EXPLORE THE SUNDAY GOSPEL
The Unknown Day and Hour
Jesus said to his disciples:
"As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."
MEET OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
St. Joseph (Giuseppe) Moscati (Feast Day November 16)
July 25, 1880-April 12, 1927
"The holy physician of Naples," as he was called, Giuseppe Moscati was the seventh of nine children, born into a Catholic aristocratic family in Italy in 1880. When Giuseppe was 13 years old, his brother Alberto was injured after falling from a horse. Giuseppe cared for his brother in their home for years, where he came to believe that the practice of medicine should be informed and even supported by faith and prayer.
Dr. Moscati graduated from medical school in 1903 and went to work at the Hospital for Incurables in Naples. He was known for praying before seeing each patient and showed extraordinary skill in diagnosing different illnesses. Dr. Moscati regarded his medical practice as a lay apostolate. Before examining a patient or engaging in research he would place himself in the presence of God. He encouraged his patients, especially those who were about to undergo surgery, to receive the sacraments. He once wrote to a young doctor, "Remember that you must treat not only bodies, but also souls, with counsel that appeals to their minds and hearts rather than with cold prescriptions to be sent into the pharmacist."
TAKE TIME TO CHAT
Share a time when you prepared for a special event or activity.
Jesus wants us to be prepared for the day he comes back to earth. What are some things we can do to be prepared and ready for Jesus?
What are some ways your family can make Advent more meaningful this year?
St. Joseph (Giuseppe) Moscati saw his work as a way to serve God and others. What do you want to be when you grow up? In what way would this profession/vocation serve God and others?
FAMILY FUN
Make a Jesse Tree
This activity will help your family connect the dots in the story of salvation in the Bible.
A Jesse Tree is a collection of 24 ornaments that tell key parts of the story of salvation from creation to Jesus's birth. There is an ornament for each day, and a passage or story from the Bible that corresponds with it. There are many online resources that provide printable templates for your Jesse Tree with the Scripture passages and symbols associated with them. Jesse Trees can be super simple or super complex. Choose a method that best suits your family.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Grape Caterpillars
St. Joseph Moscati was from Naples, which has over 100 varieties of grapes. Enjoy this fun and easy recipe today!
Green grapes
1 Tbsp cream cheese, softened
Miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Skewers
Pick out the 5 nicest looking grapes. Thread 3 to 4 grapes, lengthwise, onto a skewer. These are the body of the caterpillar. Next, make the head. Hold the grape horizontally. Place 2 small dollops of cream cheese for the eyes and stick in mini chocolate chips for the pupils. Thread the grape horizontally to place the head on the caterpillar. Repeat with the other grapes and skewers.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/260518/cute-grape-caterpillars-for-kids/
FAMILY PRAYER
Prayer for Doctors and Nurses
St. Joseph Moscati cared for people physically and spiritually. Pray today for doctors and nurses who carry out God's work.
Pray this prayer as a family, adding the names of doctors and nurses who have helped your family in a special way:
O merciful Father, who have wonderfully fashioned man in your own image, and have made his body to be a temple of the Holy Spirit, sanctify; we pray you, our doctors and nurses and all those whom you have called to study and practice the arts of healing the sick and the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them in body and soul, and bless their work, that they may give comfort to those for whose salvation your Son became Man, lived on this earth, healed the sick, and suffered and died on the Cross.
We especially pray for the following doctors and nurses who have helped our family:
[insert names here]
We ask all this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Adapted from https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=476
LITURGY LINK
The person who helps set up for Mass is called a sacristan. The sacristan prepares the vessels and the bread and wine to be used in the liturgy. Sometimes, the sacristan assists during Mass as well.
Did you see a sacristan today? Would you like to be a sacristan one day?
FAMILY CHALLENGE
Consider setting up a family Advent wreath. Sit around it as a family and share how you will prepare for Christ during the Advent season this year.
FUN FACTS
A lay apostolate is an organization that provides a specific ministry within the Church and is made up of lay people (those not in a religious organization or ordained).
