God's Love

As Valentine’s Day is all about love, what better way to spend Valentine’s Day than with Jesus who loves us more than any person in the world? 

Let’s get to know God’s love for us through the Word of God! 

What is love? 

Love is patient; love is kind. 1 Cor 13:4 Love rejoices in the truth. 1 Cor 13:6

Who is love?

God is love. 1 John 4:16 

How did God love us? 

God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9

Our Lord loves us so much that He gives His life completely! 

We know love by this, that He laid His life for us. 1 John 3:16 

God’s love is eternal!

His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 136 

Love never ends. 1 Corinthian 13:8

Because of God’s love, we are His own children!

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God. 1 John 3:1 

We are only able to love if we know God’s love!

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 

We love God by following His commandments!

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.  John 14:15 

With God’s love and when we love God, there is no fear!

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18 

We show God’s love by loving others! 

Beloved, since God loved us so much, we ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11 

How do we show God’s love to others?

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:18 

We show love by loving others how Jesus loves us!

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. John 13:34 

By Tina Makkanal

Preparing for Lent

Lent is 1 week away! Have you started planning for this season? The Catholic church teaches us to practice the three pillars of Lent which are prayer, fasting and almsgiving during Lent. While some families have their own unique Lenten traditions, often planning for lent starts with only thinking about "giving up" something for the season. Here are a few ways to shift the focus from "giving up" to adding something more. 

1. Prayer : Lent can be the perfect time to spend more time in prayer. Finding a new person or intention to pray for everyday, learning to pray a new litany, spending time in front of the blessed sacrament and praying the short way of the cross are some of the ways to increase time in personal prayer. 

2. Fasting : In addition to giving up a favorite food or activity, consider adding an activity or habit. Practice good habits like helping with chores around the house or complimenting people especially when they are least expecting it.

3. Almsgiving : Make a donation box and start collecting loose change. Help out around the house and make money to add to the donation box during lent. Think about donating to food pantries and homeless shelters.

4. Reading Word of God : Read the word of God together with your family. Come up with doable goals like reading one of the gospels or completing the Book of Psalms. 

5. Service :  Service is nothing but an 'act of love'. Each member of the family can come up with ways they can help each other and others in their neighborhood or community. Sometimes even a small act of love can be so rewarding like bringing a surprise dessert to an elderly neighbor. 

Click here to download a Lenten calendar with kids activities!

Click here to download a reading plan for the gospel of John during this Lent.

Here are some additional links that will be helpful for the season : 

Printable stations of the cross

How to do the stations of the cross at home

It can be both fun and enriching to practice these Lenten traditions at home. Let's prayerfully plan for and embrace this season which will bring blessings into our souls and to our families!