Catholic Faith Refresher Course

Part 2: The Duties of Parents Toward Their Children

Part 3: The Duties to Civil Authority, the Pope, Bishops and Pastors

THE LOVE OF SONS FOR THEIR MOTHER

A poor widow, who had been deprived of the use of her limbs, felt a deep regret from not being able to attend Mass on Sundays. When each Sunday came around, she would always say to her sons, "What happiness would I have if I could attend Mass today! But I cannot go. The road is long and I am too old and infirm." On a certain Sunday, as she said these words, she broke down in tears. She fingered her Rosary and kissed the crucifix attached to it with much love and devotion.

As the events of this story took place before easy forms of transportation were available to most people, the widow's two sons felt deep sorrow at seeing their mother so afflicted. In order to satisfy the mother's wishes, they attached two long poles to her chair and prepared to carry her in that fashion down the road to the church. As they started down the road, people stopped along the way to admire the love of these two sons for their mother. They even cast flowers along the path the two sons would walk along.

The pastor of the church was equally moved. He took for the theme of his sermon the words of Deuteronomy: "Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord hath commanded thee." His words were inspiring as he compared the flowers cast on the path of the two sons as they carried their mother to church to the tremendous blessings God would soon shower down on them for their expression of love and devotion. They are a model for all children in the respect and love they should show their parents.

THE DUTIES OF PARENTS TOWARD THEIR CHILDREN

"Bring them up in the discipline and correction of the Lord." (Eph 6:4)

DIRECTIONS TO THE STUDENT

The very first purpose of marriage is the birth and raising of children by giving them a proper character formation. It is necessary therefore, to give adults who are about to enter the Catholic Church an instruction which emphasizes their obligation before God to provide for the religious and moral education of their children, especially in our modern age when religion and morality in families is neglected.

A.  PARENTS HAVE A GRAVE OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE NECESSARY FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHEL TER FOR THEIR CHILDREN

Both parents are obliged to provide for the healthy development of the child’s body. A mother fails in her duty by not preparing good, wholesome food for the children, by feeding the family irregularly, by not providing warm clothes and a neat, clean home. A father sins by not providing the money for a decent home and good food. Men who spend large amounts of their pay on gambling or alcohol or in other ways not connected with the good order of the home commit serious sin because they deprive the family of the necessities of life.

Parents must face the raising of a family as a Christian obligation that requires much sacrifice. They must give themselves for their children, and thus obtain joy of soul both here and in eternity.

B. PARENTS ARE OBLIGED TO GIVE THEIR CHILDREN GOOD EXAMPLE

Example is the greatest teacher. Children are the greatest imitators. They will imitate their parents more than they will the priests and sisters of your parish. Parents must keep out of the child's life any example that will be harmful.

Lying, bad language, uncharitableness, immodesty, drunkenness must be avoided.

They must lead the child to a life of virtue by giving good example in prayer, attendance at Mass, frequent reception of the Sacraments, abstinence from meat on Friday ,love of Our Lord, love of Our Blessed Mother, and respect for the Catholic Church, her priests and sisters.

C. PARENTS ARE OBLIGED TO PROVIDE A GOOD CATHOLIC HOME FOR THEIR CHILDREN

Keep out of the home modern pagan attitudes and practices -indecent pictures and calendars, sexy, sensational, or cheap magazines, books and comic books. Keep out of the home dangerously immoral, perverse or suggestive radio and television shows, video movies and music.

A Catholic home is one in which God and religion are of the greatest importance. Christian decency in word and action should in conspicuous places in the home. Prayer should be the ordinary practice in the home. No Catholic school can make up for an irreligious, pagan or careless home.

D. PARENTS ARE OBLIGED TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN TO PRAY

Parents should not only teach their children to pray, but should lead them in prayer. Daily prayers should be said by the whole family together. The parents should bring the children to religious exercises in the parish church.

The family Rosary should be said together. Prayers before and after meals should not be neglected. Parents should see to it that the children say their morning and evening prayers, too.

E. PARENTS ARE OBLIGED TO SEE THAT THEIR CHILDREN RECEIVE THE SACRAMENTS

Parents must see to it that their children receive God's grace through the Sacraments. Babies should be baptized a week or two after birth. Neglect of the Baptism of an infant is also a serious sin. Be careful in choosing Godparents for your children. Godparents must be not only Catholics, but good Catholics, capable of giving your children excellent Catholic example and of providing for their religious training if you die.

