Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash
EMBRACING FAMILY
Who would have ever thought that our lives would have changed drastically over the past few weeks?
Many of us look back at 9/11 as a day that changed history and the lives of each one of us. Amid the fear and anguish, we also saw our country unite, and we discovered heroes all around us: From children making cards and donating things to adults sacrificing their lives to save others. There is an uncanny similarity with the coronavirus pandemic that has rapidly changed the lives of people around the world. In a unique way, we are united with people of all ages in every continent on the globe. Between home-quarantine and social distancing, it seems we are creating a “new normal.”
While we struggle with these changes, for most of us, they pale in comparison to the suffering of so many others: Those who have died, those who have had loved ones die, those working tirelessly as care providers. Social distancing is a reality of the middle and upper class, as the poor must live with minimal accommodations or in crowded areas. Those who have been exposed or are ill cannot be with their loved ones. Somehow keeping our lives in perspective with this larger crisis helps each of us count our blessings and manage the struggles that we face in our own homes with grace and gratitude.
How can we, as adults, cope with the change happening in our world and in our homes such that our children do not carry an adult cross? How can we lovingly support our children as they cope with all this change, as well?
As Catholic parents, let’s focus on making our homes the best domestic church we can. Since God has called us to be the primary educators of our children — even if our children are doing online school — we have the unique opportunity to create the environment in which they will grow and thrive. Envision what your “ideal family” would look like and set up a plan to make that happen!
1. Establish a schedule which respects the “stay-at-home” order and includes:
- Prayer
- School/work
- Family time (board games, sports, play)
- Exercise (hiking, biking, walking)
- Fun
- Cultivating friendships by contacting family and friends
- Service (donate, make cards, get groceries for nearby kupuna)
2. Establish a place of prayer in our homes.
- Crucifix
- Statue of Mary (or a picture)
- Rosaries, Bible, spiritual books (lives of the saints, etc.)
3. Start and end the day with prayer as a family.
4. Pray the rosary together.
5. Participate in online Mass every Sunday.
- Consider dressing up and lighting candles (or drawing candles for younger children).
6. Read spiritual books together or individually and share as a family.
7. Pray rosaries via videoconferencing with family or friends.
We have the unique opportunity to slow down and focus on that which is most important: faith and family.
Appreciate this time and stay well, in body, mind, heart — and sanity, too!
We’d love to hear from you, Hawaii Catholic Herald readers. How is your family growing closer to God and each other during this pandemic?
If you have questions you would like addressed in “Embracing Family,” please email them to Sarah and David at Success@EmbraceFamilyLearning.com and we would be honored to lift you up in prayer and respond, as well! If desired, you can remain anonymous.
