. The sacristan prepares the vessels and the bread and wine to be used in the liturgy. Sometimes, the sacristan assists during Mass as well. 

Did you see a sacristan today? Would you like to be a sacristan one day?

​

*  Family Fun

Make a Jesse Tree

A Jesse Tree is a collection of 24 ornaments that tell key parts of the story of salvation from creation to Jesus's birth. There is an ornament for each day, and a passage or story from the Bible that corresponds with it. There are many online resources that provide printable templates for your Jesse Tree with the Scripture passages and symbols associated with them. Jesse Trees can be super simple or super complex. Choose a method that best suits your family.

 

*  Family Challenge

Consider setting up a family Advent wreath. Sit around it as a family and share how you will prepare for Christ during the Advent season this year.

 

End in Prayer

​

Prayer for the beginning of Advent

 

Lord, send down Your Spirit to guide me during Advent this year. May the Holy Spirit help me journey closer to You and lift me up when I feel down and lead me when I feel lost. I may stumble at times, but I know my ultimate journey is to draw closer to You and build Your kingdom here on earth–a kingdom that Jesus’s birth, life and death helped secure. Amen.

​

***********************************************************