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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Catholic YouTube | family prayer | fostering vocations
Few things in modern America are more countercultural than becoming a Catholic deacon, priest, or sister. Why would people want to give their lives and freedom and limit their own choices just to serve Christ in the Catholic Church? On Aug. 18, Family Theater Productions seeks answers to those questions in a new YouTube series titled God Calls: Catholic Vocation Stories. Producer on the series is Jay Cooney (Christopher Award-winning Special Abilities: Living Fully With Down Syndrome, Telly Award-winning Grace in Grief: Hope After Loss), with help from FTP producer-at-large Father Vince Kuna, C.S.C. Together, they gathered the vocation stories of several men and women who’ve taken this path -- a deacon, priests, and religious sisters -- and learned a few things themselves along the way.
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Miraculous Medal | everyday miracles | family prayer
Katherine Doyle describes four miracles she personally witnessed after receiving a Miraculous Medal during a time of crisis. I remember my grandma always wearing a Miraculous Medal. Hers was silver and small. She was deeply devoted to Mary, but unfortunately, I never asked her how this came to be. The question never occurred to me. Reflecting back on this, I see this missed opportunity as a testament of my youth. Her religiosity was profound, and I just assumed she was always like that. Grandma went to Mass every day and was an active member in her parish. My grandparents unfailingly recited their nightly Rosary after dinner. The light would flicker off her rosary and her Miraculous Medal as I would watch her pray with her eyes closed, so focused on God.
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Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.
Summer Vacation | catholic family life | family prayer
Wondering how to integrate faith into your family travel plans this summer? Catholic Mom writer Megan Cottam explores five ways to incorporate faith into your family's summer travels, enriching your vacation experiences and deepening spiritual connections. The sun is finally shining. The onslaught of spirit day memos, special projects due, lunch duties, and awards assemblies slowly fades into the background. The time has finally come for a change in pacing, and with that comes the exciting prospect of family vacations. Whether it’s a spontaneous getaway or a multiple-families-involved, years-in-the-making event, vacations can knock us out of our routines. This can benefit our family connections, restore our souls, and give us some much-needed grounding in our lives. However, this routine-breaking can also cause a slip in some of our faith practices. While it makes sense to tell our work emails and house to-do lists to take a back seat, do we really want to tell God, “See ya later” during what we hope will become joyful and life-long memories? On the contrary, vacations are fertile soil for developing faith traditions in our families.
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catholic devotions | family prayer | how to pray the rosary
Discover seven essential devotions to enhance your prayer life, recommended by a priest for busy mothers seeking spiritual growth and connection with God. My favorite priest came to speak to our mothers’ group a few years ago. At the time, my prayer time was GREATLY lacking. I didn’t pray at all, unless you include Mass on Sundays. He shared seven different prayers and practices that should be on our non-negotiable list. Ever since, I strive to do all the items he suggested, and when I fall off track, I go straight back to the list. If you feel called to up your prayer routine, try adding one new devotion a week or even each month to help build the habit.
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Catholic Mass | catholic family life | family prayer
Catholic Mom contributor Lea McCarthy points out the humorous and the divine in bringing small children to church, reminding mothers of our vital role in the mystical Body of Christ. I’m going to tell you a story. Once upon a time, there was a young lady who came to Mass before the readings began. She picked a pew and didn’t leave it until it was time to receive Holy Communion. She carried a small purse or sometimes just her keys. She didn’t even know where the church bathroom was, for she never had to use it. Mass was a peaceful, quiet experience.
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Family Activities | catholic parenting | family prayer
Catholic Mom contributor Jake Frost reflects on what will truly transform our kids' lives in the era of AI. There’s been a lot in the news about how AI will transform the lives of our children. When I see things like that, I can’t help but think: Nothing will transform the lives of our kids like their parents. No screen, app, or artificial anything compares to the real impact of parents caring, praying, working, and loving their children 24/7 — and leading their children to Jesus Christ, Who will transform their lives like nothing else can. Helping our kids come to know and love Jesus, giving them the treasure of great price that surpasses all else in value, and introducing them to the best and only friend they’ll ever have or need is the greatest thing anyone can do for our children. And they won’t get that from any chatbot. No large language model will lead them to The Word.
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