GraceLink January 1, 2023 The Octave Day of Christmas ********FINAL EDITION********

“Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”

Luke 2:19

Read & Reflect

View the Mass readings, then use the weekly reflection questions and links to enhance your family’s experience of the liturgy.

Go Deeper

Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the full name of our day on the liturgical calendar? (The Octave Day of Christmas, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God)

  2. From which gospel do we hear today? (Luke)

  3. In today’s gospel, who is visiting Mary, Joseph, and the infant in Bethlehem? (the shepherds)

  4. Fill in the blanks: “________ kept all these things, _________________ on them in her __________.” (Mary, reflecting, heart)

  5. What did Mary and Joseph name the baby eight days after he was born in Bethlehem? (Jesus)

  6. How can you be like the shepherds, who told everyone what they had witnessed?

  7. How can you be like Mary, who reflected on everything in her heart?    

Kids Activities

Coloring Page

Christmas Crossword

Bible Bag: Kid-sized lesson on the Sunday Gospel

Resource Links for Catholic Parents

Questions or Comments?

We’d love to hear from you! Please contact Stephanie Lloyd at stephanielloyd@olgparish.org or fill out the form below with any questions or feedback you’d like to share with us.

GraceLink December 25, 2022 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”

Luke 2:10-11

Read & Reflect

View the Mass readings, then use the weekly reflection questions and links to enhance your family’s experience of the liturgy.

Go Deeper

Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Reflection Questions

  1. What do we celebrate at Mass today? (The Nativity of the Lord, Christmas)

  2. From which gospel do we hear today? (Luke)

  3. Where did Joseph and Mary have to travel to pay their taxes? (the City of David, Bethlehem)

  4. What did Mary and Joseph name the baby who was born while they were in Bethlehem? (Jesus)

  5. To whom did the angel of the Lord appear in today’s gospel? (the shepherds who were in nearby fields)

  6. Fill in the blanks to learn what message the angel of the Lord gave the shepherds: “Do not be __________; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great ______ that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a __________ has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. (afraid, joy, savior)    

Kids Activities

Coloring Page

Activity Sheet

Bible Bag: Kid-sized lesson on the Sunday Gospel

Resource Links for Catholic Parents

Questions or Comments?

We’d love to hear from you! Please contact Stephanie Lloyd at stephanielloyd@olgparish.org or fill out the form below with any questions or feedback you’d like to share with us.

GraceLink December 18, 2022 Fourth Sunday of Advent, year A

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.”

Matthew 1:20

Read & Reflect

View the Mass readings, then use the weekly reflection questions and links to enhance your family’s experience of the liturgy.

Go Deeper

Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Reflection Questions

  1. What do we celebrate at Mass today? (The Fourth Sunday of Advent)

  2. From which gospel do we hear today? (Matthew, the primary gospel for year A of the Sunday liturgical reading cycle)

  3. Who appeared to Joseph in a dream? (the angel of the Lord)

  4. Fill in the blanks to learn what message the angel had for Joseph: “Joseph, son of David, do not be _________ to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the _______ ___________ that this child has been conceived in her.” Mt 1:20-21 (afraid, Holy Spirit)

  5. Did Joseph do what the angel told him to do?  Would you?       

Kids Activities

Coloring Page

Activity Sheet

Bible Bag: Kid-sized lesson on the Sunday Gospel

Resource Links for Catholic Parents

Questions or Comments?

We’d love to hear from you! Please contact Stephanie Lloyd at stephanielloyd@olgparish.org or fill out the form below with any questions or feedback you’d like to share with us.

GraceLink December 11, 2022 Third Sunday of Advent, year A

“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

Matthew 11:3

Read & Reflect

View the Mass readings, then use the weekly reflection questions and links to enhance your family’s experience of the liturgy.

Go Deeper

Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Reflection Questions

  1. What do we celebrate at Mass today? (The Third Sunday of Advent, and the third Sunday of our new liturgical year)

  2. From which gospel do we hear today? (Matthew, the primary gospel for year A of the Sunday liturgical reading cycle)

  3. What question did John the Baptist send his disciples to ask Jesus? (“Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another?” Mt 11:3)

  4. Where was John the Baptist when he sent his disciples to Jesus? (in prison)

  5. Fill in the blanks to learn what answer Jesus sent to John: “… the ___________ regain their sight, the ________ walk, lepers are ____________, the deaf ________, the ________ are raised, and the ________ have the good news proclaimed to them.” Mt 11:5 (blind, lame, cleansed, hear, dead, poor)

  6. What actions can your family do to be ready for the day when Jesus comes again?         

Kids Activities

Coloring Page

Activity Sheet

Bible Bag: Kid-sized lesson on the Sunday Gospel

Resource Links for Catholic Parents

Questions or Comments?

We’d love to hear from you! Please contact Stephanie Lloyd at stephanielloyd@olgparish.org or fill out the form below with any questions or feedback you’d like to share with us.

