Take the "Parent Pledge!"

Back to School, Back to Learning- Part Two

Now that the first week or so of school has come and gone, let’s revisit the idea of taking on some Adult Education to further our own growth in faith and build our relationship with God, as well as model life-long learning to the children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and/or neighbors who may be in our lives. I wrote about several different options in my last article, and with a little thought, prayer and planning, everyone can find the level of activity and comittment that best works for them. 

An additional trick I’ve learned through working with parents over the last decade and a half is to put a visual reminder of the goal you want to complete in a prominent place somewhere in your home.  To that end, I’ve created the simple “Parent Pledge'' (or "Grandparent Pledge") form above. After you’ve decided on your goal, here’s all you need to do:

1. PRINT out the form above. 

2. FILL it in.

3. POST it somewhere you and your family will see it every day.

4. Then just DO it!

Additional Recommendations

Besides the classes, online courses and books I listed in my previous article, I would like to offer two additional books for consideration. Both of these books especially tie into the National Eucharistic Revival.

1. Making the Mass Come Alive At only 35 pages in length, this booklet is easy to read in one or two sittings, but packed full of enough quality material that you will want to read it another couple of times. Written by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., and published by Queenship Publishing Company in 2000, the booklet explains why the Mass should be celebrated, not just  passively attended - or worse, simply endured. With chapters like “Don’t Be a Party Pooper” and “Every Body Needs Prayer” this tour through the Mass is well worth your time and offers a good introduction to Eucharistic theology. 

2. Our One Great Act of Fidelity:Waiting for Christ in the Eucharist Published in 2011 by Doubleday, this full length book (135 pages) is a collection of essays approaching the Eucharist from different perspectives. Written by Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I., past president of Oblate School of Theology and well-known author, the book is a compilation of Fr. Ron’s many musings and teachings on the Eucharist. Ultimately, the Eucharist is a great mystery of God’s presence and love. The essays work together to try to explain some of this mystery, culminating in the fact that the “one great act of fidelity” that we can offer back to Jesus is to receive him in the Eucharist - to just keep showing up. The essays are only two or three pages long in most cases, and are written in Fr. Ron’s clear, pastoral style. This book will easily keep you company in the fall evenings.

Both of these books are available on My Bookshelf. Have you decided what you will learn this season? Let’s pray for each other as we continue on this Eucharistic Revival journey, that we may be people who “know wisdom and discipline, may understand intelligent sayings, may receive instruction in wise conduct, in what is right, just and fair, [so] that resourcefulness may be imparted to the naive, knowledge and discretion to the young. The wise by hearing them will advance in learning, the intelligent will gain sound advice.” (Proverbs 1:1-5)

Hail Mary, seat of Wisdom, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death, and pray for those who never pray to you.