Dear Parents and Guardians of our Parish's Middle and High School Teens,
Hello! We are back from our Thanksgiving break! I hope you had an amazing time with your family and friends! This is the fifth edition of our "Online Parent Ministry!" Every Tuesday, an email like this will be sent home to you. Here are some things you can expect to be included each week... there will be a theme, links to articles, conversation starters, videos, and much more to help you know more about your teen's world.
One permanent feature of our Online Parent Ministry is the "Family Experiences." Click on the link below and then click on whatever grade your teen is in this school year. You will find a few downloads including a page called "the Development Guide" that details all the physical, spiritual, and social changes your teen will experience at that particular age. It's full of good information! The other pages will help you plan that year's "Family Experience."
I hope the Online Parent Ministry blesses you and your family!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We just celebrated Thanksgiving, this Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent, and Christmas is around the corner! The holidays can be a very stressful and hurried season. In this week's Online Parent Ministry, I want to offer you some thoughts, encouragement, and resources that may help you and your teenagers steer away from the madness and noise of life and this season.
Let’s be honest; there’s an intense madness that exists in our world and throughout our culture that goes way beyond just the holiday season! It’s easy for us to get caught up in this madness that revolves around crazy schedules, holiday parties, shopping, guests, and family obligations on top of political turmoil, family drama, and so much more. All this noise and madness produces fear and anxiety in our teenagers and has a way of taking over their thoughts. But, as parents, you have the opportunity to model to your teens how to live differently in the world and teach them the principles and skills that will help them build healthy ways to navigate all the noise.
I can’t encourage you enough to take advantage of this month’s parent resource! Click the link below to download and print it out.
Set aside some time this week to think through how you can steer clear away from the madness instead of into it. Because you can learn to develop a peace that comes from God - one that will guard your heart! If you can develop and live out this peace yourself, you just might be able to pass it on to your teenager!
Parents! Take a look at this great scene about being Catholic and going to Mass from the classic sitcom, "Everybody Loves Raymond!" It will make you laugh and think!
Sunday Alive! is another resource that will help you and your family be more present and prepared to receive the message of the Mass! Read the readings before you come to Church, and take a look at the rest of the "Sunday Alive!" handout. It also contains the Saint of the Week, discussion questions for the family on the message of this Sunday's Gospel, and much more! Enjoy!
Click HERE to learn all about Advent Candles and Advent Wreaths: The History and Meaning, Colors, Symbolism, Themes, and even the family prayers each week around the Advent Wreath!
Our parish has been given a generous gift of free access to the Hallow app. Click HERE to learn all about it!
Please reach out if you ever have any questions, personal needs, or even suggestions for our Online Parent Ministry! I will send our usual weekly email on Thursday, Have a great week!