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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Holy lives of inspiration | Return to the Church
As we have stepped into the New Year, we are reminded of the festive celebrations and activities that marked the past week. We’ve shared sweets, meals, laughter, and reflections on God’s Word. But as the celebrations subside, life begins to feel ordinary again. This transition can be dangerous, leading to laxity, a lack of enthusiasm, and a tendency to take things for granted.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
It’s fitting that we remember and pray to both Saint Basil and Saint Gregory today, for they were close friends. Together they fought against a heresy called Arianism, which sought to deny the full divinity of Jesus.
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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.
Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Recently, after a Sunday Mass that I had preached about the importance of going to Mass as a family, I spoke to a young father. He told me that he agreed with me but that sometimes, life seems to get in the way of families going to Mass. On the one hand, there was a bridal shower that some of his family got the wrong day and so didn’t make it to the morning Mass, and then there was his daughter who said that going to Mass on Monday at her Catholic school should count instead of Sunday. We all know that life is continually changing, especially within the family. There are more challenges in our society’s weekend scheduling and our kid's perspective on whether being told it’s their obligation to go to Mass is a help or a hindrance. In my childhood and high school years, going to Sunday Mass was as natural as going out to breakfast after Mass. You’d see your neighbors at Mass and also at the diner afterward. Wanting to see your family grow in faith now comes with more and more obstacles; however, God never asks for the impossible.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
As Advent draws to a close, today’s readings share two deeply moving stories—those of Manoah and his wife, and Zechariah and Elizabeth. Both couples endured the profound heartache of being without children, a struggle that brought cultural stigma, personal pain, and perhaps moments of silent questioning. Their journeys invite us to reflect on the power of faith, patience, and endurance.
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In the Gospel of Matthew, following the genealogy of Christ, we are introduced to Joseph. Let me share with you a remarkable story I once came across, a story of courage, trust, and unseen protection.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
“Why?” That’s one question asked when today’s gospel appears at Mass. Why do we proclaim and listen to three sets of 14 generations of a family? Couldn’t we just cover the highlights or do what every kid has considered and use the Cliff Notes version? Well, since it’s Sacred Scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit, there must be a good reason. And here is one: it is the story of a family from Abraham to Jesus, a reminder of how God’s plan for our salvation required generations of a family and centuries of time.
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