Family Prayer Night - (at YOUR home?)

The young people were the ones to name these nights: "Rosary Parties".
A group of families from around Andover, Massachusettes gather at one home, the children run around outside for awhile, they come in, share a meal, then gather for a time of prayer. Children lead the prayer. We had a great time on this particular night and I had to take this picture to share with all of you.

Mary and I have wanted to instigate evenings like this since we lived in our old neighborhood. Wish we had acted on that impulse back then...

A few months ago in Arizona a friend said she felt like we were supposed to help invite families to gather monthly for evenings of prayer. We agreed and have been praying about it more intensely ever since. How about you? Does your family pray together?

I know, I know, we catholics are great at "Bless us O Lord..." but beyond that, does your family PRAY together?

Some nights we pray for only a few moments. Some nights we pray a 'tricade' rosary. A priest friend told us when you have small children to just pray three Hail Mary's for each mystery. Almost each time we pray, we embark on amazing discussions about faith, philosophy, morals - of course this is at a 2, 8, and 12 year old levels - but we love those talks. If we never took the time - we would never have time to share about these things.

You let us know if and when you are ready to begin praying as a family - we're here to help! We will begin providing ideas and suggestions as well as actual prayers to kick-start this quiet miracle in your home. We also want to begin asking families to consider hosting an evening for other families in your home or parish. Let's say, once a month for thirty minutes at first, then see how it grows.

First suggestion: Tonight just before dinner, (Guess that means some families will have to start having dinner together! The first miracle!) light a small or tall candle, set it in the middle of the table (turn OFF the TV) turn down the lights, turn off cell phones - no texting teens! Take turns saying one thing you are thankful for... or print out a short verse from the Bible and have the youngest reader read it. Then continue on with the "Bless us O Lord..."

There. Probably a five minute 'delay' in your lives - but something that small can be the start of something new and sacred in your home.

Those of you out there who already do this - share what different ways YOU have found to pray.

Happy Mother's Day!

AND Happy Feast of Pentecost! Come Holy Spirit, awaken, revive, restore, transform, heal, strengthen, and renew the face of the earth. Bless all moms and comfort those who grieve. Amen!

Mama Mary, spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us all to convert our hearts to the Gospel of your son, our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Brick Walls, Parks, and Family Prayer

Just wanted you to know how close we parked to the Rectory at St. Augustine Parish in Andover, MA this last week. The first picture is taken from inside the RV and the next waving to Therese from inside the rectory when I was unplugging our power cord from an office window. Yes we saw little more than a brick wall out our dining room window - but that was because the real beauty was in the parish community. Holy priests with a sense of humor are a gift to our church. The people were very welcoming - still are. I took the picture below this morning from outside our RV at Harold Parker State Park just a few miles from St Augustine. When I drove in for mass, a parishioner asked "Where's the RV? Why did you leave us and when are you coming back?" Kind people.

Today we give the boys a day off of books so we can walk a portion of "Freedom Trail" in Boston. Paul Revere's house is open as is the church tower where he looked for the signal before his midnight ride... We'll see if it is true that Benjamin Franklin's parents are buried near Paul Revere in the same tiny graveyard. History - you gotta love it... or at least learn it!

I would have paid closer attention to history if I had been able to walk to these places when I was in elementary school.

Later this morning we will probably relocate to a coastal RV site where we can fill up on propane to stay warm at night. I know our Arizona friends will laugh at such a thought - but we are still breathing frost at night.

We are hearing some wonderful thoughts and ideas from families out here regarding family prayer. Be thinking about this in your own life: How does YOUR family pray together? What works or does not work for your family? This is very very important and while we walk the Freedom Trail I will be praying for a certain kind of Freedom for families who feel especially burdened by life's trials. It sounds corny but it is TRUE: Prayer really DOES change how we function as a family. I see it as a matter of life or death for families.

Think and type out what your family does - or what you wish your family had done (or could do) in the area of family prayer.