August 5, 2016

Parents: Make time for prayer, Sunday Mass a priority for your family

By John Shaughnessy

As a new school year begins, the focus for children and adults usually turns to studies, sports and other extracurricular activities. Yet the school year can also be a time for families to strengthen their faith.

Catholic school principals from across the archdiocese were recently asked to share their advice on how children and parents can work together to strengthen their faith. Here are some of their thoughts:

“Pray with, around and for your children each morning when you wake,” says Angela Bostrom, principal of St. Malachy School in Brownsburg. “Before they leave for school, say this pray with them, ‘Dear Jesus, I love you. Please help me this day to be kind, gentle and quick to obey.’ ”

“The source and summit of the Catholic faith is the Eucharist,” says Matt Hollowell, the principal of Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis. “So celebrate the Eucharist as a family at a Mass every Sunday.”

“Read Matthew Kelly’s Building Better Families,” says Kim Becker, principal of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Richmond. “We incorporate some of the ideas in our daily announcements. Also, make the 10 Commandments a priority— especially ‘Keep holy the Sabbath.’ ”

“It’s not too late for our families to celebrate this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy,” says Mindy Ernstberger, principal of Our Lady of Providence Jr./Sr. High School in Clarksville.

She suggests that families travel either to SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis or the Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln in St. Meinrad to pass through the “Doors of Mercy” there as part of the process for receiving a plenary indulgence.

“By this experience, families can truly grow spiritually together.” †

 

Related story: High school seniors advise incoming freshmen on how to make the most of their experience

Local site Links: