The Praying Family

By DANA THIRSTRUP

"The family that prays together, stays together.” I think most of us have heard this saying that was popularized most recently by St. Mother Teresa, but originally popularized in the Catholic world by an Irish priest named Fr. Patrick Peyton. Fr. Peyton devoted his life and priesthood to promoting family prayer and the rosary, and he was often dubbed as “the Rosary Priest.” In fact, Fr. Peyton got the phrase from another man named Al Scalpone, who was the vice president of CBS in the 1950’s. Isn’t our media world in a much different place today? Whoever said it, it is true. The family that prays together, stays together. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta also said, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” A healthy family prayer life is so important that it can actually change the world!

One roadblock to family prayer can be knowing how to pray. We know it’s important to pray, but how do we actually do it as a family in a way that is engaging to all members, from young to old? The Diocese of Winona-Rochester has offered The Praying Family during Advent and Lent as a way of giving families tools and materials to pray together, fostering a life of prayer all year. This Advent, we are offering a Family Adoration Starter Pack that encourages families to sit with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration.

We know what you might be thinking. “My two-year-old will only annoy everyone in the Adoration chapel.” Or, “We don’t even have an Adoration chapel, and our parish is closed when our family would be able to be in the church for prayer.” We are aware of the many hurdles that exist when trying to bring your family to Adoration together, so we have put together ideas and materials to best serve many various ages, specifically focusing on the very young. Any amount of time in front of Jesus in the Eucharist for our children is important, even if it’s just for 10 minutes or less.

In the Family Adoration Pack you will find “My First Little Adoration Booklet” and two interactive Advent companions for children that includes coloring pages and activities. We will also provide saint cards for them to become more familiarized with Catholic saints. These items come in a Family Adoration Tote Bag so you can store everything together and travel easily back and forth to Adoration.

To kick off The Praying Family Advent, the Diocese of Winona-Rochester is hosting Family Adoration at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Owatonna around 4:00pm on Sunday, Dec. 3. Please check our website at www.dowr.org or theprayingfamily.weebly.com for more updates. This event is free, and we will be offering a free dinner for families after Adoration. To order The Praying Family Advent Pack, you can either purchase a pack at our Family Adoration event, or ask your local Faith Formation Coordinator to fill out The Praying Family Order Form they have all received. Each pack is $10 each, and Family Adoration is open to all ages and demographics, single, married, and with or without children. Know of our prayers for you as you foster your own life of prayer and that of your family so our Church may be a beacon of light in a world of darkness.

-Dana Thirstrup is the Director of Youth Ministry and Faith Formation