By Libby Blom
IN the intensifying Australian debate about faith education, a crucial component is consistently omitted – Mums and Dads.
Parents are the primary evangelisers of our children, however to share their faith, they must live it.
To achieve this parents must first develop their own personal religious life. You can’t live, what you don’t know.
To do this, families must participate in the sacraments as much as possible.
It starts with attending Mass to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist and attending confession more regularly.
The richness of the Catholic faith encourages families to pray to God,
Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Mother Mary, our guardian angels and other saints.
Family prayer and individual prayer should take place each day.
This may include saying the Holy Rosary as a family.
Another way to pray with children is to learn to sing hymns.
Faith can be further nourished through reading. Books on faith, spiritual life, the Church, and saints are easy to find.
A few authors to get started include: Pope Francis, C.S Lewis and GK Chesterton.
There are an excellent variety of Catholic children’s books in the Catholic market today, to help them to grow in faith.
It is in the day-to-day events of family life that we develop and live out our faith.
Domestic rituals ideas:
Sacred Space: A Place for Prayer
Create a small altar. Place on it a crucifix, bible, candle, and an image of Mary. Be prepared: set the time; be consistent; age appropriate; use symbols; regular prayer pattern (thank you, sorry, please help); traditional prayers.
Meal Time is Prime Family Time
Mealtime a time for sharing, recalling family and faith memories and developing values. Begin with a prayer. This is a major liturgy of the domestic church.
Blessing
As we help them snuggle into bed at night we can kiss them or make a sign of the cross on their forehead and say something like, “May God bless you and keep you safe always.”
Family prayer list
There is always someone we know in special need of prayers. The ritual of lighting a candle for them each evening acts as a simple reminder to pray for them and helps involve others.
Make Sunday special
Go to Mass as a family, preferably a Mass attended by other families. Explain what is happening to little children. Discuss the readings or homily with older children.
Celebrate Feast Days
Identify a saint for each family member – use their Christian name or confirmation name. Retell the story of their saint’s life (see www.catholic.org/saints). Mark the feast day in the calendar.
Practical Tips found on Passing on the Faith leaflet produced by the Australian Marriage and Family Council (ACMFC) www.acmfc.org.au/parents-passing-on-the-faith-2013/
