September 7, 2025

September 7, 2025

23rd Sunday of Year C

MARY JO COLE
LITTLE LITURGIES
FR. JOE KEMPF
Bishop O’CONNELL
UGANDA CTV
EVERY DAY CAN BE A SUNDAY
RELIGION TEACHER

MARY JO
COLE

23rd Sunday of Year C

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23rd Sunday of Year C

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BIG AL &
FATHER JOE

23rd Sunday of Year C

Most Sacred Heart Parish, Eureka, MO

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS ✨

Based on the conversation with Fr. Joe and Annie, read each question carefully and choose the best answer. The answer key is at the bottom of the page.

1. At the start of the conversation, why was Annie crying? a) She had lost her favorite toy. b) Her friend was sad and crying. c) She was telling a sad story. d) Fr. Joe asked her to pretend to be sad.

2. What did Annie do that helped her sad friend? a) She told her a funny joke to make her laugh. b) She went to find a grown-up to solve the problem. c) She sat down next to her and cried with her. d) She gave her friend a big hug and a present.

3. What is the main message of Annie's prayer, 'My Friend is Feeling Sad These Days'? a) To ask God to make her friend happy right away. b) To ask God for the right words to say to her friend. c) To ask for help to be a good friend and show God's love. d) To ask God to take the sadness away from both of them.

4. According to the prayer, when words don't help at all, what is a good thing to do? a) Just sit with your friend and let her know you care. b) Try to think of better words to say. c) Leave your friend alone so she can think. d) Sing a happy song to change the mood.

5. Fr. Joe says that if you stay loving, sometimes you will be sad, too. Why is this 'worth it'? a) Because it makes you look like a good person. b) Because you are being like Jesus, and He is with you. c) Because your friend will owe you a favor. d) Because it's better to be sad than to be happy.

6. In the prayer, who does Annie want to love her friend like? a) Her parents. b) Her favorite superhero. c) Her best friend. d) God/Jesus.

7. What is the main lesson of this conversation? a) You should always have tissues with you. b) Being a true friend sometimes means sharing their sadness, not just fixing it. c) Writing prayers is the only way to solve problems. d) You should never cry, even when you are sad.

8. The prayer hopes that Annie's friend will know something through her actions. What is it? a) That Annie is the best friend in the world. b) That she should stop being sad. c) That God is there with her. d) That crying doesn't solve anything.

9. Fr. Joe says Jesus 'gets you.' What does he mean by that? a) That Jesus will come and get you for church. b) That Jesus doesn't like it when you are sad. c) That Jesus understands your feelings completely. d) That Jesus will give you a prize for being good.

10. True or False: The conversation teaches that the only way to help is to say the perfect words. a) True b) False

Answer Key

b) Her friend was sad and crying.
c) She sat down next to her and cried with her.
c) To ask for help to be a good friend and show God's love.
a) Just sit with your friend and let her know you care.
b) Because you are being like Jesus, and He is with you.
d) God/Jesus.
b) Being a true friend sometimes means sharing their sadness, not just fixing it.
c) That God is there with her.
c) That Jesus understands your feelings completely.
b) False

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ✨

Part 1: The Power of Presence (What Annie Did)

Core Idea: Sometimes, the most helpful thing we can do for a sad friend isn’t to fix their problem, but simply to be with them and share their feelings.

Key Moment from the Conversation:

"One of her friends was sad. She was crying. And so Annie helped. And you know how she helped? She sat down and I cried too."

Discussion Questions:

Why do you think Annie started crying when her friend was crying?
Fr. Joe called Annie’s action "so beautiful." What was beautiful about it?
Have you ever felt sad because a friend was sad? What did that feel like?
Why is just sitting with someone who is sad sometimes better than trying to tell them jokes or cheer them up?

Part 2: When Words Don't Help (Annie's Prayer)

Core Idea: We don't always need to have the perfect words to say. Our actions and our presence can show God’s love more powerfully than anything we could say.

