Attending daily Mass grounds me firmly. I am committed to this sacrifice because the challenges of our world can often feel overwhelming. We must remain diligent in our prayers, for the Devil is at work, creating havoc in all that we hold dear.
The Reyes Family
Carlos and Patricia Reyes and their family have been great witnesses in my spiritual journey. For months, I have sat at a respectful distance behind them at daily Mass. As a family of eight, they are quite noticeable, not only because of their size but also because of their unwavering faith. Through all the outdoor Masses, we have become a community, standing firm during these uncertain times. I look forward to seeing the familiar faces of those who seek peace.
During the “sign of peace” segment of the Mass, the Reyes family takes their time. They gently kiss each other on both cheeks, temporarily lowering their masks to complete this spiritual ritual. In my heart, they have become silent preachers of the Word. This is a unique ministry that remains steadfast.
Until this past Friday, I had only interacted with them while distributing Communion. That day, I asked if I could take their picture. Carlos, the patriarch, shared that he and his wife Patricia have six children—three boys and three girls. With God’s help, this co
and the glory of children is their parents.
Raising Holy Children
To guide your children in serving God, you must lead by example. Even as a single parent, it is possible to nurture a child’s faith without the presence of a second parent. Introducing children to God at a young age is essential for them to understand their purpose in life. In today’s world, a family must be firmly rooted in God to live a holy life. We are all created to serve one God, and until we find our way, we risk being misled by flawed influences. This is increasingly evident in public education, where children are exposed to matters that may not be suitable for their age. A child who is well-grounded in faith will develop the discernment to recognize truth and turn away from falsehoods. As parents, it is our responsibility to cultivate a strong relationship with God, providing our children with a solid foundation for their spiritual journey.
When our children were small, I realized the importance of incorporating God into their lives. While Mike was focused on building our business, the task of nurturing our children’s faith fell to me. Although I often felt overwhelmed, I persevered. Mike supported most of my decisions during this period. However, when I left the Catholic Church temporarily, Mike struggled to connect with the Protestant churches I attended. It was only when I returned to the Catholic faith that he committed to attending Mass with me regularly.
No Excuses
We cannot allow the Enemy to draw us away from our calling. No church is perfect. The Catholic Church has had many challenges these past years, but I choose to remain a Catholic. I will not allow the sins of men to take my core beliefs from me . Not even the Pope, with all his misguided opinions, will affect the Catholic doctrine that I hold true to my heart.
As a grandparent my role is subdued, but my prayers for our grandchildren are like fire to the ears of God. I hold back nothing when it comes to my family; they are saturated in prayer. This is one of the main reasons I attend Mass on a regular basis. Spiritually I cannot put anything in the way of serving God. When a family member is spiritually wounded, it breaks my spirit too. This is when I cry out to God without ceasing. God hears the cries of a parent. When your children are small, it’s much easier to comfort them. When they get older, and do not understand who God is, this is when you realize you’ve dropped the ball in introducing them to God at a young age. The beauty in this scenario is that it is never too late to fix this problem. We serve a God Who allows us special graces to come to Him with all of our burdens. My advice to parents: Become that godly example to your children, and they will honor you.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears
.
The Birthday
As a family Mike and I attend Mass together. We are a couple who will do whatever it takes to keep peace in our family. We celebrated another COVID-19 birthday at home. Mike shares his birthday with Our Lady of Guadalupe, which makes this day a little more special. We had reservations at Ruth Chris, but, like everything else in life, they were cancelled. We stuck to the Ruth Chris menu and had the best steaks. Jenny, our daughter-in-law, nailed the chopped salad and sweet potatoes; they were delicious. We honor Mike because he is a great example to us as a father, grandfather and husband. His co-workers honored him with a birthday cake and a gift basket. He’s a special guy!
My Prayer:
Dear Lord, we thank You for our families. Our children are a gift from You, Lord, and we entrust them into Your hands. Teach us to always do right by them, and help us to guide them to serve You. Lord, I lift up those who have lost their battle with COVID-19. Comfort the hearts of their families and give them peace. We continue to pray for those who are battling this pandemic. Heal them Lord. Amen.
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord rescues them from them all.