A faith-filled home life

As Catholic parents, we teach our children the ways of our faith through our own example of prayer, receiving the sacraments, and how we live what we learn and believe.  We strive to teach our children what it means to be a member of God’s family, the Church.  Last year I sent home a list of prayers that each child should know at each grade level.  This is to be worked on over the summer, so I am reviewing:

Kindergarten & Grade One:  Even before they begin preschool, we teach our toddlers the Sign of the Cross, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Morning and Bedtime Prayers, and Grace before meals.  Get the children used to coming to Mass by bringing them to church.  Help them understand how we behave and why we are reverent.  Begin to help them bless themselves with holy water upon entering church, and how to answer the prayers of Mass.

By the time a child is in second grade and ready to begin preparing for Reconciliation and First Communion, they should have memorized and be praying regularly the following prayers:
Sign of the Cross, Hail Mary, Our Father, Glory Be.  They should be saying morning and bedtime prayers, Grace before Meals. Children of this age should be attending Mass weekly with their families and being taught the responses to the prayers of Mass. Reverent behavior is expected whenever we are in church. By the end of November, Second Graders will learn and commit to memory the Act of Contrition.

Children in Grades 3 and 4 should know the above prayers, the Act of Contrition, the Nicene Creed that we say at Mass, and the Apostles Creed.  They should be familiar with praying the Rosary.  They should have some knowledge of and be able to talk about the Stations of the Cross. Children of this age should not only be attending Mass weekly, but be following along and praying the prayers of Mass.  They should also be exhibiting reverent behavior whenever in church.

Children in Grades 5 through 8 should have a command of all of the above prayers, be celebrating the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist often and fully and actively participate at Mass.  Hopefully by now they have shown interest in being a part of the parish community by becoming an altar server, member of the choir, etc.  Helping children of this age and older, become a part of the faith life of our parish will help you, as parents, because you have shown them and they have a clear understanding of what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ.  They have been shown the example of what it means to live a life of faith because it is practiced at home by you, encouraged by their PREP and sacrament catechists, fed by the Eucharist and grace of the sacraments, and lived out because they regularly gather to worship and serve with the rest of the faith community of our parish.

Partners in Faith is produced and sent home every month.  In this flyer there are good conversation starters for home discussion, as well as some ‘fun facts’ about our faith that answer commonly asked questions.  The summer edition, as well as a summer calendar, is attached to this newsletter.  I encourage you to read this with your family to foster good discussion in the car or at the dinner table.

PREP isn’t over when the bell rings!  “Love isn’t love ‘til you give it away!”  Think about it for a moment.  Once we become aware of God’s love for us and we keep that love strong by learning about our faith and sharing it, then we practice it by going to Mass, receiving the sacraments, and living it in our day to day lives, how can we keep that goodness to ourselves?  Talk about class on the ride home.  Talk about the readings at Mass, Father’s homily.  How can you as a family live what you’ve learned?  As you find different ways to serve God and show his love to others, try them.  At the end of the week talk about it and see how you kept your word.  Be aware of the changes that happen as you nourish and grow your faith filled home.

Try This At Home is a weekly tip for keeping faith-filled families talking.  It is sent out every Sunday morning by the Diocesan CYM (Youth Ministry) Office.  Anyone can subscribe to receive this weekly mailing by logging onto www.cdowcym.org/trythis/subscribe.html .  There is even an option to share something that your family already does to keep our Catholic faith alive in your home.  Log on and subscribe today!