Dear Parents and Guardians,
All loving relationships call us to dedication and sacrifice. As parents I know you understand what I am speaking about. I see it in the way you cherish your children, providing the very best for them, putting their needs ahead of your own, delighting in their presence, bearing all their joys and sorrows. This is how God loves us. Faith is a choice we make for ourselves and our children rooted in our relationship with God – a relationship that requires similar attention, time and energy.
As your Pastor I want to help you and your children grow in faith. I want you each to know how much God loves you. I want you to always experience God’s Spirit of Love, having lives richly blessed with love, joy, peace, patience and hope.
As Catholics we encourage you to “practice your faith.” We do this by being members of a faith community, being grateful, receiving the sacraments, studying God’s Word and serving each other. We believe this makes us better people – healthier, happier, more successful people. Practicing our faith is our way of responding to God’s invitation to be in relationship. Our children learn to practice the faith by watching and imitating us. This is a solemn responsibility God has entrusted to us.
Religious Education is a life-long endeavor. I know many of you are diligent about making sure your children are prepared to receive the sacraments. These are important times in a child’s life, but it is only part of their faith journey. Children and teens need the time, space and encouragement to explore what living a sacramental life is all about. They need time to savor God’s grace and wonder aloud. They need a place to ask questions and hear how others answer the questions believing raises. If you have had children in our Family Faith program within the last two years, but are not yet registered for this year or you have registered some but not all of your children/teens I am asking you to register them.
I know your lives are busy. I know you make sacrafices everyday to provide your children with many opportunities to support them and build up their sense of self – good schools, sports, time with friends, participation in the arts (music, drama, dance, art), travel and the list goes on. I am asking that you also give your child the specific advantages that come with intentional, systematic and comprehensive religious and spiritual education and on-going experiences of a faith that is lived. Remember, when learning stops or is interrupted, learning losses occur.
If you have questions please feel free to reach out to me 847-359-0042 tkeehan@holyfamilyparish.org or to Dr. Peg Hanrahan, Director of Family and Teen Faith, 847-907-3431, phanrahan@holyfamilyparish.org.
Sincerely,
Fr. Terry Keehan, Pastor