Parent Teacher Talk
February 4, 2018
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mark 1: 29 - 39
Our readings open with Job in the midst of suffering and in the moment when he begins to despair, losing hope in God.
The Psalm reminds us that God has a special place for the suffering, that he can heal the broken - hearted, like Job.
St. Paul has so much hope in God that he cannot avoid joy or suffering in his need to preach the reasons for his hope, the goodness of God.
Like Paul, Peter's mother-in-law is moved to serve God as soon as she has been healed. Jesus brings hope through healing to many who were despairing in their illness and disease. How long did those suffering live with their infirmity, but God did not ignore their pleas.
Their comfort and healing was always in His Plan.
Important Dates
February
3rd................. 7th Grade Confirmation Retreat at STM
10th............... Marriage Dinner - Register Now!
14th............... Ash Wednesday
16th............... Lenten Friday: Stations of the Cross at 7:30 pm following Fish Fry from 5:00 - 7:30 pm
18th............... RCIA, Rite of Sending & Election
21st............... Monthly Rosary - Seek Mary's intercession for your most critical needs!
25th............... First Communion Demo of Mass after 10 am Mass in Church
March
17th............... First Communion Retreat: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Parish Dining Hall
25th............... Palm Sunday
29th............... Holy Thursday
30th............... Good Friday
31st................ Easter Vigil
NEWSY NOTES
7th Grade Confirmation Retreat for Students only! Meet in Parish Dining Hall at 10:00 am
Meditation
"Do not be despondent, my soul, if the enemy attacks you,
but let him be beaten off by prayer and fasting."
- St. Andrew
Greetings Parents,

Have your children ever thought you were an ogre because you insisted they follow a professional's advice (which matches other professional advice)? "But Mom, I've been doing that and I'm fine! The doctors ( or teachers or... insert profession here) are wrong. I'm the one living with it, not them. They don't know." It is true that we know ourselves best in many ways and that sometimes "professionals" don't discern correctly, but for some things, the research is pretty solid, but we don't like it so we argue. Oh, I mean our children argue. Eat too much candy on a regular basis and our teeth, weight, and overall health are at risk. When sick, drink lots of clear fluids and get rest or it will be harder to recover. When preparing for a test, review the material multiple times. These are points of advice given for the benefit of those in the situation. The "giver" is not trying to be bossy, a dictator, or relish in their power over others by spouting irrelevant "rules." Their goal is to help others.

"It's cold out today, change into a long sleeve shirt." "But Mom, I feel fine." "Yes, but your arms are ice cold." "But Mom..." Even when they don't argue,you can see in their faces that they're massively annoyed and think parents are outrageous. Our 20 - 30 year additional life experience means nothing to them, although their one year advantage over the younger grade means they are so much wiser.

It is frustrating when they won't accept what we know to be true. You're tired? Go rest. You have a headache? Find a quiet space and lie down. You're hungry between meals? Eat a piece of fruit. So, I have to ask myself if, make that "when," do I frustrate You, God, in this way? Surely, I do. Whenever He prompts me to pause for prayer in during a car ride alone, surely He is frustrated when I think, "In just a moment after this song." When He's reminded me so often that it's the little things that count, but I'm so tired and simply remind my children to say prayers on their own, rather than us praying together. Really?! Five more minutes, and I think God won't help me through them? Am I so differetn than my children then? Whose Wisdom do I trust more? My own in the under a century I've existed, or the Wisdom of the ever-living God that He chose to hand down through His True Church?

Hug those sweet geniuses tight and may God bless you and your families abundantly!

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

As a child, I was told that ghosts were not real, just a fairy tale to scare people. With more knowledge of my faith, the existence of ghosts has become a reality! A brief explanation of the kinds of ghosts below is worth knowing!.
Prophets are in the past, right? Actually, no! We might not have Moses and John the baptist, but there are holy people sharing the insights God grants them. One man in particular made predictions 50 years ago that were received with anger, disbelief, and controversy, but whose predictions have come true.
There are times in all of our lives when we need advice, a party somewhat distanced from the situation who can offer objective pros and cons without feeling emotionally vested in either one, only in what is best for us. At times some of us need additional guidance from someone professionally versed in identifying root problems to help sort through layers of issues and find the true cause of serious concerns. Why is it, then, that for one issue, access to counseling is, in places, frowned upon and even denied? Consider the information below - it could affect your ability to parent your children.