Through the ministry of working with this magazine, I’ve learned some excellent ideas from families I’ve met— celebrating saints’ feast days, marking Advent with a Jesse tree, reading faith-filled books and simply demonstrating that faith is a priority in our lives. This naturally spills over into our conversations with each other. (It also leads to some truly memorable questions, like ‘Can Jesus fly to Heaven in a rocket ship?’)

In this issue of Great Lakes Bay Catholic, you’ll meet the Spragues, an extended family who are growing in their faith together through Our Lady of Grace Parish’s “Families Forming Disciples” catechesis. This program includes the entire family in faith formation, as well as provides ways to strengthen the domestic church, which is the home. You’ll also see the powerful public witness of the Cross Walk at St. Gabriel Parish in Auburn. Many children and families participated in that Good Friday prayer, hosted by the parish youth group.

And, of course, we can never underestimate the impact of our own example as parents or grandparents. From volunteering our time and talent to prioritizing our own relationship with the Lord, our actions teach others. What better way than to learn in community? Whether engaged in sacramental preparation as a family, participating in communal prayer or serving others through our work, the Lord is there, seeking to meet us.

Thank you for reading Great Lakes Bay Catholic.

To Jesus through Mary,

Danielle