famnotime

Building Faith in your Family

 

In Follow the Way of Love, the US Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on the Family, we are reminded that the family is our first community and the most “basic way the Lord gathers us, forms us and acts in the world.” and for that reason, the family is often called the domestic church.  Part of the work of families is to pass on faith, to educate children in what we Catholics believe, and to strengthen ourselves for our mission in the world. 

Parents and Guardians are busy, overwhelmed by responsibilities, and perhaps unsure how to undertake the task of forming their children in faith.  Yet, studies indicate that children who have had a family faith experience grow to be adults who have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ and are committed to their faith as adults.  In addition, families that integrate their faith into their daily family life nurture children who do the same thing when they become adults. In other words, families that nurture faith grow disciples.

 

Faith filled families

  • Talk about God and how God is present in their lives.
  • Pray.
  • Talk about what they believe and why they believe it.
  • Share how their faith informs their daily decisions and lives and how it impacts their opinions and positions on larger, societal issues.
  • Discuss moral questions that they face and that society as a whole faces.
  • Practice putting their faith into action as a function of their status as baptized people.

 

This website will offer you some small things you can do to help your children grow in faith and in their relationship with God.  Whether you have a little time or a lot of time, commit yourself to spending intentional time growing together in the light and love of Jesus.