How Catholic Are You Willing to Go?

Posted on by bbarthelette1984

 

A friend posted a prayer request on her homeschooling prayer chain this morning and I thought it was very appropriate and noteworthy. I can’t express it any better than she did so here it is!

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Dear Prayer Warriors – a friend’s son is in need of heavy prayers. His mother is worried as she received upsetting news that the choices he made will continue to take him further and further away from Our Lord. He  left the Church several years ago. 
This got me to thinking – The son was raised in a devote home school family who were active in their parish. All of his siblings but one has left the Church. I have noticed that other families have gone through this as well, home school or not, all raised Catholic. I have noticed something in common with most if not all the kids and adults who have left – they did not have Catholic friends, at least, not practicing ones. A person goes the way of his/her friends. I am not just noticing this about teens and young adults but of older people too. Isn’t one of the responsibilities given to us is to love our neighbor? To befriend them? If we all did this now, before it’s too late, what a difference we would make in their lives and most likely, them in our lives. Keep an eye out for the lone kid, the teen in the corner at a social, the adult sitting by himself at the Meet and Greet at Church, and befriend them. Invite them to join you at your table. Make a point to look for them, making them feel welcome and truly, become a friend to them. And don’t forget to call on those who have been absent from Mass or a fellow homeschooler you do not see around very much. Something what seems so small can make the world of a difference. 
Humbly stepping off my soap box. 
Happy New Year!

Joy in Lent

Posted on by bbarthelette1984

“In these days, therefore, let us add something beyond the wonted measure of our service, such as private prayers and abstinence in food and drink. Let each one, over and above the measure prescribed for him, offer God something of his own freewill in the joy of the Holy Spirit.”

St. Benedict: Rule, 49. (6th century)