How many of us think about our moral code, the set of values and beliefs that we live by. I Heard of a parent recently who sent the child to a Catholic school and then insisted that the child should have nothing to do with with Communion, Confirmation, Prayers or religious activities. So much for the rights of the child! As a nation we have a very ambivalent attitude to morals and values. On the one hand we espouse predominantly Christian beliefs and yet on the other hand, we act in very unchristian ways. There is plenty of evidence that we actually follow the premise of “do as I say not as I do “ when it comes to giving moral direction to children and teenagers. Sadly many parents have become detached from the religious significance of the sacraments and so the focus switches to the secular aspects, purchase of Communion clothes, family celebration (bouncing castles), who to invite and how much money do I give as a present ( to be continued next week).

Parish Notes, St Joseph’s Church (above), Glasthule, Co Dublin

Thanks Brian