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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

4A Religion and Faith

• What did you find helpful or interesting in this section of the film?
• Did you grow up with a religious background? What was it like?
• Can you share something about your own faith or values?
• How do you think parents can pass on their faith or values to their children?

 

4B Church and Sunday Mass

• What did you find helpful or interesting in this section of the film?
• Did you go to church as a child? What memories do you have?
• Are you able to bring your children to church on Sundays? What can make it difficult? What can make it work better?
• What can help your children to grow in their own faith?

 

SOME KEY IDEAS FROM THE SESSION

Fr Stephen writes: “When I was very young, my grandfather gave me a bible with beautiful illustrations, and I still treasure it today. At the end of the day, my mum would say a prayer with me when I was tucked up in bed. I remember making a long list of the people I wanted to pray for – something I still do today. And even when I was a teenager, and seemed to have lost my Christian faith, I know that mum prayed for me every day. She never gave up. Dad didn’t talk about faith very much, but I knew it was important to him. His quiet example of going to church every Sunday made an impression on me.

Most of us learn our faith through our family, and above all by the example and prayers of our parents. It’s good to think about how the Christian faith can be part of your family life, and to see what a difference it can make for you and for your children.”

Faith is the greatest gift anyone can be given, after life itself. Even if your faith does not seem to be very strong, it still makes a huge difference: To know that there is a God who made you and your family, and cares for you all. To know that you can turn to Jesus in prayer and thanksgiving. To know that the Church is there to help and support you.

One of the main responsibilities of Catholic parents is to pass on the Catholic faith to their children. They do this not just as a duty, but because they know what a blessing it will be for their children. They know how difficult life would be for a child without prayer, without the sacraments, without Christian values, and without the hope of heaven. If you are a Catholic parent, no one else can do this for you.

It can sometimes be difficult taking children to Mass each Sunday – difficult getting there, keeping them quiet, keeping them interested, etc. But the routine of going to Mass each Sunday creates a faith structure to your children’s week that will have a far, far deeper impact on them than you can imagine.

It means they are aware of God’s presence in their life during the week. They hear his Word, they meet him in the Eucharist, and they are reminded that there is a bigger purpose to life – holiness, knowing God, loving others, and going to heaven. And for you as a family, however difficult or chaotic life is, it means that your family life is built on faith.

Going to Mass each Sunday is like letting a firm anchor down to the bottom of the sea. Even if daily life feels like a raging storm, the boat of your family life is held secure by that anchor. Sometimes you may feel inspired, or sometimes a bit dry. Sometimes you may feel very peaceful, or sometimes completely distracted. The important thing is that you are there every Sunday. This is not so much a duty, as an invitation. The Lord is there for you. He asks you to love and honour him, and invites you and your family to share his life. Whatever is happening in your life, however difficult or dry things are – do everything you can to be at Sunday Mass, and hold onto the conviction that Sunday Mass is important and a central part of each week.