Catholic Parents KEEPERS OF THE PROMISE PROMISES, PROMISES... 1 At Parent s Baptism To live always as a member of Christ s body functioning as: Priest, Prophet, King Dr. Patricia M. McCormack, IHM IHM Office of Formative Support 2 At Child s Baptism To give constant care to training your child in the practice of the faith The PROMISE made at your own baptism... God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into his holy people....... He now anoints you with the CHRISM OF SALVATION. As Christ was anointed PRIEST, PROPHET, and KING, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life. * * * PRIEST * * * The function of a priest... To pray To intercede for others, To communicate with God To relay God s response to others To teach others how to pray * * * PRIEST * * * Jesus prayed on the spot -- spontaneously -- in the midst of ordinary circumstances. Jesus also sought solitude to pray. 1
PRAY-WAYS GROW * * * PRIEST * * * simple sentence, aspirations, formulas, poems, songs, psalms, hymns, heart-room prayer (meditation), guided imagery, rosary, stations of the cross, visits to & conversations with the Blessed Sacrament, participation at Mass, retreats, spiritual direction, contemplation... PRAYER IS... * * * PRIEST * * * Vocal & Mental Formal & Informal... CONVERSATION * * * PRIEST * * * Parents teach through example that... God is present and interested in us, always and everywhere, We may lift our hearts to God at any moment with the ease and familiarity of taking a breath! * * * PROPHET * * * A PROPHET... to be messenger of God s word to speak and live the values of Jesus Be who you say that you are! With your being proclaim that God is love! * * * PROPHET * * * To be a messenger of the WORD, we must know the Word! Favorite Scripture Quotes... I know well the plans I have for you plans for your welfare; not for woe! Plans for a future full of hope. (Jeremiah 29: 11-14) The Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still. (Exodus 14:14) When you seek me with all your heart you will find me within you and I will change your lot. (Jeremiah 29: 11-14) Teach children love for the Scripture. Help children become familiar with the life-giving messages in the Scripture. My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. (Corinthians 12: 7-10) By waiting and calm you shall be saved. In quiet and in trust your strength lies. (Isaiah 30: 15b) 2
Create a Rosary of Christian Character Scripture Passage + Scriptural Part of the Hail Mary + A Jesus Clause that references the Gospel Peter s Rehabilitation, Sea of Tiberias (John 21: 15-17) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS... Who wants us to give second chances like he did for Peter. Ten Lepers (John 21: 15-17) Paralyzed Man Lowered through Roof (Luke 5: 17-26) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS... Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS... Who taught us the value of saying THANK YOU. Who asks us, like he asked the Scribes and Pharisees, why we hold onto hurtful thoughts. Son of the Widow of Naim (Luke 7: 11-17) Woman at the Well (John 4: 1-30) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS... Who desires us to help others without being asked, as he did for the Widow of Naim. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS... Who challenges us to tell the truth like the Woman at the Well did. 3
Teaching about Judgment (Matthew 7:1) The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS... Who commanded us not to judge others. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS... Who taught us to treat other people the way that we want to be treated. Teaching about The Lord s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-15) Teaching about True Riches (Matthew 6:26-34) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS... Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS... Who taught us to forgive each other. Who reminded us to depend on God s providence to take care of us rather than worry about tomorrow. Love of Enemies (Matthew 5:43-48) Purity of Intention (Matthew 6:1-4) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS... Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS... Who gave us an example to love our enemies and to pray for people who hurt us. Who advised us to keep our good deeds secret instead of bragging or showing off. 4
Promote Christian Character via the Sunday Gospel Gospel ABCs A= Attitudes B= Behaviors C= Consequences Manners or feelings...... that lead to life and loving relationships like: openness, forgiveness, conversion, awareness, sensitivity...... that block life and love like: suspicion, rash judgment, self-righteousness, or negativity... ACTION or REACTION to a person or to a circumstance... Life-Giving behaviors like: welcoming another, sharing gifts of nature and grace, owning up to mistakes, offering reconciliation, asking forgiveness... LIFE-BLOCKING behaviors like: lying, betraying another, gossip, excluding others, acting on prejudices, seeking revenge... EFFECT/RESULT of attitudes or behavior... Positive attitudes/behaviors result in joy, energy, enthusiasm for life, vital relationships, healing... Negative attitudes paralyze. They block the heart to what good there is and negativity becomes a turn off to others. Zacchaeus the Tax Collector, Lk. 19: 1-10 A SUMMARY Crowds were around Jesus. Zaccheus was too short to see Jesus within the crowd. He climbed a sycamore tree in order to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus initiated conversation and invited himself to the intimacy of supper in the home of Zaccheus. This caused observers to criticize both Jesus and Zaccheus. Zaccheus was moved to conversion and announced his decision to make restitution with his neighbors. Jesus called Zacchaeus a son of Abraham. 5
