After a challenging year, the last days of summer are finally approaching. For so many families, this means that last cookout, that last beach day, that last big family get-together.
In times of strife, pain, and diversity, our loved ones serve as gentle reminders of the importance of living life fully and meaningfully, and this begins with continuing the work of navigating our Catholic faith every single day.
As the last days of summer approach, now is a great opportunity for families to practice their faith together. In this article, we’ll discuss how families can close out the summer in Catholic faith and peace after a long and spiritually draining period in our lives.
Contents
– Reflecting on a Summer of Challenges
– The Importance of Gratitude in Strengthening Catholic Faith
– How Families Can Strengthen Their Catholic Faith Together
Reflecting on a Summer of Challenges
One of the best ways to strengthen Catholic faith together as a family is to practice the habit of reflection. As we enter a transitional period of the year, it can be spiritually fulfilling to reflect on what went well over the past summer of challenges, as well as what didn’t.
As a family, ask yourselves: What challenges did we face this summer that were within our control, and which challenges were not?
The Importance of Gratitude in Strengthening Catholic Faith
As believers of the Catholic faith, the element of gratitude is an essential component of our lives as Christians. When we allow ourselves the time and headspace to focus on our gratitude for the blessings we’ve received in life (in whatever form they may take), we invite God further into our lives. By expressing gratitude, we praise the Lord and allow ourselves the spiritual freedom to accept His love and light into the fabric of our lives as families and as individuals.
How Families Can Strengthen Their Catholic Faith Together
A child’s parents or guardians should naturally be his or her first entryway into the Catholic faith. As a parent, it can feel daunting to be in the position of a primary spiritual caregiver, but as a Christian, it’s important to know that you’re fully equipped to introduce your child to the most basic principles of the Catholic faith: love and compassion.
In order to strengthen your Catholic faith together as a family, consider the following spiritual exercises:
– Share personal stories of faith with one another.
– Celebrate the sacraments together, like attending mass each week as a family.
– Provide children with kid-friendly religious resources, such as a children’s bible.
By making it a goal to strengthen your Catholic faith together as a family, you will be able to grow alongside your loved ones while praising the Lord each day.