The Domestic Church

In the Catholic tradition, the family holds a special place--especially in the formation of faith. So important, in fact, that it is called "the domestic church."

Five Ways to a Stronger Family

You were made to be a part of a family because you were created in the image and likeness of the Holy Trinity. Furthermore, you are called by your creation to make your families places that reflect the profound relationships of life and love that exists between the three persons of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When you do this, your family becomes a domestic church, a place where God is worshipped and adored, and where his will is sought and acted upon.

Easier said than done? Well here are FIVE EASY STEPS FOR YOUR FAMILY TO BECOME A DOMESTIC CHURCH.

It's Not About the Nail

How to Talk to Your Daughter About Her Body

By Sarah Koppelkam

How to talk to your daughter about her body, step one: don’t talk to your daughter about her body, except to teach her how it works.

Don’t say anything if she’s lost weight. Don’t say anything if she’s gained weight.

If you think your daughter’s body looks amazing, don’t say that. Here are some things you can say instead:

“You look so healthy!” is a great one.

Or how about, “you’re looking so strong.”

“I can see how happy you are – you’re glowing.”

Better yet, compliment her on something that has nothing to do with her body.

Don’t comment on other women’s bodies either. Nope. Not a single comment, not a nice one or a mean one.

Teach her about kindness towards others, but also kindness towards yourself.

Don’t you dare talk about how much you hate your body in front of your daughter, or talk about your new diet. In fact, don’t go on a diet in front of your daughter. Buy healthy food. Cook healthy meals. But don’t say “I’m not eating carbs right now.” Your daughter should never think that carbs are evil, because shame over what you eat only leads to shame about yourself.

Encourage your daughter to run because it makes her feel less stressed. Encourage your daughter to climb mountains because there is nowhere better to explore your spirituality than the peak of the universe. Encourage your daughter to surf, or rock climb, or mountain bike because it scares her and that’s a good thing sometimes.

Help your daughter love soccer or rowing or hockey because sports make her a better leader and a more confident woman. Explain that no matter how old you get, you’ll never stop needing good teamwork. Never make her play a sport she isn’t absolutely in love with.

Prove to your daughter that women don’t need men to move their furniture.

Teach your daughter how to cook kale.

Teach your daughter how to bake chocolate cake made with six sticks of butter.

Pass on your own mom’s recipe for Christmas morning coffee cake. Pass on your love of being outside.

Maybe you and your daughter both have thick thighs or wide ribcages. It’s easy to hate these non-size zero body parts. Don’t. Tell your daughter that with her legs she can run a marathon if she wants to, and her ribcage is nothing but a carrying case for strong lungs. She can scream and she can sing and she can lift up the world, if she wants.

Remind your daughter that the best thing she can do with her body is to use it to mobilize her beautiful soul.

Brainwashed?

What did your parents teach you?

It's Friday, but Sunday's Comin'

Twelve Reasons I Quit Attending Sports Events

What if we started treating sports like we treat our involvement with the Church? There probably wouldn't be many fans left. Our complaints might sound like this:

1. The coach never came to visit me.
2. Every time I went, they asked me for money.

3. The people sitting in my row didn't seem very friendly.

4. The seats were very hard.

5. The referees made a decision I didn't agree with.

6. I was sitting with hypocrites—they only came to see what others were wearing!

7. Some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home.

8. The band played some songs I had never heard before.

9. The games are scheduled on my only day to sleep in and run errands.

10. My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.

11. Since I read a book on sports, I feel that I know more than the coaches, anyway.

12. I don’t want to take my children because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best.

That's My King

31 things you thought about during Sunday Mass but won't admit

Catholic Vote nails typical thinking about Mass attendance with this fun list. See the original version here.

1. Got to church on time…all settled in the pew before the opening hymn starts…kids all fully clothed and sitting still…can I get a plenary indulgence or something?

2. Oh good, I secretly love this song.

3. Okay, who's here? There are the Growskis…there are the Taylors…looks like the Kellys are late again.

4. Wow, five whole minutes into Mass and the kids haven’t slammed the kneeler into my shins.  I wonder wha- OOOOWWW!!!  SON OF A…!!!

5. There’s Myrtle…I can’t believe her peppermint cookies won first place at the parish Holiday Fest.  My fruitcake was so much better.

6. Let’s recap the score.  Saint Paul: 8,371…my ability to comprehend: 0.

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Bibles VS Cell Phones

What if we began to treat our Bibles the way we treat our cell phones? What if we…

…carried it with us everywhere?

…turned back to get it if we forgot it?

…checked it for messages throughout the day?

…used it in case of an emergency?

…spent an hour or more using it each day?