Four poems that can help us teach our kids about God

Posted by Teresa Coda on Apr 26, 2021 1:02:13 PM

During my daughter’s early weeks of life, I started to read her poetry as I fed her. I’d like to say it was because I knew she found the sound of my voice soothing, or because I hoped to instill in her a love of literature from an early age or because I believe that vocabulary formation begins in these first, tender weeks. These things may all be true, but that’s not why I fill her sweet little ears with metered verse. No, I read her poetry to pass the time.

Read More

Topics: children, poetry, parenting

Eucharist Means Thanksgiving

Posted by Leonard J. DeLorenzo on Nov 25, 2020 11:01:00 AM

We at the McGrath Institute for Church Life want to observe and celebrate Thanksgiving in a special way. On our radio show and podcast, Church Life Today, we shared five passages about the Eucharist and thanksgiving, with reflections to guide us into rediscovering how an exchange of thanksgiving occurs in the Sacrament of Sacraments. We know, of course, that the holiday Thanksgiving is not itself about the Eucharist. But this civic holiday is probably the closest in character to our religious holidays, and all the more because it is a feast dedicated to giving thanks. For those who revere and adore the Eucharist, we know that being transformed by that particular and unique “thanksgiving” should shape and transform our entire lives.

Read More

Topics: communion, communion of saints, Eucharist, liturgy, contemplative prayer, poetry, Thanksgiving, Church Life Today

"As Kingfishers Catch Fire" Hopkins and the grace-filled life

Posted by Elizabeth Tomasek on Jul 5, 2019 7:00:00 AM

I first encountered “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” in a homily. While I don’t fully remember the homily itself, this poem has stayed with me ever since—enough that I even bought a book of Hopkins’ poems. I keep coming back to it because it helps me to recall and envision the grace-filled life that God desires for me.

Read More

Topics: poetry, sacraments

An uplifting poem for the Feast of the Visitation

Posted by Sarah O'Brien on May 31, 2019 7:00:00 AM

A few days after last year’s Feast of the Visitation, I started working on this poem. I had recently come across a villanelle (a form of poetry that’s a bit like a puzzle, definitely structured but not too strict) and wanted to try writing one myself. I looked back at it today and was surprised how much I liked it—enough to share it, I guess.

Read More

Topics: Mary, poetry

Four poems that can help us teach our kids about God

Posted by Teresa Coda on Apr 4, 2019 7:03:00 AM

During my daughter’s early weeks of life, I started to read her poetry as I fed her. I’d like to say it was because I knew she found the sound of my voice soothing, or because I hoped to instill in her a love of literature from an early age or because I believe that vocabulary formation begins in these first, tender weeks. These things may all be true, but that’s not why I fill her sweet little ears with metered verse. No, I read her poetry to pass the time.

Read More

Topics: children, poetry, parenting

Living and Handing on the Faith

The McGrath Institute Blog helps Catholics live and hand on their faith in Jesus Christ, especially in the family, home and parish, and cultivates and inspires everyday leaders to live out the fullness and richness of their faith in the simple, little ways that make up Church life.

Connect with us!

Subscribe Here

Most Popular

Posts by Tag

See all