LIFE

SCHOOL SHOOTING

Recently, the school year started with the unfortunate incident of a school shooting at Perry Hall High School. Our prayers are extended to all those who have been impacted by this incident.

For many of us as parents, this offers us an opportunity to discuss safety with our young people. As always, we should look to moments like this to listen to our young people, inviting them to share their concerns and fears. We also must make every effort to let our kids know how adults are always mindful of their safety and security. The school and community responded quickly to protect the students.

Young people need to be reminded to share their own concerns about safety. The expression “If you see something, say something” is an important reminder in times like these.

Meanwhile, we all share in the prayer of the Psalmist: Deliver me, Lord, from the wicked; preserve me from the violent, from those who plan evil in their hearts, who stir up conflicts every day. (140:2-3)

http://www.kidspeace.org/naturaldisasters.aspx

http://www.kidspeace.org/uploadedFiles/SchoolShooting_Langman.pdf

LIFE IN THE FAMILY

GET SOME SLEEP

With many demands on time for young people today, there is still an important need for them to actually get adequate sleep. In the long run, cramming late night for an exam may not be worth the overall impact on a young person’s sleep.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/08/22/159435167/high-school-daze-the-perils-of-sacrificing-sleep-for-late-night-studying

TIME WITH THE KIDS

It certainly might seem like young people want to spend less and less time with parents… Recent studies have indicated the benefits of when parents, especially fathers, spend time alone with their teenagers. It can have an impact on their self-esteem as kids reported they felt better about themselves.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/08/21/teens-benefit-by-spending-more-time-with-parents

PRAYER

As first days of school become days of first homework assignments, tests, and other challenges, consider adding this prayer into your families’ routine.

http://www.churchyear.net/prayer/prayerforschool.html

Additional family resources can be found at http://www.archbalt.org/family-life/marriage-family/family-spirituality.cfm

LIFE IN THE MEDIA

MOVIES

The top movies recently have included The Expendables 2 and the most recent addition to the Bourne series – both of which are violent storylines. If, by all chance, however, you have not seen this summer’s latest Batman – The Dark Knight Rises, may we recommend that you consider it? While it also has violent overtones, and a PG-13 rating, the hero makes sacrificial choices on behalf of others.

Father Robert Barron offers some insights that might prompt a deeper conversation regarding the movie with your young people. http://www.wordonfire.org/WOF-TV/Commentaries-New/Fr-Barron-comments-on-The-Dark-Knight-Rises.aspx

The movie contains frequent and intense action violence, including gunplay, an implied nonmarital encounter, a few uses of profanity and some crass terms. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. Please check out all movie reviews at http://www.catholicnews.com/movies.htm

MUSIC

The number one song on the Billboard charts recently has been Taylor Swift’s We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. Clearly, it is a break-up song, but one that occurs after a few break-ups and reconciliations. The lyrics include: I used to think, that we, were forever ever ever. And I used to say never say never. Huh, he calls me up and he’s like, I still love you. And I’m like, I’m just, I mean this is exhausting, you know, We are never getting back together, like ever.”

http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/taylor_swift/we_are_never_ever_getting_back_together.html

This song could prompt a discussion about how healthy relationships don’t necessarily “forgive and forget,” as much as forgive and learn for the future.

TECHNOLOGY

In many families, digital devices provide convenient ways for kids and grown-ups to keep in touch with one another about plans and schedules. However, unsupervised technology use can also open a world of temptation and misinformation on topics such as drugs, sex, and other risky behaviors Check out these tips:

http://www.theantidrug.com/advice/teens-today/teens-and-technology/parent-tips.aspx

YOUTH CONFERENCE

The Baltimore Youth Catholic Conference is coming soon. A weekend away in Ocean City, the conference features prayer and liturgy; a nationally recognized keynote speaker, Steve Angrisano; workshop topics on how to live out one’s faith, and some time on the beach and boardwalk.

http://www.archbalt.org/youth-young-adult/youth-programs/youth-catholic-conference.cfm

The Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry provides a parent newsletter allowing space for parish youth ministers or high school campus ministers to add additional materials and lay claim tio the content as their own or in collaboration with us.  You are invited to do the same.