We all want what is best for our families, but what does that mean exactly? Experience tells us that without a clear vision or sense of purpose, we can become locked into the mindset of the masses, parenting like our friends are parenting or the way we were parented ourselves. We can parent more intentionally by reflecting on our family’s identity and mission: who are we as Catholics, what do we want for our families, and how do we get there?
Who are we? Our families possess a special identity as “the domestic church” which images the Universal Church in her mission to transform culture through hospitality, mercy, generosity, and delivering the Good News of Jesus Christ.
What is our mission? The domestic church is called to build a community of love that fosters deep communion among parents, children, and extended family. When we grow in virtue together, we discover that joy, hope, and Christian perfection grow – not only in each of the family members individually but in the family as a mystical person. Others around us can’t help but look at our families and sigh, “Look at those Christians, how they love.” This communion is not an end in itself, but rather the foundation for the family’s mission in the larger world. John Paul II saw the family as crucial to the future of humanity: without strong, loving families, society will drift and suffer.
How do we fulfill our mission? My “7 Building Blocks to a Joyful Catholic Home“™ provide a simple framework for fulfilling our sacred mission as parents. The Building Blocks work together to build and protect connection between parent and child, foster a rich family faith and Christian identity, and prepare the family to serve as a sanctuary for those beyond our doors.