Have you been asked ‘why?’ by your child, and wondered how can I answer that?  Or maybe I just don’t have the tools or the background to be able to explain it. 

This year, we would like to help you, as parents, grandparents, and guardians to help facilitate and navigate difficult conversations on issues currently facing youth and the cultural influence which seeks to form one’s conscience that might come up from your child.  Our goal is to arm you with tools to explain the core principles behind the beliefs and provide developmentally appropriate ways to speak to your children about these topics.

We will hold these gatherings once a month in the Church from 6 to 7 pm.  We will provide childcare for those that need it, so all may be able to attend.  The only thing that we will ask is that you let us know by the Tuesday before so preparations can be made for childcare.  Sign up below or call the School Office at (603) 622-1711

October 7: God and Church – How do I know that God exists? Why do I have to go to church? - How do I broaden the conversation on living our Catholic faith beyond “because I said so” or “because it’s the right thing to do”? What are ways to make Mass more meaningful and help grow my child’s faith beyond weekly Mass attendance? How can we live our faith as a family and not simply see it as a mandatory obligation? How do I keep my child involved in their faith beyond the obligatory sacramental preparation? ~ Led by Fr. Chris Martel

November 4: Technology, internet and Social Media and Our Children – How do we deal with technology in the home? All kids are on social media; how do I avoid caving to the pressure of what other families allow without my child being socially alienated? What is an appropriate age for my child to have different forms of technology (tablet, gaming system, tech watch, cell phone, social media accounts)? How do I limit and monitor its influence in my child’s life? Why should I be aware of when allowing my child to enter the world of social media and the internet? ~ Led by Fr. Chris Martel

December 2: Gender Theory, Part I - objective truth versus personal truth, human equality, and the diversity of male and female, physiological and psychological identity/differences, the family as an institution ~ Led by Derick Alexandre

January 6: School Curriculum - Should critical race theory, BLM/1619 project curriculum be taught in schools? If not, how should the issue of race, equality and human dignity be addressed in school? How do I help my child differentiate between the BLM movement and all humans made in the image and likeness of God? ~ Led by Derick Alexandre

February 3: Science and Faith - Do science and faith contradict one another? How can questions of science be answered by people of faith? How does one respond to the “personal truth” of others when it contradicts objective truth? Led by Deacon Ed Munz

March 10: Gender Theory, Part II - understanding human sexuality from a Christian perspective, is it possible to alter gender, is it possible to become the reality of that which you identify with, how should I speak with my children about people they encounter who are transgender, gay, etc.? Led by Deacon Ed Munz

April 7: Suffering and Death – Why is there suffering in the world, if God is good?  Where is Heaven? Hell? Purgatory?  Should I shield my child from the death of a loved one? How young is too young?  Led by Fr. Chris Martel

May 5: Discipline - My child is out of control, what to do?  Models of discipline within in the house.  Led by Norine Calvano