Dear Parents of our Parish's Middle and High School Teens,
Hello! This is the FOURTH 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."
After this issue, we will pause OPM for the Thanksgiving break. Our next OPM issue will be sent home on Tuesday, December 5th! I hope you and your family have an amazing Thanksgiving!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
So, not to tell you something you already know, but are you aware that the friendships your teenager is developing really matter? In fact, your teenager’s friends are the one thing that will have the most significant impact on the path they will walk, the choices they will make, the direction their lives will go, and ultimately the quality of their lives.
Of course, you already know this to be true, but it’s so important that it bears repeating. The people your teenager chooses to be friends with, surround themselves with, and do life with will have a tremendous impact on the decisions they make, where they go in life, and how fulfilling their life will be. We know this is true, but if we’re honest, as children get older, some parents pay less and less attention to the friends of their children. We feel like we have less influence. And as our teens get busier and involved in more things, we have less access to the people they are becoming friends with.
This week St. John Neumann's OPM is providing you with some excellent ideas, tools, resources, and, as always, a little extra encouragement that will help you start or take another step forward in an ongoing conversation about what is happening with your teenager and their friends. It might not be an easy conversation to have, but it is crucial. This isn’t the time to check out - your teens need you more than ever! Hang in there! I'm praying with you and for you, as you lead at home! Be encouraged!.
Take a look at this video of teens
talking about where and how they fit in!
Here is this week's "Sunday Alive!" At this Sunday's Mass (Sunday, November 19th), we celebrate the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time!
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!
And here's a little encouragement for you!
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!
