Faithful Families

There was mention in Mass today about the important role that parents play in forming a child's faith; it's the single strongest determining factor.

We did attend church faithfully growing up, a testament to the ethic of both my parents. The only Sundays I remember that didn't include Mass were the ones that included 12-inch snowfalls.

I don't remember a lot of conversation about faith in our house around the dinner table, for example. Of course, I don't remember a lot of conversation about any topic, though I'm sure we had them. I'm guessing that the TV played a big role in that, because I definitely remember that we were fans of Cheers and other shows. [Mental note: Mom sat with her back to the TV. What was that like for twenty years?]

Eventually I developed my spiritual beliefs through the trial and error of independent thoughts and life experience. It may be that the strongest aspect of faith that my parents gave me was devotion itself, to us kids and to church. Mom and Dad would be 53 years married if he were still alive, and I never lacked for their love (despite its many forms). I hope that Dena and I can achieve the same.