Just Parenting provides a framework for discussion around the intersections of parenting, faith and social justice from the perspective of parents touched by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola through Jesuit schools, parishes, and other organizations.
"I think God has given us a whole bunch of LEGO pieces, and we’re being invited to imagine something new—and then commissioned to build it."
An old-school game of M.A.S.H. serves as a reminder of the power of the stories we tell, particularly as parents guiding our children to imagine, tell, and live their authentic stories.
The restrictions in place in many places around the world all come down to putting what’s best for society over and beyond personal freedom. We are asked to put ourselves second and to put others first. Isn’t that what parenting calls for on a daily basis?
There are two sides to teaching children creation care: dealing with the damage and reveling in the joy.
The baseline family values of trust and compassion have scriptural parallels: When someone calls out for help, another person is there to answer. So, does any single argument in favor of ripping families apart withstand Gospel scrutiny?
Vocal, Spirit-filled and courageous women model faith for us today as parents trying to live in justice, mercy, and peace—including Renee Buettner. I am grateful that my daughters could hear the collective witness of this woman of faith.
Our children have a remarkable ability to call our attention to details outside (or long forgotten) from our perspective.
Listening to voices from the margins can direct our hearts, our future, our dreams—calling us to conversion.
Allison Reynolds-Berry reflects on how her time at Casa de la Solidaridad in El Salvador has played a formative role in her career, marriage, and motherhood.
"I must be able to go back into that detention center, to be able to look those mothers full in their eyes and promise them that I did not look away."
If we want transformational change, we must see parallels in Black Lives Matter & the Sanctuary movement, gun violence in schools & communities of color.
"I hope my sons will know gardening’s greatest lesson: our waste, problems, and loss can all be composted into the energy that brings next year’s harvest."
There are powerful voices from the generation coming of age today—a generation that has lost or feared for their own and their peers’ lives.
"My husband and I found out we were expecting in March of this year. However, we wondered what type of world our child would enter."
What’s keeping us as parents from practicing this type of hospitality culture with our children, our loved ones, our neighbors, the strangers among us?
Jesus was not afraid to confront injustice. Racial justice will come when we raise our children to understand that they should not accept injustice, either.
Summertime's change of pace is an opportune time to form the minds and hearts of our children through sharing favorite stories.
The very reason I felt a pull to join my neighbors in sponsoring a refugee family was to set an example of love, kindness, and inclusivity for my daughter.
I’m engaging in difficult service for those who it is often the most challenging to be my servant-self to… the people who I see daily and can easily overlook, the people who test me most intimately, the people who accept me no matter what.
The other day, Anna asked without prompt, “How long is Donald Trump going to be our President? He isn’t being nice.” Barring any impeachment or extraordinary circumstance, most likely 4 years. And that is when it hit me, Anna is only 3 ½ and her sister Ella, 3 months. Four years will be more than half of Anna’s life, and all of Ella’s life, during which they will be exposed to authoritarian-style governance.
As I scrolled through the article that reported President Trump's anti-immigrant and anti-refugee executive order had gone into effect and people were being detained at John F. Kennedy airport, I felt heavy with horror and despair. It's a quiet-making feeling, despair.
Holiday carols, properly heard, can rightly be counted among the “resistance literature” that is our Christmas narrative.
You must keep your feet active, so when the opportunity presents itself, you are ready to move into and through the challenge at hand. The worthy waiter is active and attentive, not passive and distracted.
As people of faith, we are called to stand as a counter-sign to the world. And during the Christmas rush, part of that means setting up some good old-fashioned, value-driven limits in a season that can feel like a rollercoaster gone haywire.
Each year I assume (or hope . . . or pray!) that it will be THE YEAR. The year that our family will slide into Advent in a calm, organized, thoughtful manner.
When we can invite the unknown in, we are able to build and see each other as people, as being connected—and it is much harder to lead with fear.
Let’s do our best during this season to remind ourselves, our children, our families, that God seeks to know what it’s like to be human. Both the dark, and the light, of that reality.
This year, in the spirit of the Magi, I will view my resolutions through the lens of generosity. Kinder, gentler resolutions for what I hope and pray will be a kinder, gentler, more peaceful year.
Just Books: Anthony Giancatarino recommends, "How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down," illustrating overcoming injustice is possible, especially when we act together.
As I stepped off a tiny airplane onto a wet...
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Lu is a Campus Minister at Canisius College.
Anthony is a fellow working at the intersection of community, racial justice, and a new energy economy.
Michael is co-coordinator of the Catholic Committee of Appalachia (CCA) and is completing a dissertation in theology.
Niki is associate professor of religious studies and interdisciplinary studies at the University of Mount Union.
Alyssa works with children, youth, and families at an urban Episcopal parish.
Carrie is currently pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology.
Sarah is a campus minister at Canisius College.
Dawn works with churches and organizations to promote the spirit and well-being of refugees.
Kelly is communications manager for the Ignatian Solidarity Network.
