Our Catholic Faith

“The single most important influence on the religious and spiritual lives of adolescents is their parents.”

Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of America’s Teenagers

Family as Church

Beginning with the early Church Fathers, the church has written much on the importance of marriage and family life as being the first, and most important, cell of society. The Vatican II Council reintroduced the early church’s understanding of the family as the “Domestic Church,” a place where the faith is lived.

Teenagers and Faith

Parents Growing in FaithParents and youth leaders often spend quite a bit of time wondering what adolescents think about faith. Recent research on the faith lives of America's teenagers might be surprising to some adults. It turns out that the large majority of teens believe in God, but how that belief is lived out can vary greatly.

Adults have a significant role in the lives of teenagers and there are key steps adults can take to help youth grow into healthy, holy adults. Take a look at some of the recent research to learn how to support the teenagers in your life.

Family at MassParents as Primary Educators

Parents are called to be the first and primary educators of their children (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2226), yet many parents feel ill-equipped to take up this responsibility.Adults “cannot give what they do not have” so it is essential for parents to grow in knowledge of the faith and nurture their own prayer life.

 

Spirituality

"Parents as primary educators" does not mean simply taking your child to religious education classes and saying grace before meals. Both of those are important, but faith must be lived. Learn more about how to foster faith in your children and teens.