6 Tips for Parents of Teenagers

On Sunday, December 30, 2012, Fr. Gary had some words of wisdom with parents (specifically parents of teenagers) in his homily. You can watch the homily here or make note of his 6 tips for parents here:

Parents: When it’s not easy, there are several things to remember: 

1. Don’t freak out (panic) when it happens in your family.  It even happened in Jesus’ family. 
2. Please try to not take it personally. It is not. They are doing their work. (Remember: something is wrong if your kids aren’t pushing back in their adolescents, not if they are!) 
3. Keep a sense of humor. Help each other remember to laugh. 
4. Keep boundaries that are healthy.  But maybe check them out with somebody else you trust in case too strict or too loose.
5. Do the inner letting go that enables you to say "they are not me!" They are not me and they should not be. 
6. Make sure the kids know that no matter what, you are committed to them…  and that nothing will ever break that commitment. 

Your children may bring you all kinds of heartaches, particularly during these adolescent years, but they need to know that your love is constant in their lives.  They need to know they will never cease to be your son or daughter. 

The Mother’s Lament at the Slaughter of the Innocents

Why are you tearing
Away to his doom
The child of my caring
The fruit of my womb
Till nine months were o’er
His burden I bore
Then his pretty lips pressed
The glad milk from my breast
And my whole heart he filled
And my whole life he thrilled

All my strength dies
My tongue speechless lies
Darkened are my eyes!
His breath was the breath of me
His death is the death of me.

But slay me, even me,
And let my boy be.
A mother’s most hapless
My bosom is sapless,
Mine eyes one tearful river,
My frame one fearful shiver,
My husband sonless ever,
And I a sonless wife
To live a death in life.

Mass from Dec. 23 - Jan. 6

The CSC will only have 11:00 am Mass on December 23, December 30, and January 6. The 9:00 pm Mass will resume on January 13.

Christmas Eve Mass will be at 4:00 at Graham Chapel and 10:30 at the CSC.

There is no Christmas Day Mass at the CSC.

The CSC will be technically "closed" over the break, but staff will be in and out. If you need to speak with a specific staff member, we recommend e-mailing them over the break.

Last Weekday Masses and Dollar Dinner

This week marks the last Tuesday 5:15 Mass and the last Friday 12:05 Mass of the semester. Come join us!

Also, Catholic Student Union is hosting their annual Dollar Dinner for students looking for a cheap (but delicious) meal and a break from their studies this Wednesday, December 10, from 5:30-7:00 in the CSC social hall.

First Corinthians 13

FIRST CORINTHIANS 13 [CHRISTMAS VERSION]

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime:
but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen carol in the nursing home,
and give all that I have to charity;  but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata
but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love does not envy another's home
that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return; but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things, and
endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break,
pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust;
but giving the gift of love will endure.

Author: Sharon Jaynes

Taken from Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas