Your Catholic Family School Year Calendar

Delia Barr, Diocese of Shreveport Director of Faith Formation

AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR AND ALL THE EXCITING ACTIVITIES AND COMMITMENTS THAT GO ALONG WITH THIS TIME OF YEAR, MAY I MAKE A SUGGESTION? Pray. Stop for a moment and pray about all the activities that will fill your time and your children’s time. Is God scheduled in there somewhere? Even if you are sending your child to a Catholic school and I pray you are, is God scheduled into your family calendar? Will he be present in your home and conversations? Will you make the commitment to always attend Mass on Sunday no matter what the athletic schedule is on the calendar?

All the research points to how important the parents’ role is in the child’s faith formation. It’s not the Catholic school or the faith formation (CCD) program’s sole responsibility for faith formation. Ultimately, it is the faith of the parents and how it is shared and practiced in the home that is essential.

I know the research and I know because I have lived this. My husband and I sent our sons to Catholic grade school and high school. We thought that by sending them to Catholic school, along with attending Mass on Sundays, we were all good. Were we wrong! We watched both our boys fall away from their faith or at least stop participating in the sacraments on a regular basis by themselves.

In our defense and with all honesty, our Catholic faith as a couple was at an elementary level at best. But through the grace of God, He guided us further into our faith journey. We began this deeper dive into our own faith journey when our boys were still home, but we truly didn’t know how to share this new deepening faith with our sons. I wish we had all the resources now available for family formation. We have both discussed if we could do it all over again, we would do things differently. First, we would share our faith journey with our children by sharing the ways we see the Holy Spirit working in our daily lives. We would also pray over our children, with our children, and for our children. We would not shy away from the tough conversations and would readily admit we don’t have all the answers. We would find joyfilled ways to express our love of our faith.

Now some good news, my husband and I pray every morning together and our prayer intentions always include our sons and the intention for them to grow and return to full participation of their faith. In the past year or so, our younger son has returned fully to his faith (PRAYER WORKS)! He always stayed close to his faith and that made a difference. Now he attends Mass regularly and has even signed up as a regular weekly adorer for his parish’s Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist. He calls and shares with us where he sees the Lord working in his life. He’s noticed some of his friends asking questions about his faith and they readily ask for prayers for their needs. He is blessed to have a heart to easily share his beliefs and to spread the Good News.

Our older son continues his journey, and he is in our prayers. He is very much aware that we want him to come home to his faith. I recently told him that I’m not giving up. God blessed me with these sons and all He asked of me was to prepare them to return to the Father in heaven. Heaven is the goal!

Remember, it’s not too late for your family! Glory in the role you play in your child’s faith! God chose you for these children; you’ve got this! Here are some ideas, books, websites to help you on this journey. Let us all be intentionally Catholic this year!

Helpful Tips from Delia on Your Journey In Faith This New School Year!

Six Ways To Help Your Children Stay Catholic

1. Don’t miss Mass on Sunday (sit up front)

2. Let your children see you go to Confession (they won’t go if you don’t go)

3. Pray the Rosary (at least once a week, try starting with a decade a day)

4. Know the faith so you can answer their questions (they will have questions)

5. Don’t expect someone else to catechize your children. (that’s your job)

6. Surrender your children completely to the will of God. (don’t stop praying)

Additional Resources

• Hallow App - Family Mass Prep (with paid subscription)

• Hallow App - for mom Women’s Devotional (with paid subscription)

• Formed.org (your parish may have a subscription)

• Franciscan at Home franciscanathome.com

• Holy Heroes holyheroes.com (we are called to prepare for Mass before we arrive, get into this practice with your children)

• Moms, join a bible study…look for Walking With Purpose Study or start one!

• Dads, join a men’s club and/or bible study…Knights of Columbus, check your bulletin or website for men’s studies or start one!