TKC!
InspireYouVideo: Perseverance
Taking God out of the picture
Taking God out of the mix has it’s harsh consequences, especially for our youth. This recent article from National Review caught my eye, and made me even more determined to strive to bring to Jesus back into our American family life.
“Our teenagers and often those still younger are taking their lives in increasing numbers, many seemingly without warning. Many more young people are suffering from depression, anxiety, or related mental-health problems. The reports often link to social media: bullying leading to suicide; serious self-harm in an attempt to deal with emotional pain; suicide pacts; a widely cited post giving reasons for suicide by a child who killed herself; drug abuse and other destructive behaviors; school shootings that often end in suicide. Other evidence of youthful mental-health problems: Pre-adult suicides are up three to five times (depending on the source) since the 1950s and still increasing. One study reported that 10 percent of the young are taking anti-depressants. In “Teen Depression and Anxiety: Why the Kids Are Not Alright,” Susanna Schrobsdorff of Time magazine noted that “adolescents today have a reputation for being fragile, less resilient, and more overwhelmed than their parents growing up.” We are also seeing an increase in mental-health issues in college-age students.
While the secular class and those victimized by their policies have been shedding their religious beliefs, evidence for the positive effects of religious life have been repeatedly reported by many studies over the past decades. Many of them show that strongly religious people are happier, healthier, and live longer than those with no religious belief and practice. Having faith in God and attributing a religious meaning to life anchors people, directs their efforts to things beyond the material world, protects them against setbacks, and provides supportive community.” (Paul Vitz & Bruce Buff, National Review, July 27, 2017)
My personal go-to place during my years at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan was the small chapel near the front office. I knew I could count on Jesus, to listen and patch up whatever girlfriend, academic or personal issue that was on my heart. He was always there and I felt he truly cared about ME.
I recently received a phone call from a 23 year old young man in Washington, D.C. who attended our Leadership Training Program in grade school. He said, “Fr. Michael, it has been awhile, but I simply needed to call you. I just graduated from a prestigious college in 3 and a half years, I am working at a major consulting firm with a high paying job, and I am surrounded by a ton of people who would call me their friend. But I’ve come to realize that none of these “friends” really care much about me. Some are using me, others enjoy my personality or perhaps we share interests, but I don’t feel any of them are really concerned about me as a person. You taught me that Jesus was our best friend in LTP, and I actually started to develop that relationship as a kid, and as a result, I found peace and happiness. Life got busy during High School and college, and I have really slipped away from Jesus and the Church. Now I am calling you to get some help in getting him back.”
There is a “God hole” in every adolescent that only He can fill. Drugs, sex, social media…try to stuff their way into this hole but they do not fit. Parents, please give this all important gift of a genuine Faith to your kids!!
Modesty
God expects more from you
TKC!
“Yours is the gigantic task of overcoming all evil with good, always trying amidst the problems of life to place your trust in God, knowing that his grace supplies strength to human weakness. You must oppose every form of hatred with the invincible power of Christ’s love.” St. John Paul II
Most of you reading this email have a much deeper faith and friendship with Christ than the majority of the folks in the world. God expects more from you, and he needs you to let your love and your light shine, especially when dealing with difficult people.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
A “Faith” reaction
Importance of prayer
TKC!
Please see my latest LifeZette article on prayer: http://www.lifezette.com/faithzette/why-moms-especially-need-to-make-time-for-prayer/
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
The greatest act of charity
Love is demanding
TKC!
“Genuine love … is demanding. But its beauty lies precisely in the demands it makes. Only those able to make demands on themselves in the name of love can then demand love from others.” St. John Paul II
Is the “sky the limit” in your spousal and parental relationships? There is no greater gift you can give your kids than the example of a selfless, generous disposition towards your spouse and kids, loving them in the way they prefer to be loved! Kids absorb and eventually imitate this beautiful example! Then you, in turn, can make demands on your kids!
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Prayer from the heart
Leadership by example
TKC!
“Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Blessed Paul VI
When it comes to moving other people to conversion and change, human qualities mean very little. Authenticity, fidelity, humility and charity are what truly move hearts and minds.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC