Reflect and Journal

Think about the kinds of questions that your children usually ask. Are they what questions? How questions? Who or why questions?

Which are the most difficult?

Would you consider your faith to be more taught, caught, or sought? Who had the biggest influence on your faith? Take some time to reflect upon your own faith.

I actively try to model my faith to my family and friends.

I go to Mass every Sunday.

I read the Bible every day I find time to pray each day.

I spend time studying the teachings of the Catholic Church.

I go to the Sacrament of Penance.

I understand and try to practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

I know the importance of serving the poor and actively try to do so

I invoke the intercession of the Blessed Mother and the Saints.

Pay attention to the areas that are growth opportunities for you.

• Which areas are the strongest?

• Which area would you like to improve?

• What is one tangible step that you can take to develop your faith?

Practice: The Socratic Method

Thinkabouta hot-button topicyourchildrenhaveaskedyouabout.Practice yourresponsewithafriend,afamilymember,oranotheradultbyusingthe Socratic method. Was this approach helpful? What did it teach you?

Pray: For God’s Help in Parenting

God our Father, author of life and from whom all blessings flow, I thank you for the gift of being a parent (grandparent, teacher, catechist).

My children are among my most precious gifts from you. Guide me in leading my children to you.

Strengthen me in faith, especially in times when I am afraid, upset, and angry.

Remind me to call upon you when I forget you.

Be with me, Lord, in the highs and the lows, the peaks and the valleys

Help me, Lord, to remember that I too am your beloved child.

I praise you for the gift of life.

In your most precious and holy name I pray, Amen.

Takesometimetoreflectuponyourownfaith.Onascaleof1to10,with 1being“weak”and10being“strong,”howwouldyouratethestrength ofyourfaith?YourknowledgeoftheCatholicfaith?Yourpracticeofyour Catholic faith?

Recommended Resources

Foryou: Findingafewminutestotakeabreakinthedaycanbedifficult whenwearemovingfromonethingtoanother.LoyolaPresshasyoucovered!Its three-minute retreatsinviteyoutotakeashortbreakonyour computer orphone.The Three-Minute Retreatappisfreeandbringsyoua newretreateachdayinEnglishorSpanish.Youcanfinditinyourapp store.

Foryour children: HowaboutaCatholicvideogame? Wanderlight:A Pilgrim’s Adventure isahighlyimmersive,fullynarratedgameexperiencethat encouragesplayerstotravelthroughthree quest-filled realmstoexplore,to pray,todogoodworks,andtolearnkeyaspectsoftheCatholicfaith.Itis best suited for children between the ages of 5 and 12.