The Power of Music

I’ve seen the power of music to inspire faith and help children to grow. But God gave us this gift for more than this. When we explore the widespread use of music to help people heal, grow, and overcome, it is clear that the Holy Spirit works through music and that music is meant to be an integral part of our human experience.

The American Music Therapy Association can attest to the thousands of professionals who regularly use music to support the development of the disabled and delayed, treat those suffering from mental illness, and promote healing and pain management for those battling disease. Clinical studies show increased melatonin levels in Alzheimer’s patients who partake in

Generations

Grandma at Beach.jpg Last month, my children had an extended stay with Grandma and Grandpa, while John and I attended the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers Convention. Four children, ages 10 – 2 could have felt lonely or insecure without mom and dad for five whole days, but as luck would have it, my parents were able to take the kids to a friend’s beach house for a few days. This happy diversion kept everyone’s mind busy and distracted.

Now it takes a couple hours to drive to this beach house. Before the days of DVD players, my mother had us sing in the car to pass the time and avoid sibling battles. So I shouldn’t have been surprised when my seven-year-old greeted me with

Video Games and Growing Brains

In our house, we do not own a video gaming system. We do have a DS and the kids have a few games for it. My sister, who is single, has a pretty elaborate set-up and includes games for her nieces and nephews in the mix. So they are allowed to play at her house. The newest game is Lego Rock Band.

Speaking as a mom, this game is fun. The lyrics are pre-screened for family-friendliness and you can control which songs the children use. This game is played socially, with a group and even as a family. Video games are supposed to be “bad” for you, but honestly, there are some benefits. Games can encourage practice of skills like reading, memory and problem-solving. One particular study found that surgeons who play a significant amount of video games weekly have more successful outcomes when performing laparoscopic surgeries. So a certain kind of hand-eye coordination is improving in this process.

However, multiple studies over the past several years confirm

The Rocket’s Red Glare

My family has been able to attend a wonderful fireworks display each July for the last several years. Sitting comfortably on well-manicured, insect-free lawns, we watch an impressive, semi-private show complete with accompanying music. This is an event, along with ball games and the Olympics that makes me painfully aware of my children’s incompetence in singing our National Anthem. I need to make a conscious effort this summer to remedy this.

The lyrics aren’t the easiest to remember and understand for little ones. They are both poetic and narrative and filled with imagery of war’s realities and ideals. We sit peacefully in beaches, parks, parties and events watching an exciting display of color and light, while Francis Scott Key, author of The Star Spangled Banner, sat about 200 years ago witnessing