Motivational Monday
St. Alphonsus Church Nurturing Our Faith At Home 5/25
The Ascension of the Lord
This Week’s Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20
Some thoughts on today's scripture from Sacred Space:
- Today, as we celebrate the feast of the Ascension of Jesus, I am invited to reflect on this event. What does it mean for me? Perhaps, like some of the disciples in today’s Gospel, I am doubtful. I talk to Jesus very honestly about my doubts, knowing he will understand. I notice that he gives the same mission to those who believe and those who doubt.
- I note Jesus’ final words: “I am with you always.” I hear these words now addressed to me: “I am with you always, I am with you at this moment, no matter what is going on in your life right now. I am with you.”
Enjoy praying this Lectio Devina on Sunday's Gospel
Click below for Sunday, May 24 Children's Liturgy of the Word
Click below for a printable May Catholic Kids Bulletin
Go Make Disciples!
Because of Jesus’ authority, He commanded His disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel, the good news about Him. The Great Commission is not just for missionaries far from home. All believers are called to share the gospel with others, teach them to obey God’s commands, and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus finishes His commission with a profound promise: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
Talk to your kids you teach them about the importance of living out the Great Commission. The good news about what Jesus has done to rescue us from our sins is too great to keep to ourselves. Before Jesus went back to heaven, He gave the disciples a job to do. Jesus wants His followers to teach people everywhere about Jesus so they will trust in Him as their Lord and Savior.
Tired of being cooped up in the house? Well...get up and sing and dance to "Go and Make Disciples"!
Click below for activity sheets!
Bible Verse to Learn Today
How can I be a disciple of Jesus?
Keep it going and see how happy you will be in a few weeks when you look back and see all the wonderful ways you were a disciple of Jesus. Good job!
Let's get to know our faith better so we can be disciples for Christ!
Let's face it, you spend a great deal of time on your smartphone. Let's use them to enrich our faith!
Witness and Testimony Podcasts
Do Something Beautiful with Leah Darrow
Leah Darrow shares stories of people in the world who are doing something beautiful for Christ and encourages listeners to do something beautiful for Christ with their own lives.
How-To Catholic with Lisa & Kevin Cotter
Do you love how-to videos on Youtube? Well if you do, you’ll love this podcast from Lisa and Kevin Cotter. They conquer every question about how to live the Catholic life, as well as why and how to do anything in life from a Catholic perspective.
This Catholic Life
This is a podcast that my friend Josh and I started where we invite guests to share testimonies and stories about people living an inspiring Catholic life to the fullest.
Dive Deeper Into Mass
Daily Readings From The New AMERICAN Bible by the USCCB
This podcast is a great way to dive deeper into prayer and the celebration of the Mass. With this podcast, you can prepare yourself for any Mass (Sunday Mass or daily Mass) by listening to the the readings ahead of time. They post all of the monthly mass readings a month in advance!
Bishop Robert Barron Sermons
Bishop Robert Barron broadcasts his weekly homilies for us to listen to and reflect on. There are so many mic drop moments, so prepare to get pumped to live the Gospel.
UMD Newman Catholic Campus Ministry with Fr. Mike Schmitz
This podcast broadcasts homilies preached by Fr. Michael Schmitz, chaplain for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Catholic Campus Ministry. No matter if you’re in college or not, Fr. Mike’s homilies are powerful and will definitely get you thinking about what God is trying to speak to you through the Sunday Mass readings.
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday with Mark Hart
Life Teen’s Mark Hart sits down with you on this podcast, reflecting on the upcoming Sunday’s Mass readings and discussing how they apply to our life.
Dive Deeper Into the Catholic Faith
Catholic Stuff You Should Know
In January of 2010, Pope Benedict XVI asked young people to use technology for the New Evangelization. This request, colliding with the introduction to the podcast concept, led to the creation of Catholic Stuff You Should Know. The style and format were entirely hijacked from the professional, well-researched, and rather humorless podcast, Stuff You Should Know. The style has been coined “consciously unprofessional.” The hosts are not radio talents, but regular guys who happen to be Catholic priests. They produce a weekly podcast of what they call “lighthearted explorations into various prominent and obscure Catholic topics.”
Pints with Aquinas with Matt Fradd
Ever want to sit down with St. Thomas Aquinas (he is a saint who was pretty smart at all things theology, check out his Summa Theologica if you’re feeling daring)? Well in this podcast, Matt Fradd sits down and discusses topics he’d address if he had a chance to talk with St. Thomas Aquinas himself.
Family Dinner Discussions
Pray as a Family
Discipleship Prayer
Good and Gracious God,
Your Son, Jesus Christ,
invites all people to follow him
and become his disciples.
Touch our hearts, enlighten our minds,
and stir our spirit.
Help us daily to take up our cross
and follow him;
by living his Word
and proclaiming his Good News
to those around us.
May our faith in you increase,
may our hunger for the Gospel intensify,
and may our parish be strengthened
as we learn to love one another
as he has loved us.
For this we pray, Amen.