A young man in his junior year of high school phoned the parish office, inquiring about becoming Catholic. He had been baptized Methodist. Several of his friends from high school were Catholic, and he would soon be with them at the university.

These friends talked about their faith, Mass, and sacraments, sparking his curiosity. However, the same level of interest was not shared by his parents, making it a personal decision for him. They were accepting of his decision but “not interested.”

Leading by doing

Then three things happened: he entered our adult initiation process, his friends accompanied him, and his dad began delving into his son’s materials.

“And a child shall lead them.”

Isaiah 11:6

Though in a different context than Isaiah’s imagery, it is often true that children help their parents discover a hunger for God, for faith. For some of us adults who are “cradle Catholics,” when our children are enjoying their faith formation sessions, and we are accompanying them in their formation process, we learn too. Some things we’ve forgotten over the years, or we have our own grade-school level understanding, so this is an opportunity to learn more. The parent sessions are a prime time for nurturing adult faith. Maybe even for asking questions and getting some clarity.

Each parish situation is unique, but once they try it, parents and grandparents who are taking time to learn their faith find it is more convenient just to be there at the parish while the children are in their sessions. Times coincide, and there is a lot to talk about on the way home and later. A long time ago, I remember seeing my dad pick up some of my school books and read them late in the evening. I’ve always appreciated that memory, and it taught me to be attentive to my children and to encourage children to ask their parents to read with them.

Each parish situation is unique, but once they try it, parents and grandparents who are taking time to learn their faith find it is more convenient just to be there at the parish while the children are in their sessions.

Keeping paths open

Our Christian initiation process, open to parents and other family members in parallel gatherings, helps keep the whole family on a path together as they grow in faith. Often, parents realize anew how they are the primary catechists for their children, even as they all learn together. Habits of learning and praying together can deepen everyone’s sense of care and support for one another and help keep open the lines of communication.

Our parish school and our religious faith formation leaders stress how important it is for parents to accompany their children and to seek their own adult formation, even participating in the Christian initiation process if desired. We grow together.

The young man’s dad read, asked, and listened enough to prompt the next step and trigger his own request to know more about the Catholic faith. It was a matter of a few years before he entered the Christian initiation process, quite fully energized and grateful that his son could be his companion on that part of his life journey.

A family friend was his sponsor as he made his profession of faith and joined his son at the table of the Eucharist! An amazing blessing!