Father Mark's Musings from the August 7th Bulletin:
An important ministry of our Parish family is how we as a Parish assist parents with the nurturing of the faith life of their children. At the beginning of every Baptism, the priest reminds the parents, as well as the godparents and the extended family, that Baptism is not just about the child they are presenting for Baptism. The sacrament of Baptism is also a commitment on their part to raise/nurture their child in the Catholic faith. At the same time, they are assured that the Parish family will assist them.
To nurture the faith life of children and youth is not just to educate them about our Catholic faith. It is not just to hand on information. While passing on information about the faith is important, it is even more important for our children and youth to be drawn into living the faith.
For example, they need not only to be taught the words of the prayers of our faith, but also to pray - to live in the presence of God, to talk to God and to experience God talking to them. We are blest as a Parish by those of our Parish family (parents, grandparents and members of the Parish) who step forward to teach our children and youth in our Parish faith formation program. But nurturing the faith must include more than a classroom experience. It must
include witnessing how faith is a part of life. Is that not what saying a prayer of thanksgiving before meals as a family is? Is that not what giving praise and worship to God by gathering together at Mass is? Is that not what talking with their children about what they are learning in the faith formation program is?
Our children and youth are bombarded in their day-to-day lives with prejudices about the Catholic faith. We are seekers of truth through the light/grace given us by God through the presence of Holy Spirit. How do we instill that in our children and youth? How do we instill that being seekers of truth through the light/grace given us by God through the presence of the Holy Spirit does not always receive a favorable response from others? How do we instill in our
children and youth to be open to that light/grace when they themselves do not understand fully or see the truth of our Catholic faith?
The best way to nurture the faith of our children and youth is for them to witness living what we desire to pass on. This is how parents, grandparents, and all of us are a part of the faith formation program of our Parish.
