Dear Parents and Guardians of our Parish's Middle and High School Teens,
Hello! This is the 20th issue of our Online Parent Ministry! I hope and pray that the OPM is useful for you! I encourage you to try one of the "Family Experiences!"
Each week, the OPM Emails include a theme, links to articles, conversation starters, videos, and much more to help you know more about your teen's world.
Check out the permanent feature of our Online Parent Ministry - 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."
Please reach out if you have any suggestions or if you found a great resource for parents and families that you think I should include in future OPM emails!
Peace,
This week's Online Parent Ministry email is all about how you can encourage your teen to reject how the world sees them and help them see themselves through the eyes of God! Check out this week's OPM Resource!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
When it comes to the things you are trying to teach your teenagers, what rises to the top of the list? Is it responsibility? Work ethic? Are you hoping they learn how to trust, how to lead, and how to follow? In the grand scheme of life, there may be one thing they need to embrace that has the potential to lead the way in every area of their life. That’s their identity.
So many teenagers are struggling to figure out their identity. They actually move from one identity to another depending on what season they are in, who they are around, and what or who is influencing them. In reality, there is only one identity that can sustain them for the long haul, and that’s an identity that is rooted in their relationship with God.
If they can land on believing that they are first and foremost a child of God and learn to live from that truth, life may not always be easy, but they will be able to face whatever comes their way with grace and courage.
This week, I want to give you some practical tools that will help you point your teenager to a true identity in Christ. There are things you can do as a parent that will point them away from the worldly identities that will tempt them and lead them to rest in who they are in God’s eyes.
Take a few minutes to check out our Online Parent Ministry Resource and think through what else you can do to lead your teenager to a deeper understanding of who they are. This week, I have also included a practical way to remind your child who they are in Christ. You can use these 30 Notes Of Wisdom to encourage your teen in their journey of life and faith and reinforce their true identity. As always, I am here cheering you on and praying for you and your families!
Peace,
JGC
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!
Here is another way to deepen your faith this Lent! One of my Team Members shared with me a great resource - it's great! I want to share it with you! It's called "OurDailyVerse.com" Every day you get a beautiful graphic of a verse from scripture that you can share with others on your social media. There is a beautifully written devotional and prayer as well! Sign up today and check it out! Please share it with your teen!
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!
