Safe At Home
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Every Home a Safe HavenEvery home a safe haven… that is the goal of Safe Haven Sunday, a movement inspired by the United States’ Bishops 2015 Pastoral Response to Pornography, Create in Me a Clean Heart. The US Bishops recognize that the impact of pornography is far reaching. In the words of Archbishop Charles Chaput, “Pornography is a problem and is causing great confusion in our culture, marriages, homes and faith communities. Children are the most vulnerable; their brains are still developing and are most impressionable.”
The statistics are staggering - nine out of ten boys and six out of ten girls are exposed to pornography by age eighteen, with an average age of first exposure at eleven or twelve. Unlike other threats to our children, exposure to pornography often occurs close to home. The multi-billion-dollar pornography industry targets young people through the devices they use every day by purchasing ads on apps made for kids; in direct communications through spam, social media, and video games; and by masquerading as a kid-friendly sites. In a 2016 survey of male Catholic high school students, more than 70% reported viewing pornography more than once a week, while only 11% endorsed the response, “I do not view pornography.” Eighty-one percent accessed pornography through their smart phone or tablet. Most (82%) viewed pornography within their home (61% in their bedroom).
What’s a parent to do? How do we ensure that our homes are the safe havens that we intend for them to be? The weekend of Sunday, March 5, 2023, the Diocese of Grand Island, and other dioceses across the country are partnering with Covenant Eyes to empower parents in safeguarding their children. At participating parishes parents and other caregivers will receive a copy of Equipped: Smart Catholic Parenting in a Sexualized World, a resource which gives parents a Catholic framework to form, guide, and protect their children. Join us at weekend Masses to pray together in support of parents, the protection of youth, and the building of safe havens within every domestic church.
Find more information about Safe Haven Sunday here. -
Parenting in a Pandemic
The mere announcement of a possible COVID-19 pandemic triggered fear and anxiety for many of our children. School cancellations and retrictions on every day activities that isolate families from their faith community have the potential to either reinforce these fears or to foster growth. Our parenting during this stressful time can provide an opportunity for our children to see first hand just how committed we are to their well-being and protection, as well as an opportunity to practice new ways of connecting with and caring for others. Social distancing is difficult for us, as we were created for relationship and are drawn to be in communion with others. Parenting in a pandemic requires that we find ways to calm our children's anxiety and foster healthy connections with others, while still protecting them from potential harm.
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