Family Catechesis
Saturday, December 18, 2021
11:00 AM ZOOM
ALL FAMILIES
THE VISITATION
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.” Luke 1:42
Watch the The Visitation You Tube Video in preparation:
Family Group Leaders:
Let us pray. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit AMEN.
We are gathered today to show our reverence for our Lord and Savior as we read and ponder His WORD. Before we read God’s WORD, let us each share the blessings we have experienced from God.
Please share any requests for help or prayer needs.
Family group prays together.
THE GOSPEL READING for Sunday, the 4th WEEK of ADVENT
Family Group Leader:
Let us pray: Almighty and ever living God, as Christmas Day draws closer, we pray that through your grace, your Word will pour deeply into our hearts that we may honor fully your Son made flesh of the Virgin Mary as He lives in us and through us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Family Group Leader:
Let’s take turns reading about the visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth two times.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in Judea’s hill country.
40 There she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby inside her jumped. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 In a loud voice she called out, “God has blessed you more than other women. And blessed is the child you will have!
43 But why is God so kind to me? Why has the mother of my Lord come to me?
44 As soon as I heard the sound of your voice, the baby inside me jumped for joy.
45 You are a woman God has blessed. You have believed that the Lord would keep his promises to you!”
Questions: Share your own responses in your Family Group.
What words in this passage caught your attention?
Example: Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
What in this passage comforted you?
God has blessed Mary because she believed that the Lord would keep his promises to her
What in this passage challenged you?
Example: According to Scripture, Elizabeth was six months pregnant with John the Baptist when Mary visited her. It is pretty awesome that this baby in Elizabeth’s womb knew that Jesus, the Son of God was in Mary’s womb!!! Lord help me to believe, that with you all things are possible!
Read the passage one more time. Bring to the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that the Word inspired in you.
Example: Lord I pray for your grace (help) to have the faith and trust that Mary had in you that you always keep your promises!
What changes in your heart, mind, and life is the Lord asking you to make? What WILL you do?
EXAMPLE: Lord, please share your grace and mercy with me to truly experience JOY when I meet the living Jesus at every Eucharist/Mass!
Who will you share this Family Catechesis Teaching with in the coming days?
Family Group Leader: Let us say the Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
• Delivery of Christmas Gifts to Families
• Schedule for Family Catechesis in 2022
• Schedule for Family Mass in 2022
• Family Community Service Projects
• Monthly Movie Night (Sunday, December 26, 3:00 PM)
• Chaplet Prayer (Every Thursday, 7:00 PM)
