Post by StellaMaris on Aug 4, 2021 17:30:18 GMT
AB Gomez wise words in the light of the institution of 'World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly'. He addresses the young looking for Christ in todays environment.
Their love for Jesus is a testimony, not just to the faith of their parents, but also to the dedication of pastors, catechists, and teachers doing the vital work of religious formation in our parishes and schools.
Still, there is no question that all of us in the Church need to keep working hard to support parents in their essential vocation of passing on our Catholic faith to the next generation.
This is one of the reasons that Pope Francis has declared this a “Year of the Family.” He is encouraging all of us in the Church to reflect again on the beauty of the family, what he calls “the love generated by … the silent work of the life of a couple, by that daily and sometimes tiring commitment carried out by spouses, mothers, fathers, and children.”
Smith makes a persuasive case that parents are the single greatest influence on their children’s religious identities, beliefs, and practices — far more important than peers, teachers, youth groups, or even religious education.
Parents who are “successful,” he finds, are men and women of prayer who believe strongly in their vocation to be their children’s first teachers in the faith. For these parents, making church a priority and holding themselves accountable to religious practices and moral values are simply normal habits of healthy people.
Based on Smith’s findings, we should share our faith naturally, with warmth, joy, and confidence, always listening and engaging our young people’s questions honestly. In everything, we should be trying to help them see that the Church’s vision for their lives is true and that following this way will bring them happiness in this life and joy in eternity.
And as Smith points out, children learn by example, by witness more than by words. That means we need to practice what we preach, not only in our homes but in every area of the Church. All of us who have responsibility for young people should be living what Christ teaches and the Church believes.
angelusnews.com/voices/passing-on-the-faith/
One aspect that I've noticed is that people who've come back to the faith after having raised a family.... can feel helpless to help their now grown children. I believe they have a unique perspective to offer to the Church and upcoming families.
Their love for Jesus is a testimony, not just to the faith of their parents, but also to the dedication of pastors, catechists, and teachers doing the vital work of religious formation in our parishes and schools.
Still, there is no question that all of us in the Church need to keep working hard to support parents in their essential vocation of passing on our Catholic faith to the next generation.
This is one of the reasons that Pope Francis has declared this a “Year of the Family.” He is encouraging all of us in the Church to reflect again on the beauty of the family, what he calls “the love generated by … the silent work of the life of a couple, by that daily and sometimes tiring commitment carried out by spouses, mothers, fathers, and children.”
Smith makes a persuasive case that parents are the single greatest influence on their children’s religious identities, beliefs, and practices — far more important than peers, teachers, youth groups, or even religious education.
Parents who are “successful,” he finds, are men and women of prayer who believe strongly in their vocation to be their children’s first teachers in the faith. For these parents, making church a priority and holding themselves accountable to religious practices and moral values are simply normal habits of healthy people.
Based on Smith’s findings, we should share our faith naturally, with warmth, joy, and confidence, always listening and engaging our young people’s questions honestly. In everything, we should be trying to help them see that the Church’s vision for their lives is true and that following this way will bring them happiness in this life and joy in eternity.
And as Smith points out, children learn by example, by witness more than by words. That means we need to practice what we preach, not only in our homes but in every area of the Church. All of us who have responsibility for young people should be living what Christ teaches and the Church believes.
angelusnews.com/voices/passing-on-the-faith/
One aspect that I've noticed is that people who've come back to the faith after having raised a family.... can feel helpless to help their now grown children. I believe they have a unique perspective to offer to the Church and upcoming families.
My brothers were always looking for ways to sneak treats from somewhere but my sister and I never did. But then Easter day was like going to heaven. Chocolate eggs. Roast chicken lunch with softdrinks and pudding. 