Key Moment from the Prayer:

"Sometimes words don't help at all. I wonder what to do... Maybe I'll just sit with her and let her know I care. I pray that through my time with her, she'll know that you are there."

Discussion Questions:

The prayer says, "Sometimes words don't help at all." Can you think of a time when someone tried to help with words but it didn't make you feel better?
What are some ways you can "let her know I care" without using words? (For example: sitting close, offering a hand to hold, drawing a picture together).
The prayer hopes that Annie’s friend will know that God is there. How does being a good, quiet friend show God's love to someone?

Part 3: The Cost of Loving (What Fr. Joe Taught)

Core Idea: Being a truly loving friend can sometimes be hard and even make us feel sad, but it is always worth it because it is how we become more like Jesus.

Key Moment from the Conversation:

"And boys and girls, if you stay loving, sometimes you'll be sad, too. But it's worth it because you're being like Jesus. And he is right there with you, loving you. He gets you."

Discussion Questions:

Why do you think it can be "hard" to sit with a friend who is feeling sad?
Fr. Joe says being a loving friend is "worth it." What do you think he means by that? What makes it worth it?
Fr. Joe says that when we are loving, we are "being like Jesus." What did Jesus do to show he loved people who were sad or hurting?
What does it mean that Jesus "gets you" when you are feeling sad for a friend? How does that help you be brave enough to be a good friend?

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BISHOP MARK
O’CONNELL

23rd Sunday of Year C

Bishop Mark O’Connell

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UGANDA
CATHOLIC TV

23rd Sunday of Year C

Uganda Catholic TV

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To be true disciples of Jesus, one must prioritize Him, endure life's challenges with hope, love, and forgiveness, and trust in Him, even in the face of struggles and difficulties.

00:00 🌟 Children gather on Uganda Catholic Television to pray and learn about gratitude and courage as they start the new school year on the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
- Children are welcomed to a program on Uganda Catholic Television to pray, learn, and grow together on the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
- Children are welcomed to a special month of September, expressing gratitude for life's gifts and praying for wisdom and courage as they return to school.
05:41 🛐 To follow Jesus, prioritize Him above all, carry your cross, and be ready to renounce possessions while understanding the cost of commitment.
- To be a disciple of Jesus, one must prioritize Him above all relationships and be willing to carry their own cross.
- To be a disciple of Jesus, one must be willing to renounce all possessions and consider the cost of commitment, just like a builder calculates the cost of construction and a king considers the odds of war.
09:54 🤝 A woman and a poor family share struggles with faith, family, and economic situations, seeking help and sparking conversations about divine support and better living.
- A woman expresses her struggles with marriage, faith, and family while seeking divine help and reflecting on her challenges.
- A poor family struggles with their economic situation, sparking a conversation among children about wanting to live with a wealthier relative who can provide them with better things.
14:42 ⚖ A woman seeks help after her brothers allegedly conspired to evict her from her husband's estate.
- A prayer is offered, and there is a discussion about personal challenges and seeking assistance.
- A woman claims her husband's estate is being used in a conspiracy by her two brothers to evict her, and she seeks help from a witch doctor and police officers.
22:06 ✝ To be Jesus' disciples, we must endure life's challenges with hope, love, and forgiveness, reflecting a path to holiness.
- To be Jesus' disciples, we must endure life's challenges and sacrifices with hope, as a sign of love, just like Jesus did.
- We can be Jesus' disciples by forgiving, asking for forgiveness, loving, and living for one another, reflecting this year's theme of family love as a path to holiness.
25:53 🙏 Embrace life's challenges with hope and courage to become true disciples of Jesus.
29:51 ✝ The liturgy prays for those suffering, especially in war zones, and seeks guidance for young people to live according to God's will and spread the good news through their actions.
36:43 ✝ To be a disciple of Jesus, one must trust in Him, carry their small sufferings, forgive, and be hopeful.

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CHILDREN’S VIDEOS

23rd Sunday of Year C

EVERY DAY CAN BE A SUNDAY – CARRY THE CROSS from Luke 14:25-33: Catholic Sunday Gospel Cartoon, Bible Trivia, Fun Facts & Family Discussion Question.

