My family gave up fighting for seven days. No arguing, no “give it back”, no whining about people, no major issues dug up from the grave. No fighting. The result? I’m now at home with relaxed shoulders, a less chaotic mind and a full heart. But will it last? Plenty of Past Fighting We’ve had … More We Gave up Fighting on Vacation
If you listen to a kid pray the Lord’s Prayer, it is super cute “our father who art in heaven, Howard be thy name”… until you realize that she has no idea what she is saying. Even for adults, it is easy to zip through the prayer without meaning the words because they are different … More Howard be thy name?!?… the Our Father for kids
I’ve found myself feeling pulled in a million directions and failing people at every turn. People who have a legitimate right to my love and attention- friends, parents, children, spouse, neighbors, school administrators… are often cut short and do not get what they deserve from me. This is true also of the orphan, the widow, the … More Give from God’s Strength
I’ve found myself feeling pulled in a million directions and failing people at every turn. People who have a legitimate right to my love and attention- friends, parents, children, spouse, neighbors, school administrators… are often cut short and do not get what they deserve from me. This is true also of the orphan, the widow, the … More Give from God’s Strength
Wouldn’t it be nice to live with continual loving awareness that God is with you – and for you? When Brother Lawrence (a 17th century Carmelite Monk) was gazing at a tree in winter, he was suddenly struck by the realization that in a few months this seemingly dead appearance would wonderfully be in full bloom. … More Practice of the Presence of God
Praying some of the prayers from Mass at home connects us to the grace of the altar, as well as helps kids to participate more easily at Mass. Here are a few that can be integrated into a family. They are jumbled up a bit so you can use them progressively, morning, day and evening. … More Mass Prayers at Home
There is a wellspring of things to offer to God and receive from him by simply looking at your life. This prayer never seems to get old because life is so full and God is so active. Here is my version of this “examen” or “reviewing of my day with God.” Most of it was passed … More Mom’s Bedtime Prayer
Having a small handful of memorized meal time prayers can keep grace focused yet easy – without being rote. Grateful hearts prayer: Give us grateful hearts, O Father, for all your kindness and make us mindful of the needs of others. Amen. Sign Language Prayer: I give myself to your beautiful love. I want to … More Grateful Hearts- Mealtime Grace
Here is a family prayer guide that can take from 5-15 minutes which can be adapted for zillions of situations. Of course, it is even more fun and habitually reinforcing if you add sweets to the event or a nice setting like a fireplace. Sunday is a natural choice for a day to do this … More Family Prayer
Jesus often would withdraw to the lonely places to pray to his father in solitude. This kind of prayer often preceded big moments in his mission – beginning public ministry, the bread of life discourse, his passion… When people were clamoring for Jesus, the Spirit led him to places like the top of a mountain … More Sleepless Retreat