GraceLink December 4, 2022 Second Sunday of Advent, year A

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Matthew 3:11

Read & Reflect

View the Mass readings, then use the weekly reflection questions and links to enhance your family’s experience of the liturgy.

Go Deeper

Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Reflection Questions

  1. What do we celebrate at Mass today? (The Second Sunday of Advent, also, the second Sunday of our new liturgical year)

  2. From which gospel do we hear today? (Matthew, the primary gospel for year A of the Sunday liturgical reading cycle)

  3. Who was baptizing people in the Jordan River? (John the Baptist)

  4. What food did John the Baptist eat in the desert? (locusts and wild honey)

  5. Fill in the blanks: In Matthew 3:11, John says: “‘I baptize you with _____________ for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the _________ _____________ and __________’.” (water, Holy Spirit, fire)

  6. Who is John the Baptist preparing the people to meet? (Jesus, the Lord, God - all are acceptable)         

Kids Activities

Coloring Page

Activity Sheet

Bible Bag: Kid-sized lesson on the Sunday Gospel

Resource Links for Catholic Parents

Questions or Comments?

We’d love to hear from you! Please contact Stephanie Lloyd at stephanielloyd@olgparish.org or fill out the form below with any questions or feedback you’d like to share with us.

GraceLink November 27, 2022 First Sunday of Advent, year A

“You must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Matthew 24:44

Read & Reflect

View the Mass readings, then use the weekly reflection questions and links to enhance your family’s experience of the liturgy.

Go Deeper

Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Reflection Questions

  1. What do we celebrate at Mass today? (The First Sunday of Advent, and the start of a new liturgical year)

  2. From which gospel do we hear today? (Matthew, the primary gospel for year A of the Sunday liturgical reading cycle)

  3. To whom does Jesus compare the coming of the Son of Man? (Noah)

  4. What is Jesus’s message for us in today’s gospel? (to stay awake and always be ready for the coming of the Son of Man)

  5. Fill in the blanks: In Matthew 24:44, Jesus speaks to the disciples about being ready: “You must be prepared, for at an _________ you do not expect, the _________ of ________ will come.” (hour, Son, Man)

  6. What actions can your family do to be ready for the day when Jesus comes again?         

Kids Activities

Coloring Page

Activity Sheet

Bible Bag: Kid-sized lesson on the Sunday Gospel

Resource Links for Catholic Parents

Questions or Comments?

We’d love to hear from you! Please contact Stephanie Lloyd at stephanielloyd@olgparish.org or fill out the form below with any questions or feedback you’d like to share with us.

Grace Link November 20, 2022 The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, year C

“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:43

Read & Reflect

View the Mass readings, then use the weekly reflection questions and links to enhance your family’s experience of the liturgy.

Go Deeper

Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Reflection Questions

  1. What do we celebrate at Mass today? (The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe/end of Liturgical year C)

  2. From which gospel do we hear today? (Luke)

  3. What name do the soldiers in today’s gospel use when speaking about Jesus? (The King of the Jews)

  4. What is happening to Jesus in today’s gospel? (Jesus is being crucified upon the cross)

  5. There were two criminals, one hanging on either side of Jesus; what did the repentant criminal say to Jesus? (“Jesus remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Luke 23:42)

  6. Fill in the blanks: In Luke 23:43, Jesus replies to the repentant criminal: “___________, I say to you, today ________ will be with me in _____________________.” (Amen, you, Paradise)         

Kids Activities

Coloring Page

Activity Sheet

Bible Bag: Kid-sized lesson on the Sunday Gospel

Resource Links for Catholic Parents

Questions or Comments?

We’d love to hear from you! Please contact Stephanie Lloyd at stephanielloyd@olgparish.org or fill out the form below with any questions or feedback you’d like to share with us.

GraceLink November 13, 2022 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, year C

“I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking.”

Luke 21:15

Read & Reflect

View the Mass readings, then use the weekly reflection questions and links to enhance your family’s experience of the liturgy.

Go Deeper

Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Reflection Questions

  1. What do we celebrate at Mass today? (The Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time)

  2. From which gospel do we hear today? (Luke)

  3. By what name do the people in today’s gospel address Jesus? (Teacher)

  4. What is Jesus talking about in today’s gospel? (awesome sights and mighty sights, things that will happen when the Son of Man comes again)

  5. Fill in the blanks: In Luke 21:15, Jesus speaks to the people about giving testimony about him saying “I ____________ shall give you a wisdom in ______________________.” (myself, speaking)

  6. If you were called upon to give testimony about who Jesus is in your life, what would you say?         

Kids Activities

Coloring Page

Activity Sheet

Bible Bag: Kid-sized lesson on the Sunday Gospel

Resource Links for Catholic Parents

Questions or Comments?

We’d love to hear from you! Please contact Stephanie Lloyd at stephanielloyd@olgparish.org or fill out the form below with any questions or feedback you’d like to share with us.