TranslateFamilies with Adolescent Children
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Families Reveal God’s Love
“Families are a sign of God’s presence.” This statement from the beautiful document on the family called “Follow the Way of Love,” says so much about the importance of family life in our world.
“When people talk about life in a family, they speak of love with its abiding peace, its searing pain, its moments of joy and disappointment, its heroic struggle and ordinary routines.
‘Family is where someone loves you no matter what,’ a teenager declares.
‘Family doesn't mean just mom, dad, and kids, but grandparents, aunts, uncles, and others,’ explains a Hispanic woman.
‘In a family you don't have to look very far to find your cross,’ a father observes.
‘My child asks me such mystical questions,’ reports a young mother. ‘I learn so much.’
The story of family life is a story about love—shared, nurtured, and sometimes rejected or lost. In every family God is revealed uniquely and personally, for God is love and those who live in love, live in God and God dwells in them (cf. 1 Jn 4:16).” (Follow the Way of Love)
Strong and healthy Catholic families are fundamental to our town communities and most certainly to our Catholic faith communities. With so many pressures to raise purpose-driven, faith-filled kids, while maintaining a happy, healthy marriage, Catholic parents need a support system – a community of people who share their values and care deeply about each member of their family. This is what being involved in your local Catholic parish is all about.
Living Your Catholic Faith in the Home
“Strong Catholic Families/Strong Catholic Youth,” a national organization that supports families in their quest to live their Catholic faith in the home, offers these thoughts and suggestions…
“religious faith and practice themselves exert significant, positive, direct and indirect influences on the lives of teenagers, helping to foster healthier, more engaged adolescents who live more constructive and promising lives” (Smith 2005, 263). Teens that practice and develop their faith beyond a superficial level appear happier and healthier than those who do not.
There are many actions—from simple to profound—that parents can take to create strong Catholic families and youth. Here are a few suggestions:
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Make meal times sacred and invite (apprentice) your children and teens in leading prayer. Use the dinner conversation to talk about daily events and situations, and strive to apply Catholic beliefs and values to them, such as the sacredness of all life, a special option for the poor and marginalized, treating others with respect and dignity, and the belief in an incarnate God who walks with us through life.
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Read and discuss Scripture as a family and invite each member to share what God is saying to them through the Scripture reading.
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Pray together outside of meal times and use simple blessings at night or to commemorate special milestones and events in the lives of family members.
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Display religious art around the house and make sure each person has a Bible of his or her own (geared toward the appropriate age level).
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Expect each person to become actively involved in some form of parish ministry and/or community service. Look for opportunities to serve together as a family.
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Make Mass, youth ministry, faith formation, and church events high family priorities and be sure to update your own faith.”
For more suggestions on living the Catholic faith in the home, view this resource book for families.
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Keeping Your Marriage StrongFor married couples in the midst of raising teenagers, life can be unpredictable and sometimes seem out of control. So much time and energy is spent on parenting alone – then add careers, household tasks, and financial challenges – it’s no wonder that marriages need special attention at these times. Praying together as a couple each day, just spending a few moments to thank God for our blessings and bring our most pressing problems to Him together, can make a huge difference in each spouse’s ability to work through difficulties and celebrate great moments together. Getting involved in some form of shared ministry may be one the greatest things you can do for your marriage. Joining your parish marriage ministry team or a parish Pre-Cana team in the area is an opportunity to serve others while enriching and strengthening your own marriage – a win-win for sure!
Resources
- Single Parent Families
- Step Families
- Youth Ministry
- Human Sexuality Guidelines
- Chastity
- Catholic Education
- Religious Education
- Marriage Resources
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