1. Sunday, October 12, 2025 (28th 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, October 12th’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101225.cfm

Jesus heals 10 lepers, and one, the Samaritan, returns to give thanks.

Read together this Gospel, Luke 17:11-19 and discuss the following questions together.

​

1. What reasons might the nine lepers have for not going back to Jesus?

2. The ten lepers cried out to Jesus to heal them, and he did. Do you think Jesus would have healed them if they hadn't asked? Why or why not?

3. Does Jesus still heal people today?

4. In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us that it is important to be thankful to God. What is one thing you are thankful for today?

 

* Read about it

• Saint Carlo Acutis (Feast Day October 12) 

Carlo Acutis (1991–2006) was an English-born Italian Catholic teenager who became the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church. His life, though brief, has inspired millions—especially young people—through his deep faith, love for the Eucharist, and creative use of technology.

Saint Carlo Acutis was born in London and eventually moved to Milan, Italy. While his family was not particularly religious at the time, Carlo demonstrated great interest in Catholic churches from a young age. He was commonly observed praying before and after Mass at the Tabernacle. He also went to Confession weekly. He enjoyed visiting Assisi and the tomb of St. Francis.

In addition to his love for the Church, Carlo was like other kids his age and loved playing video games and soccer. He was very interested in computers and taught himself how to code and build websites for Catholic organizations. His most popular website listed Eucharistic miracles from around the world based on a catalog he had worked to compile since age 11. He completed the site shortly before his death. Carlo was also known to give away his pocket money to the poor, to speak up in defense of the disabled, and he had a habit of inviting kids whose parents were divorcing to his house to support them.

When Carlo developed leukemia as a teenager, he said, "I offer all the suffering I will have to suffer for the Lord, the Pope, and the Church." As part of his devotion, Carlo asked his parents to take him to various Eucharistic shrines, although his declining health made travel increasingly difficult. Carlo died on October 12, 2006, at age 15.

Exactly four years to the day after his death, his mother gave birth to twins, which she attributed to her son's intercession. A miracle was attributed to Carlo in November of 2019 when a seven-year-old child born with a pancreatic defect was miraculously cured. Carlo was beatified in Assisi on October 10, 2020.

• His witness led to conversions, including his Hindu nanny who became Catholic. His relics and exhibitions have traveled globally, inspiring youth in places like Vietnam, Brazil, and the Philippines.

• He’s remembered for his charity, humility, and joyful spirit—playing soccer, coding, and helping the poor.

Carlo’s story is a powerful reminder that holiness is possible in everyday life—even in jeans and sneakers. 

Carlo Acutis was canonized on September 7, 2025 at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City by Pope Leo XIV. He was canonized alongside Pier Giorgio Frassati, marking a historic moment as both young laymen became saints together.

• Discuss as a family: Saint Carlo Acutis used his interest in computers to help others learn about the faith. How can you use technology to glorify God?

 

* Family Challenge

Like the leper who returned to thank Jesus, take time each day this week to thank God for the blessings of your day. Consider using bedtime as a time to review your day and count your blessings.

 

End in Prayer

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of family. Bind us together in love and understanding, and help us to overcome conflicts with grace and forgiveness. May Your peace reign in our hearts and home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

​

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

 

2. Musical Moments

Music, like God, is an intangible mystery that speaks to us in deep and profound ways. Get to know a different side of family members by sharing music that has been influential in your life.  

• Have each family member bring one or two songs that have been influential in their life 

1. Begin with prayer: God of mystery, it’s difficult to describe how music can touch our souls in such profound ways. As we are open to music’s influence in our lives, let us always be open to the mystery that is You. Help us to be open to hearing your voice in the music that has shaped us. Thank you for this unbelievable gift. Amen. 

2. Have each family member share one song that has influenced them

• When presenting the song, have family members introduce it using answers to these questions:

• Who wrote it and what’s it called?

• What was going on in your life when you first heard this song?

