These days various programs of religious education for children, adolescents and adults begin.
No one is too old to grow in wisdom, knowledge and faith. I hope that adults will take advantage of the many faith forming events that are offered here. I also hope that the required classes for parents and godparents for Baptism will be seen as an opportunity to grow in faith and not simply a hoop to be jumped through.
Religious education classes for children and young people will begin these days. Children spend 16,000 hours watching television by the time they are in eighth grade. That’s about 4 hours a day. Religious education classes go on for about eight months for about an hour and a half a week, but with breaks for holidays and perhaps inclement weather. Kids will probably miss because they are sick. In comparison to time watching television and perhaps online, that isn’t much time, is it?
That is why the saying that parents are the first educators in the faith is more than a pious refrain. At Mariage and Baptism parents (and godparents) promised to do so. Remember the question that you said yes to when you got married? “Will you accept children lovingly for God and educate according to the law of Christ and the Church?”
At Baptism a similar promise was made.
More next week.
Saint James Catholic Church 