Parent Teacher Talk
October 22, 2017
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 22: 15 - 21
The first readings and psalm are reminders that nothing happens outside the power of God and that God orchestrates the wonders we see - including the rise of particular leaders and nations for the fulfillment of His Plan, despite man's disobedience. In the Gospel, when religious leaders sought a worldly answer to a worldly concern, Jesus' answer not only provides an answer for which they cannot argue from a worldly perspective, but His answer includes an underlying rebuke to the religious leaders who preached on worldly actions rather than interior conversion to accepting and living the WIll of God in their heart.
Important Dates
October
26th.. 6:30 pm Fr. Bill presents-First Reconciliation! For children making their First Reconciliation
November
5th................ Daylight Savings! Set your clocks back one hour - Extra Sleep!
5th....1:00 pm All Soul's Reception in Parish Dining Hall
11th - 12th .... Women's Christ Renews His Parish Retreat - Join us to recharge your life!
16th...7:00 pm First Reconciliation Celebration! Gather in your assigned pew before 7:00 pm!
19th... 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.. 8th Grade Pancake Breakfast
26th............... Thanksgiving Holiday! No PSR, CLOW, or RCIA Gatherings.
NEWSY NOTES
"Father Bill Presents" at our next First Reconciliation Gathering!
Children and one or more parents should attend - you do not need your folders.
We'll Gather in the Parish Dining Hall at 6:30 pm.
Meditation
“The devil does not bring sinners to hell with their eyes open: he first blinds them with the malice of their own sins. Before we fall into sin, the enemy labours to blind us, that we may not see the evil we do and the ruin we bring upon ourselves by offending God. After we commit sin, he seeks to make us dumb, that, through shame, we may conceal our guilt in confession."
--St. Alphonsus Liguori
Greetings Parents,

Priorities! For my children, getting a daily token or prize from a game by logging in every day is of utmost importance. We parents, however, hold a higher regard for them being able to survive some days without electronics. Having free time to do "whatever" is paramount to a successful day for them, but we parents lean more toward certain chores being done before the free time is exercised. We can "teach" until we're blue in the face on the reasons why certain things need to be done, or need to be done first, but we can't make physically make them do as we wish. We can enforce consequences, but we can't move their arms for them, at least not after a certain age. At times it is frustrating!

I wonder sometimes, how God expects me to raise "good" children when they are so ornery? We impose consequences and seek to establish a good order, but while we might create outward compliance, the defiance grows in their minds. Sometimes the defiance comes from outside factors that have influence on our children - their world outside the home and the world we let into the home via various media. The influence can be good, but it can also lead astray, planting seeds of unhappiness when our children are to young to fully perceive that true happiness is not merely "pleasure," be it immediate or delayed. What's a parent to do?

The first answer is always prayer! So much aid and protection can come from prayer! Discernment for right decisions can be found through prayer as well! So what does God do when we won't turn to Him? He has no one to pray to for help! He is the recipient of all prayer - the "buck" stops with Him! He has already done so much! At some point, there is a limit to what both God and parents can do. He proposes, sends His Son to meet and greet, sends saints, performs miracles everyday, and never ceases calling everyone with open arms. He comes down from heaven every day to meet us at the altar, but only asks for a once-a-week commitment plus holy days. He asks us to have a conversation with Him each day - which is less than we usually expect of some children. We usually expect, or would like, them to chat with us at least a little each time we see them again. I guess God might appreciate the same thing.

Perhaps whenever our children frustrate us in some way, we could use that as a trigger to remind ourselves to consider in what ways we are frustrating God. Have I spoken with Him much today to know if He has something amazing for me planned in which I am not participating? Or am I sosure that what I have planned for the day is better for myself and others than what He might have in mind?
Hug those chatty and quiet gifts tightly and may God bless you and your children abundantly!

-- Linda Bader, St. Thomas More
Articles for Parents

The 100th Anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima Portugal has been celebrated, but the lessons remain relevant this century after the miracle and beyond. Consider the lessons highlighted by the author of the article below. There has been much written recently about Fatima, but I confess to learning something valuable with every article I read.
"Sharing our pain" is a common reason for speaking negatively about other people. While it is true when unflattering words are shared between confidantes who seek advice for better interacting with people, it can be a false front for those who, perhaps subconsciously, want to win others to their "side" of a situation. We have a natural tendency to compare ourselves to "others" and having more people perceive a person the same "negative" way we perceive them can bolster our own self-image.
PARENTS: Help your children recognize this! Social conversations usually have far less consequence for a "verbal bully" than the victim. As parents, we must model positive conversations that focus on discernment of "good or bad actions" by others, rather than on attacking someone's character. We do not know the motivations of others, the struggles in their lives outside of our interaction. Guide your children in how to manage helpful and unhelpful social situations!
College is a wonderful place to learn more with a mind that is mostly adult, although still very inexperienced in living with the responsibilities of an adult. Idealism runs high because the cost of holding the ideals has (often) been relatively suffering-free. It is also a ripe area for those who wish to change society by tapping into the youthful zeal and relative innocence of minds eager to be open and fair. How do parents help their children be part of the all the good that is offered, while not falling prey to immoral lifestyles shrouded in apparent good intent? The author at the link below offers 3 concrete answers that cost nothing but time invested in your relationship with your child.