In times like the Coronavirus pandemic, where the majority of the world is affected, we need a practical and spiritual guide to search and find solace with.The COVID-19 pandemic has filled our lives with a growing list of unknowns: How long with the pandemic last? Will I get sick? Will one of my loved ones […]
Abortion. Euthanasia. Sacramental marriage. Artificial birth control. There is no question where Holy Mother Church stands on these issues. She frequently sounds the clarion call to remind us of our moral obligations in murky, godless societies. But what about gun control? Is there an undeniably clear Catholic position? Does your gun control position affect your salvation?
Much like Easter, Confirmation suffers a mental ‘exit point’ for many young Catholics. As Easter is looked upon as the end of parent-imposed Lenten fast, some Catholic children treat Confirmation as the end of having anything to do with going to Mass or living a Christian life.
Maintaining a weekly Mass attendance is probably more important than ever. Still, the temptation to make excuses will be strong. What if you live in a country that’s not predominantly Catholic? What if family circumstances get in the way? What if your job is compromised?
Are you looking for a beautiful statue of the Blessed Mother to adorn your garden? Maybe you prefer a statue of Christ, a Guardian Angel or your favorite patron saint. Regardless of your choice, there are a few important things to consider when deciding on an outdoor garden statue. Statue Material and the Weather The […]
As members of the Catholic Faith, we should all be excited for Christmas Day not because of the parties, delicious food and merrymaking but because of the spiritual meaning behind this holiday. This once-a-year occasion reminds us of Jesus Christ’s birth, an extraordinary event that shows us just how much God loves us. Many families gather together on Christmas day to celebrate and spend time with one another. Here are 5 ideas on how you and your family can make your get-together more meaningful.
Families often have traditions that capture their faith in God and cultivate their love for one another. These include special gatherings on religious holidays like Christmas, Easter, and All Saints’ Day. Traditions, ideally, should focus on values and relationships rather than material things. Parents can use these traditions as teachable moments to highlight Catholic faith and values.
As Catholics, do we have any special considerations to keep in mind when naming our child? Are we required to name our child after a saint or can we name them with anything we want? What are the reasons why parents choose the name of saints as Catholic baby names?
As Christian parents how do we develop our child’s faith? We have a responsibility to train our children in the ways of God and one of the first steps is to cultivate their faith.
Faith is an important part of our spiritual journey here on earth so how do we share this with the younger generation?
The topic of Catholics and Halloween is a controversial one. Many people around the world celebrate Halloween with costume parties, scary decorations and trick-or-treating from one house to the next. Should Catholics participate in these traditions? Should we celebrate Halloween?
IVF is one of the many methods used to overcome infertility but this procedure has stirred up many moral and religious debates. What is IVF and what is the the views of the Catholic Church on it?
Some people put religion at the center of their family relationships and traditions while others do not put as much importance on it. Let’s look into the differences between religious and nonreligious families to better understand how religion affects their relationships.
Catholic cremation is a divisive topic within the Catholic Faith community because not many people understand the Church’s teachings on it. When a loved one passes away, it is up to surviving family members to make arrangements regarding what to do with the remains and cremation may come up as a possible option.
Let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of Catholic cremation and what the Church says about it.
Both the cross and the crucifix are important symbols in the Catholic Faith. To non-Catholics these two may look similar but certain meaningful differences exist between them and these differences can mean a lot to Catholic devotees. As a result, some Catholics may struggle in deciding whether to embrace a crucifix or just stick to a plain cross for use in their daily spiritual devotion.
Thanks to fairy tales like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, the concept of godparents is often taken to mean magical beings who grant wishes or make our lives easier. The role our godparents have in our journey here on earth is actually so much more significant so we must be careful in the people we choose to take up that role.
Children will always carry with them the influence that their mothers had in their lives and this influence shapes the way they act and behave as adults. This is why being a Catholic mom is a remarkable honor for us women to have. We are gifted with a precious life that we must care for and look after not only its physical and emotional needs, but also its spiritual well being. In time for Mother’s Day, let’s look at some Bible teachings on motherhood; most of which come through the example of the extraordinary life of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
As Christian parents, it is our responsibility to cultivate our children’s faith and encourage them to become God-fearing, sensitive and responsible adults. Having a solid set of Catholic values and beliefs can go a long way in helping our child make the right choices in today’s increasingly complex world.
These are the words of St. Isadore (560-636 AD) on what we gain when we pray and read the Catholic Bible regularly. How many times have you felt alone trying to figure out life’s rough patches, or needed words of wisdom and encouragement, or have given up praying because God doesn’t seem to answer? Lots of times, right?
Your great-grandmother’s engagement ring, the “good” silver, holiday traditions, and the family’s blue-ribbon-winning apple pie recipe are just some of the things that may have been passed down for the last few generations in your family. You cherish these mementos and memories for the way they make you feel connected to your family. What about the gift of praying?
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
