World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Easter season | Grandparenting | family prayer
With our youngest grandson preparing for First Communion, we recently had a three-generation conversation about Sacraments. The conversation included discussing what name the parents took for their Confirmation name. Everyone had a meaningful explanation of why they chose their particular name. The youngest asked what was Confirmation. The eldest explained that Confirmation confirms a mature choice to live in the light of faith in God, revealed by Jesus, and in the Holy Spirit. The seven-year-old immediately exclaimed, “I believe in God!”
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Celebrating family life | Lenten Reflections | family prayer
When our children were toddlers, we would socialize with other young families and try to shape how the kids played together, sharing, cooperating, taking turns, and being polite. It was a developmental challenge. When the little ones aren’t ready to share, forcing the issue can be counter-productive. It takes creative coaching and then waiting for development to take its course.
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We were trying to organize storage space recently and found a box of photo albums of our oldest grandchildren when they were very young. Many photos were from summertime, and the kids were playfully exploring the perennial gardens we had planted. It was a consolation for us to revisit the memories of the kids’ early childhood surrounded by vibrant blossoms. We didn’t get very far with our organizing. We spent most of our time leisurely reminiscing over the pictures.
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One of our grandsons is preparing for First Communion and recently practiced for first reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. With just a little humor, I asked his parent if the young one had been “repentant” during the practice. I was told that it was “just practice.” I wonder what a seven-year-old understands by repentance and reconciliation. At seven, we all knew what it was to hurt, feel guilt, be alone, or wish we hadn’t done or said something. We understood the need for healing and to have friendship restored.
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Parents and guardians who live in wintry areas are familiar with the acrobatics and manual dexterity required to dress their children for the out of doors. We are committed to keeping our young ones safe, warm, and healthy and protecting them from weather hazards.
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In this region, we are well into winter. We’ve had snow, rain, and gusty winds. I must admit a particular delight with the snow, even in light of the effort needed to clear it from walkways and driveways. There’s a fascination with the luminous brightness of newly fallen snow that covers and highlights the landscape.
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