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The family which has a roof over its head and a table to eat at is well prepared for everyday life and education. Sound doctrine is like the roof and the table of our Christian life. Those who rely only on feelings and want to picnic all the time have no shelter for themselves or for others, when gales blow, and animals trample the food into the ground.
It is strange that when so many children are given patient instruction on matters such as re-cycling, or taking exercise, there is a great silence on far more important matters, such as chastity, honesty, love for others and reverence for God - without which we endanger our very souls.
It is strange that when so many children are given patient instruction on matters such as re-cycling, or taking exercise, there is a great silence on far more important matters, such as chastity, honesty, love for others and reverence for God - without which we endanger our very souls.
It is strange that when so many children are given patient instruction on matters such as re-cycling, or taking exercise, there is a great silence on far more important matters, such as chastity, honesty, love for others and reverence for God - without which we endanger our very souls.
The mother of a priest should recognise her part in the development of his vocation. First, she was grateful for the gift of a child, when so many mothers choose to refuse that gift and arranged for their tiny babies to be destroyed in the womb. And most mothers of priests have provided encouragement in the Catholic Faith, and an example of trust in God.
The mother of a priest should recognise her part in the development of his vocation. First, she was grateful for the gift of a child, when so many mothers choose to refuse that gift and arranged for their tiny babies to be destroyed in the womb. And most mothers of priests have provided encouragement in the Catholic Faith, and an example of trust in God.
Many Catholics have no idea of what is really happening at Mass. It is tragic that so many children say that they are bored at Mass. Not having been instructed about the Holy Sacrifice of Christ, they are ignorant of the fact that Christ is truly Present amongst us, praising the Father of Light in the presence of the whole Church. We pray with the Saints and the Holy Souls, and with the Holy Angels.
Some deficient catechesis puts great emphasis on God's work for human beings in past ages, and God's glorious plans for the faithful in Heaven, but with little teaching about how we can meet and touch God here, in the present moment.
The Lord showed me a series of posters which represented the many subjects studied in Catholic schools. If the children don't learn spiritual truths, however, they will be lost. They need to know about God's love for them, and their unique worth; and also about the importance of prayer, the sacraments, holy living, the Mass, and perseverance in grace until death.
It is mainly because Catholic children have been so poorly catechised that, not knowing about Christ's Real Presence in Church, they chatter, shout, and misbehave, as if in a playground.
Vocations have a 'seed-bed': wherever families believe and practice the Faith, love Christ and His Church, obey their pastors, and train their children, as they ought, to treasure their spiritual heritage.
When the tenets of various religions are listed without comment, in Catholic schools; and when the uniqueness of Christian beliefs are not proclaimed; the children are being educated in 'indifferentism' (as if the differences are not important; as if all religions provide equally valid ways to reach God and Heaven), and this can occur too when Catholics celebrate festivals of other religions.
When the tenets of various religions are listed without comment, in Catholic schools; and when the uniqueness of Christian beliefs are not proclaimed; the children are being educated in 'indifferentism' (as if the differences are not important; as if all religions provide equally valid ways to reach God and Heaven), and this can occur too when Catholics participate in the worship of other religions.
Just as a chef is kind to his trainee when he reminds him that he has forgotten to put eggs in his sponge mixture, so we speak from charity, not from hard-heartedness, when we give people precise instructions about the Faith, and tell them what behaviour is sinful in the sight of God.
God wants everyone to know that we don't need special circumstances in which to show out love for God and our neighbour, or advanced education or special training or equipment. In whatever vocation God has called us to undertake, we can show our love, and - by the graces won for us by Christ - prepare for Eternity in Heaven.
The Father in Heaven looks down upon many children who have been badly instructed. It is amazing that at their First Holy Communion many know nothing about sin, about the Saviour Who died for us, about the Sacrifice of Calvary, and about that same sacrifice being re-presented here, in the Mass.
A person who adopts a new country, and loves it, finds out all he can, studies its history, travels to beautiful places, and defends it to others - and a person who gives his allegiance to Christ should likewise find out all he can about Him, study the history of His People and His Church, and learn what the Scriptures tell about Him.
Christ told me how little the Cross is mentioned by preachers and teachers today: the Cross on which He suffered because of the grievous sins no longer mentioned. He is grieving, too, because people say that devotion to His Mother is old fashioned, and because Catholic school children are often taught more about self-esteem than humility.
A charitable person teaches children how to behave in God's house and how to pray; and she therefore helps them to find inner peace in the Presence of their Saviour. It is not charitable to let a child run riot and disturb other people, in a place specially consecrated for Christian prayer.
A child needs to learn that the body and soul make one unique person. The body is made alive by the soul. The soul can never die; but when it leaves the body, the body dies. Until that time, a person should feed his body with food and drink, and feed his soul with spiritual food and drink, which is Jesus Himself, 'Hidden' in the Sacred Host or chalice.
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