kabarsula How to embrace teaching the faith to your kids without a theology degree — Colleen Pressprich bandar SLOT INDONESIA

By Colleen Pressprich, OSV News

The Church teaches that parents are meant to be the primary teachers of the Catholic faith for their children, and that we ought to begin when they are young. The Catechism states that “Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God.”

It’s a beautiful, profound teaching. But for many of us, the how-tos of such an effort remain elusive.

If you’ve ever wondered how to evangelize these precious little souls that God has given you, first know that you are in good company. (See Antonia Acutis, mother of St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint.) It’s possible, it’s doable, it’s easier than you think.

Let’s talk about how.

Pray

Most of us are familiar with the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Similarly, I would argue that you cannot evangelize without a solid foundation of prayer.

Please note, this is not me telling you to get up earlier (I have kids who get up at 5 a.m.; I get it). It’s also not meant to make you feel guilty for what you can or cannot manage in a day. Finding time for prayer in the midst of busyness, especially with young kids at home, is a challenge. I am the first to admit that my prayer time doesn’t look like it did before I had kids.

But there is no question that there is grace that comes from consistent, daily prayer. When I was a young mom, I came across St. Francis de Sales, a wonderful saint for mothers because of his practical approach to life in the world. He advises setting aside 30 minutes for prayer a day to place yourself in the presence of God.

I’m a better mom when I’ve let the Lord feed my soul through prayer. Furthermore, how I spend my time shows my kids what I value. When I put aside my to-do lists to focus on Christ, it teaches them to do the same.

Learn

Learning is essential for Catholic parents seeking to be the primary teachers of the faith for their children. We cannot teach what we do not know.

Learning can take many forms. Your parish might offer a Bible study or book club. If you spend a lot of time in the car, consider a Catholic audiobook or podcast to help pass the time. In addition to these, the Vatican posts transcripts of Pope Leo’s Wednesday audiences each week online. These are wonderful (and short) opportunities to learn directly from the pope himself and can help foster a greater connection to the larger Church.

If you aren’t sure where to start or which topic you want to explore, consider what interests you have or what your children are asking about.

Talk

There are many ways to approach evangelization and home catechesis without it feeling like a job or as though you are teaching a class. In fact, the most powerful way to bring faith into the home is the most natural: through conversation. Look for opportunities to weave Catholicism into what you’re already doing as a family.

Talking about a loved one who’s sick? Stop and say a prayer right then and there.

Is your kid struggling with school or friends? Share about a saint who struggled in the same way.

Enjoying a hike? Spend a little time talking about Catholic teaching on care of the environment.

As you look for them, you’ll find that there are more openings than you realize to talk and pray with your kids as a part of normal conversation.

Read together

Similarly, reading can provide the perfect, easy opportunity for catechesis. When I was a new mom, I bemoaned how few books existed for my curious Catholic kids. (It’s why I began writing them.) Today there are quality Catholic books on all topics for all ages of kids. Consider adding one or two to your reading routine.

The practice of strewing (leaving items that are of interest to children in strategic locations) is a useful one here. I often find that my older kids pick up the Catholic books that I’ll leave out.

Be willing to say ‘I don’t know’

This final method of evangelization and home catechesis is, admittedly, the hardest. It’s also the one that I learned directly from Antonia Acutis: being willing to say the words “I don’t know” to your child.

Kids are gifted at asking the unexpected question. Even the most erudite and well-catechized parent is going to have experience of being stumped at one time or another (or more often, if your kids are anything like mine).

Admitting to my children that I am not knowledgeable about a subject, and then being willing to find an answer alongside them, has proven to be a fruitful practice in our family. It shows them that a relationship with Christ and his Church is always growing, always deepening. It models humility, a powerful witness in today’s world.

As parents, we are raising the next generation of saints. It’s important that we do our job well, that we fully live up to our role as the primary educator of our children in the faith. But this need not be a complicated or painful task. Through prayer, learning and conversation, we can raise our children to know and love Christ.

Colleen Pressprich is a homeschooling mom of five and the author of 10 books for Catholic children, families and adults, including two about Mary: “Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children” and “OSV Kids Discover: Mary.” Her website is “Elevator to Heaven.”