“To live without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for truth, that is not living, but existing.” ~ Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
You’ve just survived yet another week of homeschooling – congratulations! Just think, as each week passes, you are one more week closer to the finish line! This is also a good time to think about the holidays that are coming up, the next one being Thanksgiving. What are some things you have to be thankful for? During this time of year, think about offering your studies up for those who do not have the things that you have.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati reminds us that our faith in Christ and His Church is worth fighting for. There will be times in our lives where we will be confronted by people who don’t believe the same things that we do. Some of these people may try to convince us that we cannot be truly free as Catholics, because Catholics have so many rules to follow. At times like these, we must try and be like the Saints, and hold our ground like soldiers for Christ. Our parents gave us life, so we naturally wish to defend them. Through the Church, Christ gives us a new life; therefore, we must defend Him and His Church and be examples to others of the Christian life. Keep the Faith!
 Every Christian must be a living book in which others can read the teaching of the Gospel.
~ St. Joseph of Leonessa
October is over – how the time flies! By now, it’s possible that you’ve lost some of the excitement that you had at the beginning of the school year. Perhaps you dream of having adventures, and feel that studying for a spelling or grammar test is anything but adventurous. However, the great thing about being Catholic is that we are already part of a great adventure! As the Church celebrates All Saints Day and All Souls Day, we are reminded that each of us is part of a giant community filled with heroes, warriors, missionaries, teachers, priests, religious, and martyrs: men and women who gave up their lives for God, who inspired nations, and who taught people to be joyful in the salvation that Christ has won for all men. God uses our smallest sacrifices for His service, which means that when we offer up the little things, we too can become participants in the great adventures of the Saints!
St. Joseph of Leonessa reminds us of how all men are called to live the Gospel. As young people of the 21st century, it may seem a bit odd to try and live according to something which was written 2,000 years ago. During the time of Jesus, people wore different clothes, listened to different music, and there was no such thing as indoor plumbing. However, while the Word of God is unchanging, it is also alive. One of the mysteries and miracles of Scripture is that the truths contained within them applied just as much to the people living at the time it was written as it does to those of us who live thousands of years later. The Scriptures were inspired by the Holy Spirit, Who is eternal. When you prayerfully read the Scriptures, therefore, you know that the Holy Spirit is speaking directly to you, personally. And when you put into action what you have received from the words of the Holy Spirit, you are giving testimony to the Gospel. Let us pray for the grace to receive the words of the Holy Spirit, and the strength to live the Gospel in our daily lives as a witness for others.
 “Monday, Monday, so good to me”…Start the week with a positive attitude and remember we have the greatest assistance we could possibly want: “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26). This verse is so encouraging to both us and to our children! I suggest reading that verse aloud to them this morning, and reminding them that the Spirit is with them. He is teaching them through you, and they can pray to him to help them remember, as promised in this verse. Have a fantastic week y’all!
 PtP tip of the week: “Praise God for the wonderful days when your child has finally gotten through his letters without any errors, the house is vacuumed, and there is laughter…let these days remind you on the other days what a treasure it is to have your family together!” Note: these tips are FROM parents TO parents. We did not write them. The folks in the trenches wrote them, we are just sharing them with you! I can’t believe Thursday has already rolled around again, my favorite day of the week (besides Friday). Enjoy the last two days of your school week, and have a wonderful weekend!
 PtP tip of the week: “Enjoy your kids. Be open to learning yourself. And relax.” Note: these tips are FROM parents TO parents. We did not write them. The folks in the trenches wrote them, we are just sharing them with you! This one is so simple and sweet, but so true! Those three things make all the difference. It’s Thursday, my favorite day of the week (besides Friday). You just have to get through today and tomorrow and then it’s the weekend! You can do it!
 Happy Monday! We hope you all had a wonderfully relaxing weekend. As you begin your school week, remember that when you are educating your children you are following Jesus’ instruction: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). Keep building up the kingdom of heaven!
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