Being part of a FAITHFUL Church

How wonderful that we are part of a Church that lovingly reminds us about the importance of our faith and even our duties to profess it! We are blessed with a specific year dedicated to learning more about our faith as well as urged to proclaim it more heartily too.

Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI declared a Year of Faith to begin today on October 11, 2012. There are a couple of reasons for beginning the momentous Year of Faith on this date. One is because it coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council as well it is the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

What does the average Catholic do to celebrate this Year of Faith? There are countless things we can do as Catholics. And today is a perfect time to reflect on how you might delve more robustly into your Catholic faith. Here at “Catholic Moms Talk” we’ll focus on studying the Catechism and talking about it as it pertains to our mothering. I'm excited to have an awesome line up of Catholic mom contributors (you can see in the left-hand column) who will be chiming in with their words of wisdom all throughout the year. I hope that the discussions here will enrich your life even in some small way.

I hope you’ll feel free to leave comments, suggestions, or questions in the comment box. We’d love to hear from you. I also hope that you’ll pass the word about this endeavor, “Catholic Moms Talk” so that others can join us as well.

Speaking of the Catechism, I believe every Catholic family should have at least one copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on their bookshelves so they can look up information as needed, as well as read it to nourish their faith and learn more about the teachings of the Catholic Church. I use the Catechism so often in my writing work. I like to quote the Catechism in my books and articles to help bring the Catechism into homes and give Catholic moms in the trenches something to ponder and pray about.

As we begin the Year of Faith, take some time to think about how you can teach your family the faith. It can include reading parts of the Catechism together in the evenings or on Sundays (when you might have more time). Try to make a commitment to participating in at least one daily Mass each week with your family if you are not already doing so, or by praying the family Rosary together, even one decade (either daily or on Sundays).

If you are unable to make big commitments at this moment, try adding something seemingly tiny to your days. Pray just one Hail Mary at the dinner table after you’ve prayed your Grace Before Meals prayer. That small effort will have placed your family under Mother Mary’s mantle of protection as she guides you ever closer to her Son Jesus.

Every step forward in your commitments to going deeper in your prayer life, learning more about your faith, and in striving to be the best faith educator you can be for your family is a HUGE step in the right direction! And it’s indeed an effort that our good Lord will reward you for doing.

As Catholic moms, let's be mindful that an awful lot of our teaching to our children is transferred simply in the way we live our life--our example. Little eyes are watching us all of the time!

Make the most of your teaching opportunities. Set an awesome example--always--even when no one is looking.

May God richly bless you and your family today and throughout the Year of Faith and beyond!

Donna-Marie