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Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Family on Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Further Thoughts on Last Week’s Question:
Q: I am a mom of a 14 year old son. He talks quite a bit with his dad about sports and school and such, but clams up with me. I don’t have this problem with my two older daughters. I would love to help encourage him to grow in his faith life, but am I being unrealistic? Should a mom expect a more “distant” faith relationship with her son?
In Part I of the answer to this excellent question,... READ MORE
Can a Mom Connect With Her Teen Son?
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Family on Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Q: I am a mom of a 14 year old son. He talks quite a bit with his dad about sports and school and such, but clams up with me. I don’t have this problem with my two older daughters. I would love to help encourage him to grow in his faith life, but am I being unrealistic? Should a mom expect a more “distant” faith relationship with her son?
It’s hard to generalize. The character of a mom’s faith-relationship... READ MORE
How to Handle Lapsed Catholics at First Communion?
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Family on Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Q: We have a large extended family, most of whom think we have jumped off a cliff for being so zealous for our beautiful faith,many of whom are no longer practicing Catholics, and some of whom were baptized Catholic but have chosen to practice another faith (Lutheran). How can we peacefully handle telling fallen away Catholic family members, that they should not receive the Eucharist while attending... READ MORE
Should I Be a 'Working Mom'?
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Faith on Friday, April 23, 2010
Q: I am an at-home mom of 4 young children (none of them in school yet) and it’s terrible to admit, but I can’t help but feel sometimes that God means for me to do “more than this.”
I am an attorney and practiced successfully for several years before getting married and becoming a mom. My kids mean the world to me, but isn’t it possible that God doesn’t mean for me to be staying home with them like... READ MORE
50 Days of Celebrating Easter
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Faith on Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Q: Any tips on resources or ideas for continuing the Easter celebration with the family for the entire season? Thank you for sharing so much with us!
A: I am sure that some of our readers will have something to say about this excellent question, so keep an eye on this post. I would just like to offer three suggestions.
Learn from the Church
First, take a cue from the Church’s liturgy. Each liturgical... READ MORE
Contemplation and Meditation? What's the Difference?
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Faith on Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Q. Father John, how is contemplation different from meditation?
A. Contemplative prayer consists of a more passive (and more sublime) experience of God. If Christian meditation is the soul’s inspired quest to discover God (our work of seeking God), contemplation is God’s lifting of the soul into himself (God’s work of embrace), so that it effortlessly basks in the divine light.
The key distinction... READ MORE
Overcome Your Lenten Temptations
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Faith on Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Q: My 11-year-old son decided to give up sweets for Lent, but at two weeks into Lent he’s in misery about wishing to have a dessert.
I have coached him from different angles—“Look what a strong person you are becoming” or “Why don’t you choose a different sacrifice? You know you can change your sacrifice” or “When you really want that sweet and you feel angry or desperate, think of Christ’s suffering... READ MORE
Working Through Conflict
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Faith on Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Q: My husband and I disagree about child discipline. I grew up in a very strict home and don’t ever want to be that way with our kids. I think my husband is too severe sometimes, but when I suggest he ease up a bit, he gets very angry with me. He thinks I let the kids get away with too much. How should we handle this disagreement?
A: Why does God allow spouses to disagree, even strongly, about such... READ MORE
How to Stay Strong Spiritually During Lent
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Faith on Thursday, February 25, 2010
Q: Every year I start out Lent with great ambition and hope for spiritual growth, but somewhere along the way I lose interest and let myself slide. I really want to avoid the slide this year ... any suggestions to help me stay strong?
A: Sure! The key thing to think about is why you tend to slide. If you can identify the cause, then you can easily find the solution. In general, three things tend... READ MORE
How Much Must I Believe?
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Faith on Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Q: Do I have to believe “everything” to identify myself as Catholic?
A: I read the conversation that followed this question at Faith & Family Connect, and once again I was impressed by the honesty, wisdom, and compassion so evident in exchanges here at the Faith and Family online community. I had two thoughts that may be of use to those who are following this conversation.
The World around Us
First,... READ MORE
