Family Formation

We tend to think of the Old Testament as mostly stories of events that happened before Jesus was born, and in a sense that’s true, But there are many, many details in the Old Testament that point to the future and God’s saving work through Christ, crucified and risen.  In fact, the Catechism of the [...]

Speaking of the upcoming Year of Faith (October 11, 2012-November 24, 2013), Pope Benedict warned against religious indifference and the risk that the flame of faith can fade or die in many parts of the world. Why am I posting this here?  As I listened to his brief address, I was just struck with a [...]

Church of Saint Paul families, have you “met” your seminarian yet?  During the January classroom meeting, each of your children received a card with the photo and name of a seminarian from our diocese.  We highly encourage you to pray for that man as often as possible and to establish a relationship with him in [...]

Question: What are the only three things God doesn’t know? Answer: What the Jesuits teach, what the Dominicans preach and how many orders of Franciscans there are! If you can relate to this old joke about sorting through the often confusing differences between hundreds of religious communities, you might want to spend some time with [...]

Why not use today’s school holiday to spend a little time with the Saints?  The CD in this month’s Home Lesson packet has the stories of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Saint John Neumann, Saint Paul Miki, and Saint Bernadette.  We suggest you start your day by staying in your pajamas, having a cup of cocoa [...]

Parents should respect and encourage their children’s vocations. They should remember and teach that the first calling of the Christian is to follow Jesus. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2253

Do you know how sad it is when you are talking to a young man about becoming a priest, and we’ll start chatting, and you see there is an interest there, and he has his wits about him, and the know-how and the enthusiasm and the sincerity, and then you’ll say to him, “How can [...]

Give your kids advance warning to pay special attention at this weekend’s Mass.  Hearing the Old Testament reading will be the perfect introduction to your Home Lesson on the Call of Samuel, and you can quiz older kids on the connection between the Old and New Testament readings.  (Sounds fun, right?) Also, you can be [...]