ATTITUDES Zacchaeus the Tax Collector Lk. 19: 1-10 Resourcefulness, creative hope, willingness to go out on a limb, compensating for and coping with a disadvantage, being proactive, claiming his desire/need/curiosity to see Jesus... BEHAVIORS think outside the box, climb a tree, accepted responsibility for past choices,... CONSEQUENCES Zee received personal invitation into relationship with Jesus, he converted, he made restitution,... A Student Prayer... Jesus, I think you are making me look at forgiveness today because I need to ask forgiveness from peers to whom I have been rude and mean. I am scared to do this because I am embarrassed by my actions. I will have difficulty talking to these people. Please give me the courage that I need. And please open up their hearts to hear me and to forgive me. * * * SERVANT-KING * * * * * * SERVANT-KING Baptism makes us heirs of heaven and gives us a share in the ROYAL MISSION of Jesus. As servant-kings we are called to give SERVICE to each other with the MINDSET of Jesus. Jesus said, I did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as ransom for many. (Mk.10:45) Teach children: * * * SERVANT-KING Teach children: * * * SERVANT-KING to anticipate the needs of others to sacrifice personal time & preference for the good of another to express appreciation & gratitude to contribute to the organization of the home to cultivate the joy of giving to embrace the attitudes expressed by St. Francis: let me sow love, pardon, faith, hope, light, joy, understanding, consolation. 6
PROMISES, PROMISES... 1 At Parent s Baptism To live always as a member of Christ s body functioning as Priest, Prophet, King At the baptism of a child parents pronounce PUBLIC PROMISES: To make it a constant care to train the child in the practice of the faith 2 At Child s Baptism To give constant care to training your child in the practice of the faith To bring the child to keep the commandments by loving God & neighbor PUBLIC PROMISES: (continued) PUBLIC PROMISES: (continued) To keep the child safe from the poison of sin To help the child grow always stronger in his/her heart By word and example to bring baptismal dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven To keep the light of Christ burning brightly If you were on trial for PARENTING AS A CATHOLIC, would there be sufficient evidence for a jury to pronounce a verdict of guilty? Suppose the prosecutor examined your children regarding how well you fulfill the vocation as first teacher; first herald of the Gospel who leads them to grow in the knowledge, love, and service of God? How well do you score in these TEN INDICATORS? 7
# 1 I teach my child the words and the meaning of ageappropriate prayers like: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Angel of God, Act of Contrition, Acts of Faith, Hope, Love, etc. # 2 My family prays Grace before and after meals. # 3 I establish a bedtime ritual that includes prayer, examination of conscience, and an act of contrition. I bless my child at the end of the day. # 4 I oversee the study of religious education lessons. I read and study the lessons. I help my child to memorize and practice faith-formulas like the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, precepts of the Church, and principles of Catholic Social Teaching. # 5 I explain to my child that the TEN COMMANDMENTS are standards of love and expressions of a loving relationship rather than a set of rules. I provide an age-appropriate understanding of the Commandments. # 6 I cultivate within my child appreciation for the Blessed Sacrament -- the CENTER of Catholic worship. 8
! Preparation of Gifts! Consecration! Thanksgiving after reception of Holy Communion Celebration of Eucharist My child and I participate weekly in Sunday Eucharist. Eucharistic! Visits to the Blessed Prayer Sacrament! ACTS of Love before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament Adore, Confess, Thank, Seek! Spiritual Communion SPIRITUAL COMMUNION (St. Alphonsus Liguori) My Jesus, I believe that You are really present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You more than anything in the world and I hunger to be nourished by You. But since I cannot receive Communion at this moment, come into my soul at least spiritually. I unite myself to You now as I do when I actually receive You. Never let me drift away from you. # 7 My child and I practice regular reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. # 8 # 9 My family demonstrates reverence for Mary and the Saints. My child is growing familiar with the Gospels and learning to apply the messages of the Sunday Gospel to daily living. Each member of the family knows the life and character-qualities of his/ her patron saint. In addition to birthdays, we celebrate the patronal feastday of each member. 9
# 10 Through word and action I cultivate an attitude of service-to-others, particularly the poor among us. Warn the sinner. Instruct the ignorant. Pray for the living and the dead. Forgive all injuries. Bear wrongs patiently. Counsel the doubtful. Comfort the sorrowful. CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY SPIRITUAL Feed the hungry. Give drink to the thirsty. Clothe the naked. Visit the sick. Shelter the homeless. Visit the imprisoned. Bury the dead. Catholic Social Teaching Life and Dignity of the Human Person Call to Family, Community, Participation Rights and Responsibilities Key themes that run through centuries of Church documents and tradition Option for the Poor and Vulnerable Solidarity Care of God s Creation Dignity of Work & Rights of Workers If you were on trial for PARENTING AS A CATHOLIC, would there be sufficient evidence for a jury to pronounce a verdict of guilty? What s the Verdict? Dr. Patricia M. McCormack, IHM IHM Office of Formative Support for Parents & Teachers DrPatMcCormack@aol.com 10