Posts Tagged ‘news and views’
Gus Exerts His Will
Over the past few weeks baby Gus’ personality has started to emerge. “I can’t prove it,” says Dad, “but my intuition has started to tell me that he knows when he is doing something he is not supposed to be doing.”
Why Family Life Is Now a Choice
“Family life doesn’t just happen; it is a decision, a choice,” say the Catholic bishops of Manitoba, Canada. Today, “perhaps more than ever before, we must choose to be a family.”
Summer Goals
A friend’s unexpected visit makes Justin and Sarah realize how much they enjoy–and need–outside company. Read how they decide to broaden their world.
Pope Francis Reflects on a Mother’s Demanding Role
As we celebrate Mother’s Day weekend, Pope Francis offer timely reflections on the role of mothers. A mother, he says, helps children to confront life’s problems without becoming lost in them.
When Life Gets Out of Control
Sara and Justin consider the question “Who will I trust to ensure my happiness?” Many people trust only themselves. But Sara says that since Gus’ birth, “God has really shown me in a million different ways that I am not in control.”
15th Anniversary
Will you celebrate your anniversary soon? Or perhaps you want to give your marriage a little tune-up. Stacey shares some thought-provoking questions to help you reflect on your relationship.
How Parents Spend Their Time: A Dramatic Change
A new research report finds that the “way mothers and fathers spend their time has changed dramatically in the past half century.” Some of the findings may surprise you. Here are ten highlights.
Finding Peace Amidst the Chaos
Runny noses, missed naps and a broken dishwasher have left Sara in need of an attitude adjustment. Read how she responds.
As Good As It Gets
Sometimes, TV couples can teach us as much about marriage as real life. Josh writes about Jim and Pam on The Office and speculates on what it will take to turn their marriage around.
The Fruit Is Ripening
Teaching children to behave at Mass is just the start, writes Stacey. The new challenge, she says, is “focusing in on what is being read and spoken and making some connections with it.”
Giving Back to God
The diocese where Sara and Justin live has started a capital campaign. They discuss their possible participation and how this will affect their other charitable contributions.
Families and the Cities We Want
British Archbishop Vincent Nichols recently addressed the question “What kind of city do we want?” He pointed out that people make the city; moreover, the family “is the first school of citizenship, and loving, stable families are the vital building block of every city, as they are of any human society.”
Couples Benefit When Dad Is Involved with the Kids
A new study finds that marriages benefit when a husband relates well with his children and is involved with them. Their marriages also benefit when he participates in household chores. These are important ways husbands connect with their wives.
Teething and Taxes
Sara writes that her life as a stay-at-home mom has become like the movie “Groundhog Dog,” as she follows the same routine over and over. Is that such a bad thing?
Finding Community
Stacey writes: “Joshua and I find that those relationships that are most dear, most life-giving and most enduring are with peers who are faithful and who push us to grow.” She explains in her latest blog post.
What Does the Rising Cohabitation Rate Mean for America?
New research studies show that many women are choosing cohabitation over marriage as their first union. What are the benefits and costs of delayed marriage?
Following Francis
Justin reflects on the example offered by Pope Francis and his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi. He discusses how meeting Gus’s needs has helped to lessen his attachment to material goods.
Basketball and Family: The Little Things
Josh’s love of basketball leads him to appreciate the little things that bring success. Reflecting on these well-executed details, he got to thinking about the little things that make for a happy marriage and family life. He offers a list to ponder.
Immigrant Families Face Fear, Hopelessness
Recent criminal violence in northern Mexico has complicated immigration challenges at the border. Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville describes the fears and anxieties faced by immigrant families, both the poor and the well-to-do.
So Big!
As Sara watches Gus grow, she is reminded of Mary’s role in Jesus’s life. While she doesn’t know what God has in store for Gus, she reflects that Jesus’s own suffering ended with Easter joy.
Family Life and the Good News
Josh reflects on evangelizing one’s children. He says, “In my evangelizing efforts, I find that often I am the one being evangelized. To communicate love to our children, I have to first be transformed by love.”
Pope Francis Gives Families Food for Thought
Although he was just elected, Pope Francis is already giving families much to think about. He draws inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi, his namesake, and St. Joseph, and he hopes others will also see them as models.
A Lesson From Pope Francis
Sara makes a surprising connection between the new Pope’s love for simplicity and–couponing! Read what she’s already learned from Pope Francis.
“And By ‘Important’ You Mean…”
It’s a common marital frustration: Your spouse hasn’t been paying attention to what you said and a while later asks you to repeat the same information. Stacey explains how spouses can process information in different ways.
U.S. Supreme Court To Hear Marriage Definition Cases
On March 26 and 27 the U.S. Supreme Court will hear two cases that relate to the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Learn what is involved and why the Catholic Bishops have filed friend-of-the-court briefs in each case.