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23rd Sunday of Year C

Jared Dees

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Multiple Choice Questions

23rd Sunday of Year C

FIRST READING

Wisdom 9:13-18b

God's Big Thoughts

According to the reading, what is very difficult for humans to figure out? a) What is for dinner b) What is in the heavens c) What is on television d) How to play a game
The reading says our bodies can "weigh down the soul." What does this mean? a) We are all very heavy. b) Our earthly worries can make it hard to think about God's plan. c) We should all go on a diet. d) Our souls are lighter than our bodies.
Who can truly know God's plan? a) Only the smartest people b) Only people who read a lot of books c) Only the person to whom God gives wisdom d) Only kings and queens

God's Wonderful Help

How do we learn what is pleasing to the Lord? a) By guessing really hard b) By being taught wisdom from God c) By asking our friends d) By always doing what we want
What does God send down from heaven to help us? a) Rain and snow b) The sun and the moon c) His holy spirit d) A map and a compass
When our paths on earth are made straight, what does that mean? a) All the roads become flat and easy to walk on. b) We learn how to follow God's will correctly. c) We get very good at drawing lines. d) We will never get lost on a trip.
The reading says human reasoning is "timid." What does "timid" mean in this context? a) Brave and strong b) Loud and clear c) Unsure and hesitant d) Fast and quick

Living by Wisdom

What is the main thing we need to understand God's will? a) A good education b) Lots of money c) A powerful computer d) Wisdom from God
The passage compares our bodies to a "perishable tent." What does this comparison suggest? a) Our bodies are a permanent home. b) Our bodies are temporary and fragile. c) We should all go camping more often. d) Our bodies are waterproof.
By receiving wisdom, people are... a) made rich b) made famous c) saved d) made strong

Answer Key

Answer: b) What is in the heavens. Rationale: The passage says that we can barely guess at things on earth, so it's even harder for us to understand the things in heaven where God is.
Answer: b) Our earthly worries can make it hard to think about God's plan. Rationale: The passage describes the body as a "tent" that can distract our minds from focusing on higher, spiritual things.
Answer: c) Only the person to whom God gives wisdom. Rationale: The reading makes it clear that human thoughts are not enough; we need God to share His wisdom with us to understand His counsel.
Answer: b) By being taught wisdom from God. Rationale: The passage states that people were "taught what is pleasing to you" through the wisdom God gives.
Answer: c) His holy spirit. Rationale: The text specifically asks, "who ever knew your counsel, except you had given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high?" This shows the spirit is our guide.
Answer: b) We learn how to follow God's will correctly. Rationale: "Straightening our paths" is a way of saying that with God's help, we can live the right way and make good choices that please Him.
Answer: c) Unsure and hesitant. Rationale: The passage is explaining that our own thoughts are uncertain and we can't fully rely on them to understand God's huge plans.
Answer: d) Wisdom from God. Rationale: This is the central message of the entire passage. Without wisdom sent from God, we cannot understand His plans or how to please Him.
Answer: b) Our bodies are temporary and fragile. Rationale: A tent is not a permanent house; it can wear out. The reading uses this image to show that our physical lives on earth are temporary, which can make it hard for our souls to focus on eternal things.
Answer: c) saved. Rationale: The final line of the reading says, "And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight, and people were taught what is pleasing to you, and were saved by wisdom." This shows that wisdom leads to salvation.

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GOSPEL READING

Luke 14:25-33

Putting God First

When Jesus says you must "hate" your family to be his disciple, what does he really mean? a) You should be mean to your family. b) You should love God more than anyone or anything else. c) You should run away from home. d) Family is not important.
According to Jesus, who should be the most important in your life if you want to be his disciple? a) Your best friend b) Yourself c) Your parents d) God
What does Jesus say a person must "renounce" (give up) to be his disciple? a) All their friends b) All their homework c) All their possessions d) All their favorite foods

Carrying Your Cross

What does Jesus say you must carry to follow him? a) A heavy backpack b) Your own cross c) A box of books d) Your lunch money
What is a good meaning for "carrying your cross"? a) Wearing a cross necklace every day. b) Complaining whenever things are hard. c) Accepting the difficult things in life because you are following Jesus. d) Building things out of wood.

