Sunday, September 16, 2007

Telling Your Story

Today started a new year of CCD (Sunday School) for the kids. During this year's program, Jaclyn will celebrate her Holy Communion. Living this experience with my children, I am reminded of my days in a Catholic parochial school. I now have an appreciation for the Roman Catholic faith and especially an appreciation of living that faith (not just text book knowledge).

As parents, we attended an orientation for this program. The theme was for our kids to tell their story - their story of encountering Christ. After Day 1, we felt a comfort that God's grace is surrounding our family. David's teacher seemed excellent & his 1st Grade teacher is in the class. Jaclyn is in the class taught by the principal of the school. We wrapped up this sunny day (with a crisp cool breeze) to play in the "CCD Park" as David like to call it.

I learn every day about being a father & a Dad. I want to do right by them. I don't receive feedback from them, so I really don't know how I am doing (& I guess I will never know).

I want my children to experience physical activities like football, basketball and baseball (my sports). I support their new found physical activities like gymastics and soccer. I want my children to be intellectually stimulated at school & at home (trips to Bronx Zoo, etc). I want to be able to provide extra support when needed (whether it is time or money). I want my children to be spiritually fed. I understand it is a journey with hills and valleys. No expectations here - I just want to provide the foundation they can always rely on.

My struggles I guess lie in determining what activities to take on versus what not to take on. When should I lead, follow or move on.

Of course for me as a Dad my ultimate question is "How can I do it all with limited time & resources?" I suspect this question is one other Dad's are dealing with? I don't feel despondent. I actually feel challenged - very challenged to be a small part in helping my kids confidently tell all their life stories.

3 comments:

Mom2Amara said...

Ahhhh, CCD.

It's funny. I went through 9 years at a Catholic school and then 4 years at a Catholic college. And I feel I have greater understanding of our faith beacause of it. And not only that, but religious education (including CCD - I taught it for two years) can ground you as a person. It's amazing.

Given your "limited time and resources," it sounds like you are doing a wonderful job with your children. I look forward to reading more in the future!

Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope to see you around!

Princess said...

I've never had any Catholic education except when I attended mass with my big sister. I've never attended a bible study group, either, but I feel so secure in my faith that no amount of enticement from my friends who've gone somewhere else (if you get what I mean) could make me doubt Catholicism.
Reading your posts convince me that you are a good father and that you are doing a super job of it. Keep it up!!!

Anonymous said...

good for you! i attended a catholic school from kindergarten till senior year in highschool, and i felt that i didn't know enough. our eldest is at a catholic school now and i try to learn the faith as he does as well. i pretty much know the basics, it's the more important questions that get in the way.