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Creating Catholic Family Culture

It is all too common to hear frustrated parents complain that although they sent their children to Catholic school, or had them faithfully attend religious education and youth ministry, they nonetheless fell away from the faith. Pope Paul VI may have said it best: “The split between the Gospel and culture is without a doubt…

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10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Advent

Keeping a balance between the spiritual and the secular will require a little planning on your part. Start by making a list of everything that needs to be done. Then block into your calendar specific times every day for personal prayer, spiritual reading and reflection. See More:  10 Ways to Get the Most Out of…

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Parenting 17-year-olds like 18-year-olds

The last 6 months I’ve been conducting a little experiment; but, instead of using rats… I used my daughter. No, I didn’t cage her, send her through a maze and reward her with pellets. I did something a little more drastic in most conservative parenting circles: I freed her from all rules and restrictions at…

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Virtuous Fitness: Developing Healthy Habits

It happened last Sunday. While sitting in Mass, my 3-year-old son decided to be a “loud talker.” Concerned about the prayerfulness of others around us, I whispered into his ear “I need you to whisper in church.” To which he whispered dramatically back to me, “Neverrrrr.” Ah yes. The refreshing will of a preschooler. However,…

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Matt Maher at World Youth Day

Inspiration

Parenting got you down this week? Need a little inspiration? Check out this video of Catholic singer/songwriter Matt Maher singing his song “Lord I Need You” at World Youth Day in front of the Pope this past August. May this song lift your heart and mind to the Lord this day!

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No More Cursing the Darkness

When was the last time you watched a movie or a television program and were disappointed that the content opposed your morals? Yesterday? Today? If you lament the decline of values-oriented entertainment options for your family, you are not alone. But there is hope. An Ally I recently had the opportunity to hear a presentation…

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It’s You…The Critical Role of Parents

Who do you think is going to have the biggest impact on the faith life of your children? It’s you. When you think about your kids growing older, you wonder what their faith life will be like: Will they stay Catholic? Will they even go to church? Will they take time to pray? Will they raise their…

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