The Catholic Parent: A Miniseries on Formed.org

Connie Anderson reviews a six-part miniseries designed to encourage parents as they strive to raise their children in the Faith.

I knew within the first 60 seconds of The Catholic Parent’s well-produced video trailer I wanted to review the Augustine Institute’s six-part mini-series, developed in collaboration with Catholic Sprouts. Although Catholic Mom’s website has sections dedicated to Parenting, Sunday Gospel Activities, and Resources that enrich family life and help parents persevere, many of us are not so well informed.

I confess that I have often failed to see and befriend “Jesus in distressing disguise” in our sometimes-messy domestic churches. One harried mom featured in the trailer says, “Going with our children to Mass is like playing Whac-a-Mole.” I was hooked after seeing the follow-up visuals of the parents laughing and hearing the audio of frenzied violins.

The variety of families is a delight, ranging in racial and ethnic diversity, and physical, mental, and emotional abilities, from a rambunctious family of seven to a peaceful family of two, headed by a single mom. While some are visibly more stressed than others, all the parents exemplify the widely differing realities of twenty-first-century family life.

The six episodes, found on Formed.org, cover Our Sunday Obligation (Episode 1), Confession (Episode 2), Family Prayer (Episode 3), Sacrifice (Episode 4), Generosity (Episode 5), and Handing on the Faith (Episode 6). Each program is divided into four segments, which expand and reinforce the video lesson.

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The set-up for each episode focuses on families’ real-life experience of the topic covered. What is striking to a Baby Boomer like me is that both parents are active in their children's lives, most notably teaching them how to pray (Episode 3) and how to act in church during Mass (Episode 1). While the father of one peacefully holds his quiet toddler during Mass, the father of seven must firmly teach his reluctant son to fold his hands. Although these situations differ, both dads are involved in shaping their children’s faith.

The episodes emphasize that practicing the Faith doesn’t require a family to have perfect knowledge, just the willingness, humility, and humor to learn and grow. One brave mom admitted it wasn’t until she attended her child’s Reconciliation training that she learned the correct opening words, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.”

The teaching segment features Fr. John Nepil, St.D., Sr. Rachel Marie, O.P., and Sr. Igweilo, O.P., who give thoughtful guidance from a solid Catholic perspective. I’m grateful a priest and two nuns have the role of teachers of the Faith. I pray the parents who view this series are motivated by their friendly leadership and encourage priestly and religious vocations among their children.

The third segment centers on examples of parental holiness corresponding with each theme.  The last Emperor and Empress of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Blessed Charles, and his wife, Servant of God Zita, who were deposed after World War I, illustrate “how we help each other get to Heaven.”

St. Augustine of Hippo and his mother, St. Monica, are the role models for the realities of sin, the power of Confession, and the need for parents to pray for their children. Sts. Zelie and Louis Martin, parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, confirm the benefits of family prayer, which Ven. Patrick Peyton vigorously encouraged.

The last three episodes feature St. Gianna Bretta Molla as the dramatic model of sacrificial love;  St. Thomas More as the example of wise stewardship of God-given gifts; and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, America’s first canonized saint, who established Catholic schools to help families educate their children and, most importantly, hand on their Faith.

The final segment returns to the series’ families for wrap-up comments, insights, and heartfelt words of encouragement. Have your hankies ready and prepare to be moved.

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Designed to be watched “with your spouse, with friends, on your own, or as part of a small group,” each episode runs only fifteen to eighteen minutes. A PDF of the attractive, well-thought-out participant guide, ready for download from the series’ program site, has simple questions for group discussion or personal reflection and suggestions for prayer based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the saint or saints featured in each episode, as well as ideas for “living (the video’s teaching) in your own home.” A promotional flyer PDF is also available for download by interested parishes or Catholic groups.

Online streaming membership is required to view the series, via Formed.org or an app, available on most digital devices and smart TVs. Individual Memberships are pricey, $100 annually or $9.99 monthly. However, many parishes and dioceses offer free access to the same programming. To check if your parish or diocese offers free individual memberships, please visit FORMED.org/signup.

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