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A simple Guide for Household Faith Sharing
Sharing faith within your household may be a foreign idea for many of us, but it is a really wonderful way to help those
with whom you live - and yourself - grow in faith. The trick is to insert this into your "already scheduled" household life.
No need to set up special "prayer times" or "sharing times." These rarely work and often peter out after one or two.
Instead, watch for opportunities to try the following ideas in your daily life.

Reduce the overall amount of time spent using TV and the Internet

You can't do this all at once, but over time, limit the use of outside media.
For example, begin by having the TV off whenever you eat as a family. Tape the
shows you might miss and watch them later. Or skip them altogether!
Media time is almost all "private time" but what makes a household click is
having "shared time."

After an event such as sports practice or dance rehearsal, do "reflective
talk."

Simply ask questions of each other about the day and what's happening.
This kind of daily talking IS faith sharing.
We call this "reflective talk." It's an ancient practice and through it, believe it or
not, the Holy Spirit touches you.
After a school event ends, such as a play, a game, or a test, draw your children
into a discussion, asking:

+ what touched you about this event?
+ what memories do you have about it?
+ what really struck you in this?
+ what did you learn from this?

At first, such reflective talk may seem foreign to them, but gradually they will
become more conscious and aware - and what a great gift you're giving to your
spouse and kids! They'll have this gift for the rest of their lives!

Create a Question of the Week for your family.

Try drawing it from the Gospel for Sunday Mass, but don't be tied to that
approach.
Make it provocative and draw household members into the discussion.
Post this on the fridge. Bring it up at supper.
There is an entire series of these questions available on the Catholic Household
Calendar available through this web site.

The three most important things you can do to help your kids grow up
Catholic.
1. Make Sundays and Holidays special times

Go to Mass and take everyone with you. Make this a habit of weekly life
because it is the single most important thing you do to help your children grow
up Catholic.
If you can't make it every week, don't punish yourself. Go as often as possible for
you. But make this a "special time" of household time.
Have special meals - use your china and set the table - cook together and make
this a regular thing. There is nothing that kids remember more than great shared
meals.
Visit relatives or friends.
Invite guests into your home for shared meals.
Give gifts to each other. Leave love notes on pillows, or in lunch boxes, and
make sure Sundays and Holidays are special.

2. Bring into your home symbols and practices of your faith - incorporate
them into the "normal stuff" of daily life

Always pray before meals. For meal prayers, go here.
Spend time in reflective talk with each member of your family or with the
family as a whole - as described above.
Make Advent and Lent special times. Add elements to the household life that
make these seasons "holy times" in your home.
Bring home some Holy Water and use it to bless each other before bedtime,
before a big event, or at any other suitable time.
Give each child a personal Bible - but not so fancy they'll never use it! Make this
part of their faith formation. As youngsters, give them a child's version of the
Bible, and when they're old enough, give them an adult version.
Gradually add "faith talk" to household life.
Affirm your kids when they do well and are loving.
Assure your kids when they fail or become selfish.

3. They are watching you. Be a model.

Whatever you do, they will do.
But don't make them uncomfortable by pushing religious practices on them if
they aren't familiar with them, or if they don't naturally ask for them.
Take time with them every day if you can.
You are busy: a job (maybe two!) a household to run, groceries to buy, garbage
to take out, activities to attend for the kids, family responsibilities for older
parents or for friends or family who are ill - but in the midst of all this, you
will teach your child about life when you keep faith a key element.
You will also find yourself feeling happier and more at ease because Grace leads
us to be whole and real and loving.