Counting the Cost

In the first story Jesus tells, what is the man trying to build? a) A house b) A bridge c) A tower d) A boat
What big mistake did the man building the tower make? a) He used the wrong color bricks. b) He didn't figure out the cost before he started building. c) He built it in the wrong spot. d) He worked too slowly.
In the second story, what does the king need to figure out before going into battle? a) What the weather will be like. b) If he has enough soldiers to win. c) What to name his horse. d) Where his soldiers should eat lunch.
Why would onlookers laugh at the man who couldn't finish his tower? a) Because he told a funny joke. b) Because the tower looked silly. c) Because he started something big without being prepared to finish it. d) Because he was wearing funny clothes.
What is the main lesson from the stories about the tower builder and the king? a) You should never start big projects. b) It's important to win every battle. c) You should think carefully about what it means to follow Jesus before you decide to. d) Kings are smarter than builders.

Answer Key

Answer: b) You should love God more than anyone or anything else. Rationale: Jesus is using a strong word to make a big point: God must be your number one priority, even before the people you love the most.
Answer: d) God. Rationale: The whole passage is about putting God first in our lives, above ourselves, our family, and our things.
Answer: c) All their possessions. Rationale: Jesus says we must be willing to give up our things because loving God and other people is more important than owning stuff.
Answer: b) Your own cross. Rationale: Jesus specifically says his disciples must "carry his own cross and come after me."
Answer: c) Accepting the difficult things in life because you are following Jesus. Rationale: The "cross" represents the challenges, sacrifices, and hard parts of life that we accept with courage because we are following Jesus's example.
Answer: c) A tower. Rationale: The passage says, "Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost?"
Answer: b) He didn't figure out the cost before he started building. Rationale: Jesus points out that the man laid the foundation but couldn't finish because he didn't plan ahead to see if he had enough resources.
Answer: b) If he has enough soldiers to win. Rationale: The king has 10,000 troops and needs to decide if he can win against another king who has 20,000 troops.
Answer: c) Because he started something big without being prepared to finish it. Rationale: People would see that he started a project but wasn't able to complete it, showing he didn't plan well.
Answer: c) You should think carefully about what it means to follow Jesus before you decide to. Rationale: Jesus uses these stories to teach us that being his disciple is a serious commitment. We should understand what it requires, just like a builder or a king must understand their task before they begin.

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MARY JO
COLE

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FATHER JOE

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MARY JO COLE

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LITTLE LITURGIES

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By prioritizing love for Jesus, as exemplified by St. Carlo Acutis, one can cultivate a deep and selfless devotion to serving others and living a life of extraordinary love and kindness.

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Answer Key

Part 1: The Power of Presence (What Annie Did)

Part 2: When Words Don't Help (Annie's Prayer)

Part 3: The Cost of Loving (What Fr. Joe Taught)

BISHOP MARKO’CONNELL

Luke 14:25-33

Core Teachings of Jesus

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Luke 14: 25-33

True discipleship of Jesus demands unwavering commitment, prioritization of God above all else, and the willingness to endure hardships and sacrifices along the spiritual journey.

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To be true disciples of Jesus, one must prioritize Him, endure life's challenges with hope, love, and forgiveness, and trust in Him, even in the face of struggles and difficulties.

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The sign of the cross is a profound Christian prayer that symbolizes the Holy Trinity, Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, and serves as a reminder of our faith and baptism.

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Wisdom 9:13-18b

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MARY JO
COLE

BIG AL &
FATHER JOE

BISHOP MARK
O’CONNELL

UGANDA
CATHOLIC TV

THE RELIGION
TEACHER

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IMAGES

OSV Family
Activities

Understanding and Choosing
The Right Thing to Do