Raising Catholic Kids

“The family, is so to speak, the domestic church.” - Lumen Gentium, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, #11

This statement from the Second Vatican Council not only tells us what the "domestic church" is but reminds us that we, as these domestic churches, are to live our lives for God, not only in our parishes on Sunday, but also in our homes and out in our world. "It is in the context of the family that we first learn who God is and to prayerfully seek His will for us." It is here we first learn to pray, to worship, to do what is right, to pursue virtue, to serve others. No matter our family situation or structure, all Christians are called to share the Light of Christ in their homes and out in the world.

Now, no family is perfect, but that should not stop us from doing our best to live as God intended us to live - in love and harmony with Him, others, and ourselves. Those frustrating, emotional, and dark times are the perfect times to practice virtues like humility and patience, and to ask for - and offer -forgiveness and grace.
Just as God offers His love and mercy to us, so we are called to do to others.

Living as a domestic church is not easy, but God promises us that He will be with us "until the end of the age." (Matt. 28:20) Do not be afraid! God is pouring out His grace on us all the time to help us through all the good and the bad; are we open to it? What is our focus? How can we respond to His love and call?

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deut 6:4 - 7)