See to it that your child makes his first Confession and receives first Holy Communion at the age of seven, when the priest and his teachers feel he is ready. Go with your child to the parish Church for Confession frequently. (Weekly, if possible) Encourage the practice of weekly Communion for all the members of your family.

When the child is about eleven years of age and when the priest and his teachers feel he is ready, he should receive the Sacrament of Confirmation from the bishop.

Teach the child the necessity of having the priest bring the Sacraments to your home when a member of the family is sick.

F. PARENTS ARE OBLIGED TO PROVIDE A RELIGIOUS AND MORAL EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN

"Parents are under a grave obligation to see to the religious and moral education of their children." (Catholic Church Canon Law# 1113) Both the law of nature and the law of the Church teach parents their obligation to raise their children in the fear and love of Almighty God. In their younger years the habits of children are formed by the religious training given by the Catholic home and the Catholic school. This training should not be endangered or lost by attendance at a secular high school or college. Education in a secular high school or college very often leads to indifference about religion and the duties of religion. too often to the total loss of the Catholic Faith.

G. PARENTS ARE OBLIGED TO PREPARE THE CHILDREN FOR MARRIAGE

Attitudes on marriage are Conned in people when they are quite young. Children should learn of the obligations and joys of the Christian home and Christian marriage from the example of their parents. Parents should teach their children the sacredness of the marriage bond, the purpose of marriage, the impossibility of divorce. Parents should warn their children of the false teachings of the world on marriage and the unhappiness that comes from following the world instead of following God and the Church in these matters.

The father should teach his son the simple facts of sex, the mother should teach the daughter. This teaching should be given in a beautiful and correct manner always suited to the age and mental development of the child, never shocking him or embarrassing him by the manner in which it is discussed, but always giving correct information. Otherwise your children will learn the facts of generation in an incorrect and even sinful manner from their companions.

H. PARENTS ARE OBLIGED TO SEE THAT THEIR CHILDREN ASSOCIATE WITH GOOD COMPANIONS

As far as possible children should be encouraged to choose their companions from among other good Catholic families. Constant association with children of non-Catholic families partially destroys the good influence of the Catholic home and the Catholic school. Easy-going religious attitudes and false ideas on life can readily be gained from non-Catholic children.

I. PARENTS ARE OBLIGED TO SEE THAT THEIR CHILDREN HAVE DECENT RECREATION

Wholesome outdoor recreation and good companions should always be encouraged. Many forms of recreation are dangerous to children today: many movies and videos. and a great number of radio. television and music programs. Catholic books, radio, television and videos should be encouraged at home.

J. PARENTS ARE OBLIGED TO SEE THAT THEIR CHILDREN RESPECT AND OBEY THE CIVIL AUTHORITES

Teach your children to respect and obey the civil authorities. Avoid carping criticism of civil officials before the children. Teach them to respect the laws of our country .Teach them respect for the authority of all civil officials. Differences of political opinions should be kept to a minimum around the younger children. However .be sure to raise them in a proper understanding of correct political ideals, putting them in perspective with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

K. HELPING THE CHILD TO BE A PRIEST, RELIGIOUS BROTHER OR SISTER

To have a priest, brother or sister in the family is considered one of the greatest honors among Catholics. If one of your children seems to show a desire to enter the religious life in the Catholic Church, encourage him and direct him according to the advice given you by your parish priest. To dissuade a child from such a holy and happy life is wrong on the part of the parent.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW OF THIS LESSON

1. What are the duties of parents toward their children?

2. How important is it to teach children to pray?

3. What influence should a parent have on their children's vocations?

4. Why should parents provide their children a good Catholic home to live in?

A JUST RETRIBUTION

A certain father, who led a sinful and scandalous life, had a son who followed his father's bad example. The father was drunken and degraded; the son was willful, passionate and rebellious. One day when the father reproached his son for his undutiful conduct, the son seized his father by the hair of his head and threw him to the ground. From there he dragged him to the door of the house. There the father raised his voice and said, "Stop, wretched son. When I was your age I never dragged my father farther than this."

