Parent Connect

I must confess.  My family of college graduates and middle schoolers does not always reflect the domestic church. In teaching my kids to think for themselves, I often wonder if I could have raised them to be a little more obedient.

Yesterday after lunch, my kids were about to scatter when I required them to all come back and sit down.  My youngest quipped, “Mom’s gonna make us all tell something we’re thankful for.”  A fair round of laughter followed.  So, I changed it up on them.  “I’d like us all to share one thing we are sorry for. Then, when we’re all done, we’ll pray an Act of Contrition.”  

What followed was beautiful.  By the grace of God, we all had just the right amounts of contrition and compassion.  We listened to each other (what, no interrupting?), prayed together (what, no goofing off?), and felt just a little be restored. 

Aristotle believed one must first experience a disease before being able to cure it.  Like you, I am learning day-by-day how to parent faithfully during a quarantine.  Thankfully, the church lifts up and supports the family by guiding us through shared religious experiences.  The church helps us through stress and uncertainty.  The warmth and structure of authoritative parenting foster confidence and social responsibility in our children.  Families of faith fare better.  

At Blessed Sacrament we are real people, Real Presence.  In our most recent bulletin, Father Benny reflects beautifully on motherhood and refers to our Adoration Chapel as “the hallmark of Blessed Sacrament Parish.”  Amen! Watch for new worship opportunities when the church moves into Phase Two. 

How wonderful it will be to rekindle friendships.  To get started, join our Parent Connect community on Wednesday May 13 at 8 pm.  Email me to register.  Take the time to check in with one another and take way faith-inspired ideas for thriving through quarantine.  And, hear what we are working on for summer and fall. We are Blessed Sacrament!

Art, Faith, and Mother's Day

Did you know that St. Pope John Paul II was an artist?  Yes! A poet, a playwright, and an actor himself.  In 1999, he wrote His Letter to Artists to speak about art as contributing to the common good.  Society needs artists just like scientists, teachers, clergy, and government leaders.  In his letter, St. John Paul II wrote about the connection of the “religious experience and artistic beauty.” The words true, honorable, just, pure, and lovely (Philippians 4:8) are only such in the context of God.

How can we create art at home?  One idea is to paint rocks with sacred images, add a layer of decoupage, and place them along walking paths in the community.  Art is the new evangelization!  We can also use word, music, flour, fabric, dirt, or paint to make a gift for mom.   Please send us a picture of your at-home creations and we will add it to our website’s “Art Collection 2020.” 

Wishing you a creative, artistic, and prayerful Mother’s Day. 

Mother Mary, pray for us. 

Send us a picture of your creation and join "Parent Connect"

Happy May!  

Appreciate Mom, honor Our Mother, and plant a Mary Garden!  Read about how to plant a Mary Garden with "beauty and prayer."  Did you know impatiens are called "Our Lady's Earrings" because of their curving stem?  Marigolds remind us of the Queenship of Mary.  Be sure to email me a picture of your Mary Garden and we'll add it to our Parish Photo Album on our church website.  

We are all called to create.  Let art be your springboard to prayer!  Honor Our Mother Mary with your painting, crafting, gardening, and more.  You keep the art and send us a picture.  Visit our church website, "Art Collection 2020" to see what kids and adults have created so far.  Thank you to all for sharing!

Families, how are you doing?  Ups and downs? Absolutely.  You are not alone.  Is this a time of conversion?  You bet.  Parents, like the early apostles in the book of Acts, we are on a mission.  We do not want to go back to normal.  Let us go back to better. 

Now is a great time to unify in prayer and purpose. Join others for Parent Connect, an online discussion with fellow adults in your church community. Be affirmed in your mission as a family of faith and take away practical ideas to support you on your mission. Mark your calendars for a Zoom call on Wednesday May 13 at 8:00 pm.  Send me an email to register.  See you soon!