The Four Loves

In its most simple form, authentic love is the ability to will the good of the other.  The basic truths about authentic or real love are; Love is primarily a choice, not just a feeling. Emotional response is a good part of love, but like all emotions it should be controlled and guided by reason,…

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Tasks of the Family

Becoming a family means that you, as the parent, will lead your family towards the completion of a Godly mission. This mission comes from the document Familiaris Consortio (On the Role of the Family in the Modern World) which was written by Pope John Paul II. In his writings, the Pope identified four main tasks…

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Setting Expectations of Goodness within your Family

One of the main tasks of good Catholic parents is to set high expectations for their children. This is often done by setting basic expectations within the life of the family. But part of being the “primary educators” of our children is also to set expectations that the young people under our care grow in virtue and build their character.

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True Joy Comes from Self-Control and Striving

Download the PDF Where do your children find joy? I teach at a Catholic school whose motto is “Joyfully Catholic.” Students will sometimes claim that we are not living up to our motto because we hold high standards for them. We give our students homework and expect them to complete it. We expect them to…

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The Importance of Community

Necessary Conversations Last Easter my wife, children, and I arrived at my parents’ house after a harrowing, icy trip. We arrived to a dark house and a dark neighborhood. The power had gone out and the power company didn’t think it would be back up for 24 hours or more. We had to finish Easter…

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Resolve to Waste Time with your Children

Download the PDF A few years ago, Pope Francis sent out a challenge to parents across the globe. His simple and direct tweet said: Parents, can you “waste time” with your children? It is one of the most important things you can do each day. This mike drop tweet from our Holy Father reminds me…

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Tis the Season to Receive

Download the PDF How we receive gifts is just as important as how we give them. This lesson was driven home to me as I experienced the difference between how my wife’s family celebrated Christmas and my family’s tradition. My wife’s family tends to form their family traditions around practical considerations, such as impatient children,…

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Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

Necessary Conversations As we approach Christmas our thoughts are drawn to the comfortable sights and sounds of the holiday. As followers of Jesus, we remember the “reason for the season” by reflecting on Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Another thing that Christmas should remind us of, however, is that the manger that the baby Jesus was…

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Civility: Time for a Comeback

Download the PDF A recent experience literally made me stop in my tracks in disbelief. While on my nightly walk, I noticed a group of grade school children arguing in a neighbor’s yard. Their voices were extremely angry as they stood face to face poised for physical combat. Unmistakably, a line had been drawn about…

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