Framing the Domestic Church – The Catholic Family in Crisis

Many of you probably know that the Church places great importance on the family and has coined the phrase, “The Domestic Church” to refer to the vocation and importance of family life.  Each family is called to be a Domestic Church.  “Domestic” reminds us of reality of family life, but “Church” implies a divine mission and eternal partnership with our Creator and Savior. 

One common discussion among the clergy and faithful is a concern that the Domestic Church is under serious attack and is in crisis in our nation and through much of the world.  With rising divorce rates and media and political agendas that undermine family values, the sanctity of marriage, the sacredness of sex, and the human dignity of the unborn, sick and elderly, many are discouraged and Church leadership has spoken up.

When we developed Making Music Praying Twice, I was looking for a music program for my family that hit all the educational points on my list and included the faith that was central to our life.  However, I also had spent some years working in effective teen ministry and trying to start effective ministry for young mothers.  Making Music Praying Twice answered both of these calls.  I continually hear catechists, pastors, and ministers complain that many of the children in their religious education programs are not receiving formation in the home.  The first five years of life are the MOST formative years of a child’s life, and many children are arriving at the parish door at age five spiritually starved and stunted. 

If the family is the Domestic Church, marriage is the foundation.  This is a very important area for us to address.  Next, though, should be the framing.  If a house is poorly framed, how difficult will it be to fix once the paint is dry and the furniture is moving in?  The sooner we intervene, the better!  We’ve been blown away by the stories we hear from parishes and families on how introducing faithful music into the home is transforming families.  This is especially important because these are very young families.  The framework is just going up!

The Church in the UK has recently put great efforts into addressing the crisis in families.  After extensive research, it is not surprising that they are taking time to address the youngest families, with children ages 0-5.  The most effective ministry in this age group is what they call “Toddler Groups”.  Learn more on their webpage, and facebook page (Like it and lend your support!).  Check out their video about toddler groups on facebook.  There are some great quotes in there about the importance of addressing young families. 

I was privileged to discuss some of these issues with Elizabeth Davies, the Marriage and Family Life Project Officer in the UK, at the National Family Life Ministers Conference last year.  They have intern Katie Petrik working on developing the Toddler Program now and she is showing us some very successful Toddler Group models online.

The existing model is very specific to British culture.  Some US parishes are offering playgroups and even some programs with more structure like the Toddler Group model.  If your parish is doing something wonderful for this age group, please comment about it.  We all have to be aware of successful ways to edify the Domestic Church at this critical time.  Katie will soon be back in the US to help spread this movement in the US Church!

I have spoken to parishes several times about the possibilities and opportunities we have to become the “place to be” for families with young children.  Instead of lamenting our closing schools, use the real estate to serve our whole families, offering a faith-filled social and extra-curricular life for children with their parents, particularly those with young children.  Let’s get in and address the building of the Domestic Church at the beginning of its construction.  If the framing is poor, all the following work will be compromised.  God bless all of you who have built strong foundations and frames for your families.  As Domestic Church we must spread the Good News, helping other families find their way in Christ.

God bless,

Kate