Parish and Family Relationships
Growing Through Caring Relationships Across Generations
Catholics believe that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God, that we share a "family resemblance" on the spiritual level. The inherent nature of God is communal - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - sharing such an intimate relationship that God is not three, but one. Human beings, made in the image and likeness of God, are likewise inherently communal. We are called to faith not as individuals, but as a community.
Trinity as the Shape of Faith
Father Michael Himes |
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The Communion of Saints
The communion of saints, is the spiritual union of the members of the Christian Church, living and the dead. They are all part of a single "mystical body", with Christ as the head, in which each member contributes to the good of all and shares in the welfare of all.
The concept of the communion of saints is linked with Paul's teaching, as in Romans 12:4-13 and 1 Corinthians 12, that in Christ Christians form a single body. Borrowing from the Letter to the Hebrews and from theologian and Sister of St. Joseph Elizabeth Johnson, we can imagine the communion of saints as a giant stadium of people, all of whom have run, or are running, a great race. As each of us takes our turn at the starting line, we are lifted up by the love and encouragement of all those who know well the challenges ahead of us and who have stayed to accompany us and cheer us on. “It is a matter of being inspired by the whole lot of them, this cloud of witnesses to the living God,” writes Johnson, quoting Hebrews: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us” (12:1-2).
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10 things to know about the real St. Patrick
On March 17, people around the world will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by parading in green hats, sporting images of shamrocks and leprechauns – tiny, grinning, fairy men – pinned to their lapels. Patrick’s picture will adorn greeting cards: an aged, bearded bishop in flowing robes, grasping a bishop’s staff and glaring at a coil of snakes.
The icon refers to one of Patrick’s legendary miracles in which he is said to have prayed to banish all snakes from Ireland. However, as a historian of medieval Ireland, I can assure you that the real St. Patrick, who lived and worked in the fifth century, never saw a snake or wore a shamrock. Patrick’s own writings and early accounts of the saint’s career reveal many interesting details about the life of this patron saint of Ireland. Here are 10 things you may not know about St. Patrick. Read More. |
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VeggieTales: St. Patrick
The life of Maewyn Succat - AKA St. Patrick told on a fanciful flannel graph.
A very funny, entertaining, and informative video on the history of St. Patrick.
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Family - The Domestic Church
The Spirituality of Parenting: Connecting Heart and Soul
by Kathy Hendricks It often seems that parenting is more an obstacle to genuine spirituality, rather than an avenue to mystery. But in Spirituality of Parenting, Kathy Hendricks asks parents to reflect on their role and to nourish their own spirituality in the midst of their busy and complicated lives. Parents are encouraged to care for their own hearts while navigating the blessings and challenges of family life.
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Hospitality
Hospitality Is Biblical – and It's Not Optional
It’s not a coincidence that Jesus did most of his teaching while at table over a meal. Learning at the table would have been natural to him. As a boy, he probably first learned many of the traditions and history of the Jewish people through mealtime prayers and from the celebratory rituals that preceded feasts. Jewish prayers are filled with history and are often mini-catechisms.
Once Jesus began his public ministry, he was often on the road and had to depend on the hospitality of strangers for meals and a place to rest. Not only did he use those meals as an opportunity to teach, but he also used the language of hospitality to describe God and his kingdom. Read More. |
16 Tips To Improving Your Parish Hospitality
Every parish has visitors, but not every visit is the same. Are your visitors having a positive experience? Will they come back? Do they feel welcomed? How is our hospitality to these visitors?
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Let’s give a warm welcome
If parishes lose the Catholic tradition of hospitality, they risk losing members.
One place we can and should be reminded of what true hospitality is--and given a chance to practice it--is in our parish.
Read one family's experience. |
Stewardship
"Stewardship is not simply making donations or taking care of the building and grounds. It is a spirituality - hence a way of life - made of four parts: receiving the gifts of God with gratitude; cultivating them responsibly; sharing them lovingly in justice with others; standing before the Lord in a spirit of accountability." (Stewardship and Young Adults, USCCB)
Catholic Tithing and Almsgiving
The 5 P’s of Giving
“Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 There are many references in the Bible to how and what God wants us to give and to the blessings of giving. When we give the way God says to give, He wants us to be blessed not just in financial ways but in our lives. God wants us to be cheerful givers. Each one must enjoy the understanding and idea of giving. There are five major touchstones to help us understand the big picture of what giving to God means. Read More about them. |
"The Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church so that the Church has what is necessary for divine worship for apostolic works and works of charity end for the decent sustenance of ministers."
Each of us should evaluate what we do "give back to God" through our support of the Church and charitable organization. For example, we should ask, "Do I give to God each week at least what I spend on entertainment, such as movies? Do I give to God d least one hour's worth of my 40 hour paycheck?" Read More. See Also: The Teaching of the Catholic Church on Tithes |
Karl Rabeder lives an opulent lifestyle. He has a talent for making and spending money. He’s been blessed with all the worldly possessions most people could imagine. He has a villa overlooking the Alps, an $850,000 farmhouse, gliders, expensive cars and a fortune worth about five million dollars.
But he’s trying to get rid of it all. Mr. Rabeder says that while vacationing with his wife in Hawaii it hit him how soulless his five-star lifestyle was. He felt like everyone around him was acting and it prevented him from knowing real people. On gliding trips to South America and South Africa he had the nagging feeling that there must be a connection between his wealth and the poverty around him. This feeling of injustice that he felt eventually prompted him to downsize until there there was nothing left and it has given him a sense of freedom that he never had when he was surrounded by luxury. Read More. |