“So, give encouragement to each other and keep strengthening one another, as you do already.”
(1 Thess. 5:11)
omeone
stated that parents are like “coaches” for their children, offering
guidance, correction, and encouragement. Truly,
they are the spiritual directors of faith formation.
Here are some practical tips on what can be done in fostering an
awareness of personal vocation and mission in the home, while strengthening
family reliance on God as the center of daily life.
Vocation Prayer of Parents
for their Children
Loving God,
You have given us the privilege as well as
The responsibility of being loving parents.
In the name of Jesus, we ask you
To guide us as we invite our children
To hear Your Call to service and mission.
May our children respond
with deep faith and generosity
to the needs of God’s people,especially the poorest around the world.
Help us to be a source of encouragement
To our children by our own desire
To be committed people
Who serve with love and enthusiasm.
Amen
What Parents can do:
-
Pray for and with your children about God’s plan.
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Offer scriptural examples of God’s call, such as the story of Mary and Joseph, Martha and Mary, Peter, Jeremiah, Abraham and Sarah.
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Tell stories about the lives of saints and discuss how God called them.
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Help your children identify their God-given abilities, talents, and skills.
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Talk regularly with your children about the way God is present in their life and in your life.
What Children can do:
-
Look and listen for the signs and indicators of God’s will and presence.
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Pray everyday for discovery of God’s plan.
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Learn how your abilities can be used to serve God and the community.
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Discover how God is present in the lives of others, family and friends, in the poor and in other cultures.
“The sacrament of marriage makes Christian married couples and parents, witnesses of Christ “to the end of the earth,” missionaries, in the true and proper sense of love and life… Christian families offer a special contribution to the missionary cause of the Church by fostering missionary vocations among their sons and daughters and more generally by training their children from childhood to recognize God’s love for all people. Promoting such vocations is at the heart of missionary cooperation.” Pope John Paul II
(From Xaverian Mission Newsletter)