Center for Family Care
September 19, 2018
The loss of a loved one—whether a parent, a spouse, a child or a good friend—can be one of the most devastating and painful experiences in life. It is an unavoidable reality that all of us will experience at some point in our life’s journey. As the old saying goes, time heals. Yet my observation through the years is that time itself is not the solution. Read More
Center for Family Care
September 14, 2018
The Orthodox Faith contains within it a rich visual, aural and tactile world for both children and adults to explore. Our worship services are incredibly layered; they weave Scripture and song together into the dance of liturgy. Our iconography plays a key role in this liturgy by facilitating worship and revealing the basic principles of our Faith. Icons are a visual expression of our theology, bringing to life the hagiography of the saints and preaching the Gospel to all ages. Growing our children’s visual literacy and understanding of faith using icons is a powerful tool at our disposal. Read More
Center for Family Care
August 21, 2018
This summer we have explored some of the characteristics that allow us the grace to serve as witnesses of our faith. Take some time to reflect on what you have gained from the 2018 version of Soak Up the SON through writings or images. This summer we have explored some of the characteristics that allow us the grace to serve as witnesses of our faith. Take some time to reflect on what you have gained from the 2018 version of Soak Up the SON through writings or images. Read More
Center for Family Care
August 20, 2018
On September 1, we celebrate the Ecclesiastical (Church) New Year. This day has also been set aside by the Ecumenical Patriarch as a special day of Protection for the Environment. During prayers this week, read Psalm 103 (104), which is read at the beginning of Vespers. Read More
Center for Family Care
August 11, 2018
How often do I sit at the feet of our Lord and attend to His every word? How can I expect to keep Him as my life’s center if I don’t really take time to focus on Him daily? I may say I don’t have time, but the fact is I am just disoriented—crashing into all sorts of things instead of focusing on God. Does this sound familiar? Read More
Center for Family Care
August 11, 2018
The word prosphoron (in the plural, prosphora) is translated from its Greek origin as “offering” and, as such, is a fitting name for the bread we bring to church for the Divine Liturgy. The making of prosphora in our homes is an opportunity for families to gather and participate in the life of the Church in a meaningful way. Read More
Center for Family Care
August 10, 2018
Although we can never be children again, Jesus is calling us to cultivate childlike qualities in our relationship with God. Think for a moment about how you relate with God. As you reflect on your connection with God, in what ways are you still trusting, honest with your feelings, inquisitive, joyful, and pure of heart? Read More
Center for Family Care
August 6, 2018
The significance of an Orthodox Christian’s regular participation in the sacrament of Holy Communion cannot be overstated. Having received the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are mystically united to Him and one another. It is only God Who makes us worthy of such a wondrous gift. In His great mercy, we approach the chalice with fear, faith, and love—fully committed to lead holy, transfigured lives. Read More
Center for Family Care
July 30, 2018
This week, on August 1, we enter the fasting period for the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15). This is an appropriate time to explore the virtue of compassion exemplified by the “Panagia,” the Mother of our God. Add the following troparion from the Small Paraklesis service to your family’s prayer time this week. If you’re able, learn to chant it: https://www.goarch.org/-/learn-to-chant-paraklesis. Read More
Center for Family Care
July 25, 2018
Instead of the interview we usually suggest, this week it’s time for a conversation. We’d like for you to to talk among yourselves as a family about truth. While the depth of the discussion will likely differ as it corresponds to the age of your children, it can still be fruitful when adapting the conversation in an appropriate manner. Read More
Center for Family Care
July 23, 2018
As the month of July expires, our attention turns to the two-week fasting period (August 1–14) preceding the final great feast day of the ecclesiastical year, the Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15). At this time, it is customary for Orthodox Christian communities to gather and alternately pray the small and great Paraklesis (supplication) services to the Theotokos on most evenings during the fast. Read More
Center for Family Care
July 22, 2018
This week we would like you to pray for your parents every day during your family or individual prayer time. You can pray with words from your heart, or you can use the following prayer. Read More
Center for Family Care
July 16, 2018
This week, we want you to find images that convey “sacrifice” to create a collage in your journal. You can use magazines, online images (as a family), or even take pictures of your own. As you work, always keep in mind the ultimate sacrifice—Christ accepting death on the Cross for our sins! Read More
Center for Family Care
July 11, 2018
Welcome back, families! We will focus the next two weeks on love and sacrifice and the role they play in our “going forth.” Add the following portion from Psalm 136 to your family prayers this week. Read More
Center for Family Care
July 9, 2018
Over the centuries, much has been said and written about the Jesus Prayer. And with good reason! In a concise manner, praying “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (or one of its variations) helps us to follow the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to “pray without ceasing” Read More
Center for Family Care
July 2, 2018
It’s interview time! This week we would like you to interview two faithful people with different life vocations. A vocation is your calling—this can be a formal job or an informal one. Take notes, snap pictures, or even make a video—whatever you and the person interviewed are comfortable with. Read More
Center for Family Care
June 26, 2018
As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, let’s remember to include our government officials—local, state, and national—and the members of our armed forces in our prayers. Regardless of our political affiliations and philosophies, we should ask God to work in the lives of those who govern and serve our country. Happy Fourth of July! Read More
Center for Family Care
June 25, 2018
Welcome back, families! We will focus the next two weeks on our God-given talents and the role they play in our “going forth.” Add the following passage from Psalm 34 to your family prayers this week. Read More
Center for Family Care
June 20, 2018
We are focusing this summer on our calling to “go forth” as apostles. This isn’t an invitation for a select few; we are all called to live in, and share, the light of Christ. The following prayer for missionaries has been adapted in order to help in discerning how God might send us out to the world as His witnesses. As we continue our journey, add the following to your family’s prayer time this week. Read More
Center for Family Care
June 16, 2018
IT’S SUMMER! We bask in this wonderful time for family, friends, relaxing, and fun. It's a time for vacations from work and school. But there is one vacation we shouldn’t consider this summer—and that is from Church. Church should be the center of our lives throughout the year, and summer is no exception! So join us this summer as we #soakuptheSON. Read More
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