Hello
again! I am glad to be back after a very
busy week of activities at both the Parish and Kennedy.
I was so proud
to see so many parishioners and friends from the Warren area parishes attend
the Michael James Mette Concert on August 30.
I was blessed to spend much of the day with this beautiful Catholic
family. I am a person who notices
details and I want to share with you some of the things that I noticed about
this family that to me exemplifies what it means to be a Catholic family.
Celebrating the
Holy Mass: Flanked by their parents, the
six Mette children honored the Sabbath by being full, active participants of
the liturgy. Along with their parents,
they prayed, sang, listened, responded and honored God with their reverent
posture. It was beautiful to see every
single one of them (well, with the exception of the baby) fully participate in
liturgy. It made me hunger to see this
in every Catholic family. Imagine how much more joyful our worship
time together would be if EVERY person had the courage to be active, full
participants in the liturgy!
Christian
Parenting: Michael and Michelle have a
very patient and loving parenting manner.
I wish I possessed those skills when my Josh and Katie were little. I feel like I became a better parent as more
children came along and looking back I realize that the difference was not that
I somehow got smarter . . .no . . . the difference was that I started going
back to religious education! I can say without
a doubt that attending adult faith formation sessions brought me to a closer
relationship with Christ which made me a happier person which in turn made me a
better parent! I can see this in Michael
and Michelle! They have such love and
respect for each child and in turn their children have great respect for
them. They work as a family unit. Over the years, this is something for which I
long. Brian and I have lived a life of
divide and conquer; each of us doing our own thing and splitting up to make
sure the children all got to where they needed to be. Even in celebrating Liturgy . . . we very
rarely have the joy of sitting together. Parents with children still at home . . .the
best piece of advice that I can offer you is to work as a family. A family that plays together and prays together,
stays together! Please pray for my
family!
Celebrating
Meals: The Mette children were so joyous
no matter what the meal. I was so
worried that I did not prepare a hot meal for lunch (planned picnic food but
alas, it rained) but when the children saw the lunch buffet, they were so
appreciative. No one was permitted to
eat until all were in their seat so they could pray as a family. They each ate everything on their plate and
they cleaned up after themselves. They
asked permission before taking sweets!
THEY HAD CONVERSATION during meal!
It was so beautiful to witness. My friends, no matter how difficult, reclaim
your family meal time around your dining room table. Put electronics aside, shut off the tv and
talk with each other. Help each other do
the dishes afterward, pray together!
The
Concert: I have not been to a rock
concert in years and I have never had the privilege of attending a Christian
concert. I forgot how loud it would
be. The lights and video to me was
amazing and as a guitarist, I was all about watching Michael play his different
guitars! The music and video was so
inspirational. I loved the video about
creation . . . it was very thought provoking for me. Oh, and when the children came to join
Michael “on stage” . . . they are each so talented and joyous. Then Michael and Michelle stood next to each
other as Michelle gave a moving witness of their struggles to hold on to each other
in difficult times. For those struggling with marriage, may God be with you. May you feel the strength of the spirit
through your difficult times.
Be a strong
Catholic family and produce strong Catholic youth so that they may grow to
become a strong Catholic family and the circle of life honoring God and
neighbor may continue to thrive.
Shalom,
Tina
No comments:
Post a Comment