Timeless Encounters: Sharing the Faith with the Next Generation

Carol Sbordon Bannon reveals how setting aside time to be alone with God is the only legacy a mother needs to pass on to her children and granchildren.

Today, few families spend time reading aloud or even simply talking to one another. Texts, emojis, YouTube, TikTok, and ever-present iPads dominate our communication. While convenient, these digital tools can't replace the power of face-to-face conversations, especially when it comes to building meaningful connections. 

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Ask, and you shall receive.” But my adult children rarely ask for anything. When I text them a photo of something I think they’d like, most times I get no reply — and if I do, it’s usually a polite “no.” They’re true minimalists. If something’s no longer needed, it’s donated, recycled, or tossed.

But something beautiful happened recently during a Weekend at Papa’s. My grandchildren came to visit, and I asked them to help me deliver donations to our church’s thrift store. To my surprise and delight, they were enchanted. 

“Gramma, this is so cool! Can I have it?” my 9-year-old granddaughter asked, holding the porcelain First Communion doll her aunt once received. Of course, I said yes. Her sister discovered a rosary bracelet — missing the crucifix — and asked to keep it. They were both drawn to a picture of a guardian angel holding a little girl's hand. Before I knew it, half my donations had found new homes, tucked lovingly into the girls' suitcases. 

At first, I’ll admit I felt a little hurt that their parents hadn’t responded to my texts the way I’d hoped. But seeing the awe and joy in my grandchildren’s eyes made something click. I realized I had already given my daughters the most important gift a mother could offer: my love for God and my Catholic faith. And now, through their parenting, my grandchildren are being taught to embrace that same love. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his only son. (John 3:16) 

God Always Responds When We Reach Out

If we find it hard to say no to a heartfelt, in-person request from someone we love, how much more will God — Who loves us infinitely — respond when we reach out to Him personally? 

God doesn’t respond to texts, emojis, or TikToks. We must teach our loved ones to connect with Him directly. Every generation faces unique challenges in their faith journey. While memorized prayers have great value, we must also show that personal, face-to-face encounters with God are not only possible, they’re life-changing. 

Today’s world moves fast. Information updates by the second: on phones, online, in endless messages. But God doesn’t “pop up.” He waits for us to pop in. 

He waits for us in the Blessed Sacrament: during Mass, in the monstrance at Adoration, and in every parish tabernacle. 

The Holy Eucharist fills us with His grace and offers a rare moment of stillness: a time to speak to Him, heart to heart. In Adoration, we encounter God one-on-one. These quiet moments are where we come to understand: God already knows what we need … before we even ask. 

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) 

Nothing compares to the peace found in the presence of Our Lord. 

In this noisy, fast-paced world, I need alone time with God — and I pray my family will come to need it too. A quiet chapel, free of distractions, is my refuge. Sometimes, I sit and cry: tears of sorrow or of joy. Other times, I simply rest, my fears fading, my love for Him growing stronger with every breath. 

God never fails His children. He quiets our anxieties, gives us hope when things feel lost, and always acts in our best interest. 

Through quiet conversation with Him, we learn patience, trust, and acceptance. 

The Lord will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” (Exodus 14:14) 

The Legacy My Family Needs

Family needs evolve. What my family needs from me now, in these so-called “golden years,” isn’t keepsakes or hand-me-downs. What they truly need is a personal relationship with God. They need to smile at the blessings they’ve already received, release their worries, and place their trust fully in Him — no matter what season of life they’re in. 

That is the legacy every mother is called to pass on. 

And that’s the legacy I pray my family will carry with them, as they walk their own path through life. 

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Copyright 2025 Carol Sbordon Bannon
Images: (top, center) copyright 2025 Carol Sbordon Bannon, all rights reserved; (bottom) Canva