Welcome to our Faith & Family page! Check in every few days for a new post from our Faith & Family Coordinator, Laura Danner. We welome you to email Laura and share what you are doing with your family to keep sane and happy these days! We will share your ideas. Remember we are all in this together. We have a faith community of made up of many caring families. Let's stick together and get through this difficult time. May we all come out better for it, closer to God and closer to each other!
 

Friday, April 3

We're coming up on Palm Sunday and for probably the first time in your or my life, will be celebrating without palms. How will we go on? Obviously, participate in a great streaming Mass online! Light a candle, setup a seating area to do all the sit-stand-kneeling required-- just as if you were actually there. That would be enough. 
 
For those with littles though, I'm anticipating the reading of the Passion being particularly tough out of context-- so lets get creative! Try one of these ideas: 
 
--Grab some branches of some sort from your yard for them to hold and wave (no worries about tickling the ear of the people in front of you this year!). 
 
--Make a cross ahead of time for them to hold and focus their hearts on-- there are a few ideas here. 
 
--Or try setting the stage with a re-enactment of some of the more doable parts. 
 
--You might even choose to pop on a video re-cap. There are definitely reasons to expect even the youngest child to fully (as they can) participate in Mass, but there are also times when it'll be prudent to seek alternatives-- and when they can be spiritually enriching or educational (as with Children's Liturgy or this video), all the better! 

A few years ago I made it tradition to watch Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ on Palm Sunday, a sort of annual pilgrimage of the heart. It's a tough watch, yes-- but can the suffering serve a purpose? Might the pause it gives and some of the (less gory) images be good for our souls? I believe so. 
 
This time of the liturgical year isn't meant to be easy; and this year particularly, it's a tough task we've been given to endure so much isolation and unknowing during and beyond Lent. The Passion-- whether we're hearing it at Mass, reading it in the Gospel, or watching a Hollywood production-- gives meaning to that task. It reminds us of the Easter that comes a few days after Good Friday, of the promise of victory in the end. Getting in touch with the one who suffered ultimately so that we could experience victory ultimately can only be a blessing this Lent maybe more than any. 
 
[To be sure, I would not recommend The Passion of Christ for young children, probably a mature highschooler soonest (maybe it's a date night in the bedroom while the kiddos watch something else in the family room?). While we're back on the topic of movies, you can find really helpful ratings, reviews and perspectives on many current films at both of these two sites--- Common Sense Media (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/) OR Catholic News Service Movie Reviews (https://www.catholicnews.com/movies.cfm). Informed decisions are much more likely to be good decisions.]
 

Wednesday, April 1

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

Over a week ago now, it so happened that on the first day my husband was allowed to work from home, the Pope suggested we all join in a 4pm rosary-- the very time at which he finishes his day... I had started the morning with living-room Mass (as close to 8:15 as I could manage it), got to serve up lunch for the whole fam together, and then knew I had that 4pm deadline to work the rest of our day's activities around. And a rhythm was born. 
 
I am not by nature a structure person. I like to float, to go where I will when I will (you can imagine how easy the transition to motherhood was for me!). Yet I can't deny that every time I discipline myself to ritual or commit to consistency, it does pay off. Lots of people have been saying, during corona-time, to make a plan for your day and stick to it. The Church is no stranger to discipline. It's primary prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours, binds it's priests and religious to scripted prayer 7 times throughout the day and night. But why? 
 
Spiritual discipline gives meaningful form to our days. Ritual prayer calls our hearts back to him who loves us. It beckons us to right order. So when you don't want to play one more round of ring-around-the-rosie (what?!) or go in search of yet more food for your teenage son (or toddler!) who just doesn't stop eating-- it provides respite. Not escape, but momentary pause. And fuel to press on with joy and purpose.
 
