Michael Sliney

1. Prayer– Jesus went to the desert to pray, to be with his Father before beginning his public ministry.  Take time out of your DAILY schedule to pray more, to recharge your spiritual batteries and deepen your friendship with Our Lord!
2. Fasting– what are your numbing mechanisms or unhealthy attachments?  Too much social media, too little silence, alcohol or sweets, sports apps?  Give up the one that is most getting in the way of your friendship with Jesus and offer it up for a good intention!
3. Almsgiving– sure, make more donations to your favorite charity, but perhaps as well, live your charity in a deeper way with the porcupine in your fishbowl, the person with whom you find it most difficult to interact.  Stretch your heart this Lent and allow JESUS to love that person through you!

TKC!Dear friends, in Christ,    After over 25 years of youth ministry in the DC and NYC areas,  and 21 years of priestly ministry with spiritual directions and so many family dinners and conversations about this topic, I thought I would share a few reflections for parents on raising children.

1. Your kids are a gift from God. He created their souls, he has entrusted them to you and you need to pray for his wisdom and strength to manage this mission successfully.  

2.  A father’s influence on a daughter’s self-esteem is critical for her development…his love, affection and personal interest are crucial for her formation and in formulating her criteria for finding a future husband.  The mother’s generous and sacrificial heart is critical for the character formation of all the kids. At the same time, the dads and moms needs to prepare their sons and daughters respectively for the challenges ahead. 

3. Tough love from a united front.  Clear guidelines with clear consequences.

4. Discipline: housework for everyone.  Summer jobs from a young age.  Personal bank accounts to fund “personal wants” vs. basic needs which are covered by the parents.

5. Constant communication between the husband and wife regarding the kid’s formation: listening to each other’s unique perspective, and agreeing to a general formation plan for each child. 

6. Encourage team sports or other hobbies that force interaction with other kids, building people skills and grit with their peers. But all this “within reason”…at times travel teams can be all consuming and destructive for family life, and kids are overcommitted from a very tender age. This can create high stress levels in the family unit. 

7. Limit social media and video game time.  Phone basket at night, no computer or technology in the bedrooms, unlimited access for parents to all social media platforms. No phones at meals (strive for family dinners a few times a week), quality conversation time in the car rides.  Watch a movie with values, that could be used as a family discussion topic. 

8. Family outreach and mission trips, teaching the kids this value early on. 

9. Unconditional love.  Focus on having the kids do their best with the goal of them attending the “right” college and not necessarily the “best” college.  

10. Most importantly, work hard to have a Christ-centered and beautiful marriage; the kids needs to see the parents loving each other and showing respect towards each other, as the kids will mimic that behavior.  Let your kids see your faith lived out in your daily prayers, regular Mass and Confession, praying the rosary and bringing up faith in meal and car conversations.  If it is real for you, it will be real for them.  
God bless, Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

“Love Mary!…if you are troubled, she will console you. If you are sick, she will bring you relief. If you are in need, she will help you. She does not look to see what kind of person you have been. She simply comes to a heart that wants you to love her. She comes quickly and opens her merciful heart to you, embraces you and consoles and serves you. She will even be at hand to accompany you on the trip to eternity.” St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
Whenever you call on Our Blessed Mother, she will always intercede for you directly with her Son…

“What we achieve inwardly, will change outer reality.” Plutarch
The inward “glow” of a saint is the main reason behind their huge apostolic effectiveness…

“Kindness is my only guiding star, in its light, I sail a straight route, I have my motto written on my sail: ‘To live in love.’” St. Therese of Lisieux