In the words of the father he acknowledged the truth of the adage, "Like father, like son." The Justice of God allowed the son to treat his father just as that man had treated his father.

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THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT - PART 3

THE DUTIES TO CIVIL AUTHORITY, THE POPE, BISHOP AND PASTORS

"Obey your prelates and be subject to them." (Hebrews 13:17)

DIRECTIONS TO THE STUDENT

To be a good Catholic and a good citizen, you must understand what is meant both by the authority of the Catholic Church and by the authority of the civil government. The authority of the Catholic Church will keep you in the way of salvation. Unfortunately, non-Catholics do not understand the meaning of" church authority ." But you must understand it. Today men are losing their respect and obedience to all authority, especially civil authority. But you must respect and obey civil authority, not because this authority pleases you and because you agree with everything that is done, but because this authority is from God. It is generally a sin to disobey.

A. DUTIES TO THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES

All authority is from God. God is the Author of civil authority just as He is the Author of parental authority. We cannot today live good, decent lives and save our immortal souls without civil authority to rule us. Think what confusion and chaos we would have without public officials, policemen, judges, and so forth. Today many people say that every public official and every policeman, for example, is "crooked." This attitude is unjust, sinful, false, and dangerous to our American way of life, and an offense against God. Even though there may be scandals regarding some politicians, we cannot jump to the assumption that all public representatives are bad.

You have a moral obligation to respect and obey the authorities of the city, state and federal governments. When the officials of these governments act within their power, it is a sin to show disrespect and disobedience.

You must love your country , your state, and your city. You do this by helping the officials strive for material prosperity for all, for public health and education, for sound Christian morality and social justice. You must pay your taxes as an expense to run the government, vote for and pray for the rulers of the city, state and federal government. Voting is an important duty as a citizen that should not be taken lightly especially when certain candidates or issues present a moral obligation to vote for their defeat. Do not speak cynically about public officials, especially before your children.

B. DUTIES TO THE AUTHORITIES IN THE CHURCH -INTRODUCTION

The Catholic Church was set up by God Himself and has authority from Jesus Christ. It does not accept you into the Church as a member until you are well instructed. Then, before Christ Himself, before your pastor you take a Profession of Faith. In the Profession of Faith you make known that you are placing yourself under the authority of the Catholic Church. This authority is possessed by the Pope, the bishops, and by your pastor. In matters of religion, you must obey them under pain of sin. The Catholic Church is not like any Protestant Church, we Catholics know we must obey the Church in matters of religion even if we do not like the command given. At the same time we Catholics know that the Pope, the bishop, and the pastor will not give us any unreasonable orders, because all these act in the person and in the manner of Jesus Christ Who was most kind to all He met.

C. DUTIES TO THE POPE

The Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is the real successor of St. Peter; he is the representative of Christ on earth. By showing love, reverence and obedience to the Pope, we show love, reverence and obedience to Jesus Christ Himself, because the Pope is Christ’s representative on earth. If you wish to love, reverence and obey the Pope, follow herein the example of your parish priest.

When the Pope as the head of God’s Church declares to the whole world some teaching of Christ, we must accept that teaching without hesitation. Even when the Pope does not command us under obedience, but only advises us, as when he speaks to private groups, we should accept this advice and live according to it at least out of reverence and respect.

D. DUTIES TO THE BISHOP

The bishop is a real successor of the Apostles; he has the same general powers and duties as the twelve Apostles had when they ruled. From God's Church he has received the powers to make laws and regulations in his diocese to help us on the road to eternal salvation. If the bishop did not lay down any laws to direct us, he would be neglecting his duty. We must obey his laws and directions just as if one of the Apostles had given them to us.

E. DUTIES TO THE PASTOR

God Himself commands us in the Bible: "Obey your prelates and be subject to them. For they watch as being to render an account of your soul." (Hebrews 13:17)

From the bishop, the successor of the Apostles, your pastor receives the power and duty to rule his parish. You call your pastor "Father"; and you owe him the obedience of a loving child. You must obey the pastor in all that concerns the good of his parish. To do otherwise would be a sin. Good Catholics show their reverence for the God-given authority and power of priests by respecting them in speech and action, by avoiding gossip about priests and by praying for them.