PLAN FOR PRAYER

While you’re at home, make a plan for when you’ll pray. And stick to it. The extent to which you make consistent and honest prayer a priority during this time is the direct extent to which love, peace and joy will flow out of you. -FOCUS team

So what will your prayer rhythm look like this week? The daily Mass, daily Rosary, daily Spiritual Communion many have been encouraging? Maybe you're more in the weekly scripture reading, daily decade, and a Glory Be kind of place. Whatever you choose, pick a few times during your day when, as nearly as possible, you will commit to showing up and slot them in there. After breakfast, as you sit down to dinner, whenever you get home from that daily walk. If your kids rebel, stick to it yourself. They'll receive benefits even if they're not directly involved, through you.

And above all?

Don't try to fill every free second with another FaceTime date, Zoom hangout, or virtual connection. Let yourself feel and enter into the silence that exists throughout your day. The Lord Himself is waiting to meet you in it. -Life Teen staff


Catholic During Covid-19
If you've got a middle or highschooler in the house, this is a nice reflection to share with them (and/or to reflect on yourself)! 
https://lifeteen.com/blog/catholic-covid-19/ 

Monday, March 30, 2020

Last week Fr. Damian wrote about St Elizabeth Ann Seton being the patroness of quarantines. He shared a link to the story that I hope you've had a chance to check out. If you'd like a way to share this story with your children, Holy Heroes has put out a Glory Stories audio account of her life that is just perfect. We love to listen to these in the car (though there's not a lot of that happening lately!). They're told in such an engaging and memorable way. I'd recommend for kids in 1st-5th grades. 
 

GLORY STORIES

To continue riffing off Fr Damian's reflection, lets take a minute to consider what a home chapel or prayer space might look like. I've found myself watching the Daily Mass videos that Msgr. Royal recommended, which take place in Bishop Robert Barron's chapel. If you can, go take a look... It is simple-- not busy or ornate to distraction. Yet there is just the right diversity of things to help re-focus your attention when mental drift starts to happen. The icons and artwork, the tabernacle and reliquary... my soul takes an out-breath as I enter each day; and I've found myself being drawn to one image in particular, over and over. I wonder if anything specific captures your attention? 
 
This week, what if we took some time to gather some beautiful things that could serve to lift our souls heavenward, and started building our own home prayer spaces? Consider including a crucifix and perhaps a Marian image; a bible or book of scripture reflections; and a rosary or other devotional meaningful to you and your family. What else might serve to draw you or your children into prayer more often? A particular book or candle? A statue with special meaning, or holy card? Music?
 
Next time we'll think about what anchor moments we can add to our day to help us more often utilize our space-- which is, of course, the idea! 
 

Friday, March 27

CATHOLIC FRIDAY NIGHT 

Who can't use a little mealtime inspiration now and again?! Take advantage of the Lenten meat restriction to plan something new for your family this week. Add in a prayer or bit of scripture for reflection before you dig in and you've got a recipe for a great Catholic Friday night. 

Friday Meatless Meals

MOVIE NIGHT!

Whether you want a religious experience or prefer bunnies, check out these links to some of the best Easter movies!
 

The Best Easter Movies to watch this Spring - Town & Country

25 Best Easter Movies to Keep the Entire Family Entertained - Oprah

SWEET FUN - Wed March 25

This week we're about mid-way through Lent--not at all too late to add in some prayer, fasting, or almsgiving to your daily routine! Here's one sweet idea for the kids. 
 
Be sure to send along a photo of your child(ren) with their first beans in their jar(s) by Friday.

FUN ACTIVITY -click here

Keeping Your Sanity - Mon March 23

No one expected we'd be looking for home-bound activity ideas in March, yet here's where we find ourselves. Check out this fun list of "How to Keep Your Sanity When You're Homebound." It looks like we may even get the snow needed for item #5! Consider printing out this list and sticking it on your fridge and when you're sensing a meltdown moment approaching, use it to redirect to some fun!  How to Keep Your Sanity When You're Homebound due to Weather - CatholicMom.com - Celebrating Catholic Motherhood