OAPCE

From Diapers to Teenagers: The Evolving Journey of Faith in the Family -D.Pawlowski, Director, Nipissing/Parry Sound When my children were little, going to Mass was a logistical challenge. Diaper changes, car seats, strollers, soothing a restless infant, finding a seat… and I’d often wonder, Am I disturbing others? Should we leave? I’ll never forget one particular Sunday, when I was holding my infant son in a baby carrier and looked down to realize that my 3- and 5-year-olds were under the pew in front of me.. It was both exhausting and amusing. But after Mass, other parishioners would say, “It’s so lovely to see your boys here; they’re so sweet.” These words always reminded me of Jesus’ words in the Gospel, “Let the children come to me… for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” What would church be without families, without the joy (and sometimes chaos) of children? As the years went on, my boys grew older. We continued attending Mass, week after week, as a family. Their energy—though still lively—became less disruptive, and in some ways, a source of comfort to other parents. “If your kids are here, surely mine can’t be that bad!” It became a quiet reassurance.  But then came the teenage years. The stroller was long gone, and suddenly, it wasn’t so easy to motivate my eldest to go to church. Gone were the days of picking him up and carrying him into the pew. Now, he had his own opinions, and, own preferences. “Do I have to go?” would become the familiar refrain. For many parents, this is where the real struggle begins: How do you encourage your teen to say “yes” to Mass when they’d rather stay home? A Different Kind of Effort: The Teen Faith Journey At this stage, the faith journey requires a different kind of effort. It’s no longer about the journey of getting to mass,  or keeping them entertained through the service; it’s about cultivating a habit of faith, a commitment to practice, and a deepening understanding of God’s presence in our lives. Routine is still important, but it’s no longer just about showing up. It’s about being intentional in how we nurture their faith, modeling it in ways that are meaningful and relatable. Role Modeling: The Key to Teen Faith First, as parents, our role becomes more crucial than ever. At this point, it’s not enough to simply tell our children that faith is important; we must show them. Our own actions—the consistency of our Mass attendance, the way we speak about God, the time we devote to prayer—speak volumes to our teens. This is where role modeling takes center stage. Teens are watching how we live our faith, and that’s often more powerful than any sermon or rule we might impose. Our kids need to see that faith is an important part of our lives, shaping our choices, our conversations, and our priorities. They need to see us making time for God—not just on Sundays, but every day. The idea is that our faith should be something they witness in our daily actions, rather than something we merely talk about or enforce. Engage with Faith in Different Ways Second, create opportunities to engage with faith in different ways. Nourish their faith in a variety of ways, but always keep the importance of attending Mass central. If your teen is reluctant to go to church, there are still ways to engage them in faith outside of Sunday mornings. For example, watching the Mass on TV together—while not a substitute for attending in person—can still provide an opportunity for them to connect with the liturgy. Or, try reading and discussing the weekly Gospel at home. This can help them engage with the Scripture and provide a platform for meaningful conversations that reinforce the values and messages of our faith. In addition, discussing the Gospel readings or the homily after Mass can help foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for what was heard in church. Ask your teen about their thoughts on the readings, or how they relate to their life. These conversations can help keep God a present part of your family life, reinforcing the importance of the Mass and making faith a regular conversation topic in the home. Making Faith Accessible with Media and Apps Third, in this digital age, where social media and screens often dominate our attention, we have an opportunity to turn that dynamic around and fill the digital space with social faith media. There are several apps available that can help make faith more accessible, especially for teens who are glued to their devices. Here are a few that can help engage your teen and integrate faith into their daily lives: Examen Prayer App: This app gently reminds you to pray the Examen daily and walks you through the reflective process. It helps you take stock of your day, reflect on how you’ve encountered God, and consider areas for growth. If you take advantage of the journaling features, it can help your teen track their spiritual journey and see how small changes in daily life can bring them closer to God. Pray as You Go: This app offers short, daily reflections with a focus on quiet, mindful prayer. It includes guided exercises like the Examen, Stations of the Cross, and Rosary, allowing your teen to engage with their faith through listening, breathing, and reflection—perfect for a busy schedule. By setting up a daily reminder, they can build a habit of prayer that doesn’t require a lot of time but offers real spiritual nourishment. Hallow: Hallow is a Catholic prayer app offering audio-guided meditation sessions, Bible readings, and reflective prayers. It’s designed to help teens (and adults) grow in their faith, find peace in prayer, and stay connected to God throughout the day. With over 1,000 sessions, Hallow offers something for every spiritual need, from contemplative prayer to Bible study and homilies. These apps provide opportunities to engage with faith in small but meaningful

by D. Garell-Teti, OAPCE Halton Director, Chair “No one has ever become poor by giving.” — Anne Frank “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16 Christmas is a wonderful time of year, where many families may gather together to participate in holiday traditions, such as tree decorating, watching holiday movies, baking yummy Christmas-themed snacks, and spending time with extended family and friends. Christmas is a time of giving and sharing with those around us, but that sharing is also for people we may have never met: those who are not as fortunate in their lives. The Wise Men visited Jesus after his birth and presented him with gifts as an expression of worship and honour towards Jesus. Gift-giving (whether it be in the form of material gifts or time) can be a way to show our gratitude for the ultimate gift of Christ’s birth and sacrifice and demonstrate our love for others, particularly for those in need. Here are some Christmas giving ideas for families to teach children about the true joy of giving back: Sponsor a family in need at Christmas: Many charitable organizations in Ontario have programs where your family can sponsor people living in poverty by donating gifts to bring joy during the Christmas season or throughout the year.  Volunteer to sing or play music in a nursing home or senior care facility: There is nothing better than bringing a smile to another person’s face! Reach out to one in your local community, and find somewhere that your family can share their musical talents. Donate to your local food bank: Food pantries can always use help from people in the community, especially during the holidays. Check out the list of items that are most needed (they are usually posted on food bank websites), and bring your children along to the grocery store to help pick out the items and then deliver them together to the food bank. Donate extra coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and blankets: When looking at your family’s needs for the winter, be on the lookout for winter gear that you don’t need. Take the extra winter gear, and donate it to a family or person in your community who needs it — from those who are experiencing poverty, homelessness, or even newcomers who are facing our cold Canadian winters. Your local United Way or Salvation Army are great places to begin your search, but also check to see if your parish or school is having a winter clothing drive to contribute to Make and deliver Christmas cards to your local fire, ambulance, or police station: Bring some joy to first responders this season! Have your family make home-made Christmas cards to thank those in your community for their hard work throughout the year. Invite a friend or family member, or neighbour who may be alone during the Christmas season: For many, Christmas may be a lonely season, whether it be because of family issues, isolation, or family living far away. Invite someone over to spend part of the holiday celebrations with your family. Perform other random acts of kindness as part of an Advent calendar: Here are some ideas to add to your Advent calendar for your kids to practice this life-giving habit during the lead up to Christmas. The Bible says we were created for good works (Ephesians 2:10). So, as the Christmas season approaches, talk with your family, and share these ideas (and more) on how they can impact others with Christmas giving.