WHAT CATHOLIC FAMILIES SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THEIR FAITH

BRING THE CHILDREN TO ME

PRIMARY SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITES OF PARENTS TO THEIR CHILDREN AS PARENTS We as parents must be a living example of Christian life We must make God known to our children Teach our children about God’s gifts to them Teach them of God’s wonders, and how much He loves them Teach our children who they are first, last and always Teach our children what their primary purpose in this life is Teach our children how to know, love and serve God Teach our children their Catholic Faith Teach them God’s Laws, Sacraments, Beatitudes, The Mass Teach them Church Traditions, Catholic Etiquette Read the Gospels at their particular age levels. Teach them about the Blessed Mother and the Saints. Pray with them daily (Family Prayer)

We as parents must be a living example of Christian life The best way to teach children how to live both in the temporal and spiritual realm is by OUR EXAMPLE We as humans live in two worlds, we live in the temporal world that is about us (all that we see, hear and have) and we also as baptized Christians live in the Kingdom of God, a world that we do not see but does exist in our soul. Let us ask ourselves which world is the better for us and our children: the temporal or the spiritual world? It is true we exist in the temporal world, But! Do we have to be of the temporal world? Jesus said: “Live in the world but be not of the world”

We as parents must be a living example of Christian life LAWS OF THE TEMPORAL WORLD: Survivor of the fittest – Be strong – take down the weak Live to make yourself happy with things Live for power, prestige, money Fulfill your every desire no matter what it takes Live the seven capital sins: Pride, Greed, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth Results of these laws: Temporary happiness, human suffering, hate, war, disease, abuse of others, and the list goes on and on!

We as parents must be a living example of Christian life LAWS OF THE SPIRITUAL WORLD THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH: Love God with you whole heart, soul, mind and body Love your neighbor as yourself. These two commandment summarize all the other commandments of the Kingdom of God

We as parents must be a living example of Christian life LAWS OF THE SPIRITUAL WORLD – THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH: Ten Commandments Beatitudes Spiritual Works of Mercy Corporal Works of Mercy Repent of our sins Penance Prayer LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS JESUS HAS LOVE US

We as parents must be a living example of Christian life Results of these laws: Long term inner happiness and peace here in the temporal world and eternal happiness with God on our day of judgment. A better world for all. We can’t change the whole world, but we can make the world immediately around us a better place. We start making the world a better place first in our homes. As adults, parents we teach the young by living each day the Laws of the Kingdom of God. One day we have to give an accounting to God whether we brought our children to Him or not – Did we show them the way toHim?

WHAT EVERY CATHOLIC FAMILY SHOULD HAVE IN THEIR HOMES CRUCIFIX – In every bedroom preferably above the bed Pictures of Jesus and Blessed Virgin Mary All members of the family should have a rosary A container of holy water & holy water font near the front door Copy of the Ten Commandments in teenagers rooms Picture of Guardian Angel in children’s room A Catholic Bible - New American Bible Copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

WHAT EVERY CATHOLIC FAMILY SHOULD HAVE IN THEIR HOMES Catholic reading materials: both books and magazines Such as: Lives of the Saints, St. Anthony Messenger, Diocesan weekly newspaper the “Miscellany” Novena booklets to the Sacred Heart, Blessed Mother, Holy Spirit, your favorite saint.

PRAYERS ALL CATHOLICS SHOULD KNOW The Sign of the Cross The Lord’s Prayer The Hail Mary Glory Be To the Father Act of Faith Act of Hope Act of Love Morning Offering Apostle’s Creed The Nicene Creed The Confiteor The Gloria Prayer to the Sacred Heart Prayer Before A Crucifix Anima Christi Prayer to the Holy Spirit Hail Holy Queen Rosary Prayer Prayer said between the decades Of the rosary or anytime Act of Contrition The Memorare Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi Divine Praises Prayer for the dead