KEEPING YOUR KIDS CATHOLIC

What the data shows and what I’ve learned personally... 1. Both parents must be fully engaged and involved in being Catholic. If one slacks off, or one is not Catholic, the other bears double burden and keeping the kids Catholic is exponentially harder. Keeping kids Catholic is always a team effort. If one spouse is “missing in action” try to find a friend or family member (of the same gender) to fill in that role. 2. Teach your kids the faith yourself. Parents are the primary educators, especially in matters of religion. If you leave it up to the local priest, Catholic school or parish catechist, you’ve already lost them. It’s over. 3. Know the faith yourself. Both parents must learn the Catholic Faith. You can’t teach children what you yourself do not know. Use the Baltimore Catechism No. 4 (paperback here). This is the best family catechism and will keep you synced with the children catechisms you’ll be using. 4. Use pictures to teach the Catholic Faith. Most children learn by seeing …