Making the Mostof the time we have

!

Here in this place, may hope be found. !

Deep in our hearts may love abound. !

We are here, here in the presence of God. !

We are on holy ground.

• Parents of children 12 and under!

• Parents of children who are teens!

• Parents of children who are young (or not so young) adults!

• Youth minsters, staff or parishioner leaders!

• Pastors

A show of hands!

CatholicLifeandFaith.net

What are your hopes and dreams?

When you think of your family or the

youth of your parish, for what do you hope or pray?

Being a Parent... Is the Vocation of a Lifetime!

Roots, Wings, and Webs

Called to Holiness

The Domestic Church

Roots..."...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Colossians 3:13-14

Roots...Discipleship and Stewardship!

Service!

Talents!

ImpactRooted and grounded in love...!

Filled with all the fullness of God

The Domestic Church

“In our own time, in a world often alien and even hostile to faith, believing families are of primary importance as centers of living, radiant faith. For this reason the Second Vatican Council, using an ancient expression, calls the family the Ecclesia domestica.” !

(CCC, 1656. See also LG 11, GS 48, italics added)

The Domestic Church

What roots are you cultivating within your family?!

What signs do you have that your child is developing deep roots of faith and living discipleship?

Wings..."Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles' wings; they will run and not grow weary, weak and not grow faint."

Isaiah 40:30-31

Wings...

Hospitality!

Friends!

Open the Door!

Care They will soar on eagles' wings

Passing on Our Faith

“As the children grow, exchange of faith becomes mutual and ‘in a catechetical dialogue of this sort, each individual both receives and gives.’ {In relationship to cultural influences:} In this case “the domestic Church” is virtually the only environment in which children and young people can receive authentic catechesis.”!

(General Directory for Catechesis, 227)

Passing on Our Faith

How have you experienced such an “exchange of faith” within your family? Between you and your child?

Webs..."Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection"

Colossians 3:13-14

Webs...

Relationship !

Family!

Christ!

CommunityPut on love...!

the bond of perfection

The benefits of belonging

Those who are rooted in the faith community:!

Are much more likely to be satisfied with the circumstances of their lives....!

In other words, they are happier!

Wow!

Compelling Evidence

• Those who regularly participate in church services: !

◦ Live Longer (7.6 years on average); !

◦ Experience less depression, drug use and abuse, and suicide; !

◦ Experience a greater sense of well-being, hope and optimism, purpose and meaning, and self-esteem;

Compelling Evidence• Those who regularly participate in church

services: !◦Have a greater sense of satisfaction within their

families, with closer parent-child relationships; !

◦Children exhibit higher performance in school and attain higher levels of education !

◦ “It may be that religion provides the strongest force available to reverse the powerful trends that are breaking fathers and children apart.”

Passing on Our Faith

The two main social entities in religious socialization: “First are individual family households where parents predictably do the primary socializing. Second are individual religious congregations, where other adults can exert socializing influences on youth.” !

(Smith with Snell, Souls in Transition, 286)

Living Witnesses

Bring liturgy to life and life to

liturgy (Worship)!

Connect with the community (Connect)!

Live, learn and teach (Grow)!

Reach out to others (Serve)

What are we to do?

What Comes to Mind?Who is part of the web that connects your child with the community? What does that person(s) offer your child?!

For whom are you part of a web of care, living, growing faith, challenge, consolation, or encouragement?

O Word of God, come into this space!

O Word of God, come send us your grace!

Open our minds, show us your truth!

Transform our lives anew. (Ricky Manalo, CSP)

With all this in mind, we pray:

Listening: What word or phrase strikes you?!

!

Meditating: Allow the word or phrase to dwell within you. Allow this pondering to invite you into dialogue with God and then, in the spirit of Pentecost, share the word with your group.

Seeing: Fix your gaze on the illumination. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart and enable you to see what God wants you to see.!

!

Praying: Pray to God, allowing for the transformation of your being and feelings. Give to God what you have found in your heart.

For sharing:!

The disciples invited Jesus into their home. In what ways is your home a place where you journey with Jesus, creating roots and wings and webs of living, growing faith?!

What is next for you and your family in this journey?

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