An Open Letter and Invitation to Catholic Parents

“The future of humanity passes by way of the family."
Pope St. John Paul II (Familiaris Consortio, 86)

Greetings in Christ Jesus Our Lord!

Crisis. Pope St. John Paul II was forged in the fires of Nazi occupation. Then the Communists. Then secular humanism. All paving the way for our present culture of actual atheism. And even more dangerous than that (according to Pope Benedict XVI) is “practical atheism”- a culture of professing Jesus Christ (even exhibiting great devotion), but living in a state of compromise with the world.

Whether among the Church hierarchy or in our Catholic families, Pope St. John Paul II described our ultimate struggle as one of “alienation” versus “participation.” Today we are among wonderful families united in seeking to become saints, which is to say, to honestly recognize ways we may be choosing alienation that we might more fully turn (“repent”) and seek life transforming participation in Him.

As just one example, consider this purely secular summary based upon solid evidence:

"[I]f you wanted to invent a device that could rewire our minds, if you wanted to create a society of people who were personally distracted, isolated, and overtired, if you wanted to weaken our memories and damage our capacity for focus and deep thought, if you wanted to reduce empathy, encourage self-absorption, and redraw the lines of social etiquette, you'd likely end up with a smartphone." (Catherine Price, "How to Break Up With Your Phone" p. 53)

Opportunity. Our crisis defines our opportunity: “Family, become what you are.” (FC, 17)  While we have little power over much in the world, we do have the power to reclaim our marriages and homes as places of ever-deepening encounter with Jesus Christ. More intentionally than our jobs. Or studies. Or sports. We have the opportunity to do this together.

Warning. If we have the audacity to live what we profess, the Enemy will present every obstacle. Every excuse. We’ll be reminded of our sins. Our precious time. Our inadequacy. We’ll be made to think we’re good enough. Religious enough. We’ll be made to think that formation is the business of our pastor, teacher or spouse. Certainly, we’ll be confronted by fear and awkwardness in pursuing a disciple-making lifestyle and culture most of us did not experience in our families of origin: leading our families regularly in meaningful conversation and prayer. 

Precisely because of these reasons, hear St. Mother Teresa: “Do it anyway.” The obstacles present opportunity. To demonstrate real faith. Accordingly, chains will be broken. Grace outpoured. Culture transformed. Souls eternally saved. Together we will build the Kingdom here.

Live IT. And so we invite you. We challenge you. Beginning this week, commit with us to seven weeks of weekly gathering in your home to talk and pray as a family. We provide a simple, fun and easy to use Live IT Gathering Guide (Live IT Guide or Live IT App). On the seventh week, in many of our areas, we’ll all reconvene for an amazing evening of witness and worship called IGNITE.

Presented with every obstacle, let’s join with our Blessed Mother: Fiat!

Greg and Stephanie Schlueter
Our mission is Catholic marriage and family revival.
Not another program, a way of Life in Jesus Christ.
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