Back-to-school sales started just after the Fourth of July. Most of them focused on the supplies kids need to make the shift from summer to fall — the stuff. But […]
Living like St. Francis of Assisi
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs. ~ St. Francis of Assisi On […]
Count your blessings: Gratitude walks
There’s a chill in the air and I know I’m going to have to wear a heavier jacket, gloves and a hat when I take my walk. My regular walking […]
Helping kids understand the dignity of others
In his Theology of the Body, St. John Paul II argued that the opposite of love isn’t hate. The opposite of love is “use” — that is, when you use somebody. When you love somebody, you treat them like a person. You build them up. You make them feel special. In some way — big or small — you help them grow into a stronger, better, happier, healthier or holier version of themselves. That’s what love does. Find more about helping kids understand the dignity of others.
How to teach about Lenten sacrifice
An important lesson of Lent is sacrifice. So often, this lesson is lost in the cacophony of our consumer world. Sacrifice is not easy. It’s more than giving up a bad habit. It’s about recognizing what distracts you and surrendering that yearning for what you think you want. Sacrifice can be emotionally painful and demands commitment. But doing something difficult helps us understand ourselves in a deeper, more meaningful way. How do we parents find a way back to the lesson of sacrifice? How do we instill the importance of this message when we are bombarded daily with the counter message of consumption and instant gratification? Visit us online for some help in how to explain sacrifice to your Catholic kids.