• How does the song speak to you? 

• Any favorite lyrics or parts of the song? 

1. Close by proclaiming Psalm 95:1 together and listening to the song “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever” on YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeCwwaciAA8 

​

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

 

3. Images of God Today

When we think of God, it’s easy to imagine the God of Abraham or the God of Sarah. We can find countless historical images of God. God can sometimes seem old and out of date. Together, talk about images of God and which images resonate with each family member. 

1. Begin with prayer:  God, we thank you for being in our lives. Help us to find images that encourage us to connect with you more. Amen. 

2. Someone read Exodus 34:5-7 aloud.

“The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.’" 

​

3. Someone read 1 Corinthians 14:33 aloud, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” 

 

4. Discuss:  What does God look like to you? Why? OR Identify a trait or feeling that best describes God.

 

5. Read the following Scripture passages and discuss and write the description of God from that verses.
 

• Exodus 34:5-7

• Deuteronomy 4:24

• Deuteronomy 4:31

• Deuteronomy 9:3

• Deuteronomy 20:4

• Psalms 48:14

• Psalms 54:4

• Psalms 62:7-8

• Matthew 22:32

• John 4:24

• 1 Corinthians 14:33

• 1 John 1:5

• 1 John 4:16 

 

6. Discuss the following questions:

• What did you discover about images of God from these scripture passages?

• Which images did you like best? Why?

• Which images made you most uncomfortable? Why?

• How do you make sense of different images of God presented by different scripture passages? 

 

7. Search images of God on the internet. Look at the different images of God from your search. What patterns do you see? Which images do you like best? Which do you not like? Why? 

 

8. Talk about images of God today. What does God look like today? Why? How is God relevant today? Why? 

​

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

 

4. Sunday, October 26, 2025 (30th 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, October 26th’s  readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102625.cfm

Jesus tells the parable of the proud Pharisee who prayed from his self-importance and the tax collector who prayed humbly.

 

Read together this Gospel, Luke 18: 9-14 and discuss the following questions together.

1. In today's Gospel story, one person is proud, and the other is humble. Which one is Jesus lifting up as an example of prayer? Explain your answer.

2. Why is the tax collector (rather than the Pharisee) the more unlikely person to be an example of prayer?

3. God knows when we are doing things just for show, and when they come from the goodness of our heart. When have you caught yourself doing something just to be more popular or liked? How does it feel to do something that you know is good and just?

4. Think of a person you know who is humble. Describe this person to your family and share why you like him/her.

​

*  Fun Facts

In Jesus' time, the Roman government collected taxes from people who lived in their territories. Tax collectors were known to overcharge people so they could keep the extra money for themselves. That's why they were hated by the Jews. 

 

*  Liturgy Link

When the tax collector prayed, he acknowledged his sin and asked God for mercy. 

At what point during Mass do we do the same?

 

*  Family Fun

Vocation Charades

Have everyone think about their dream job or vocational calling. On separate slips of paper, write the top three jobs or vocations that they think would make them happy. Parents are invited to dream about a new career. Place the slips of paper in a bowl, and let the charades begin. One person takes a slip from the bowl and acts out the job/vocation. Everyone else guesses the answer. Before the next turn, discuss who you think wrote that career down, and invite the person who did to share why they chose it. 

 

End in Prayer

​

Litany of Mercy

Pray this as a family imitating the tax collector in today's Gospel. Divine Mercy is a form of God's compassion.

 

Respond with “I trust in you” after each phrase

Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the heart of the Father
Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God
Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery
Divine Mercy, from which comes all life and happiness
Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders
Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe
Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of Jesus
Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus
Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners
Divine Mercy, in the founding of the Holy Church
Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ
Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life
Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death
Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life
Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life
Divine Mercy, shielding us from evil
Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery
Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy
Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts
Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls
Divine Mercy, peace amidst fear
Divine Mercy, delight of holy souls
Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope

Let us pray:

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.

​

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