Building Virtue

NFL football players and New York Philharmonic Orchestra members do not happen by accident. 
They spend countless hours learning from others, practicing, failing, and improving. It is a non-stop process.
Living a life of virtue is no different. It takes a lifetime of learning, practicing, and persevering. 
One who pursues virtue is virtuous. One who pursues vice is vicious. Which do you want your child to be? Which do you wish to be?

Remember the simple formula:
Thoughts become actions, which become habits, which become your character, which becomes your destiny.

Picture the life you want your child to have as an adult. Begin today to build those characteritics and virtues that will be necessary.

Remember, the Greek word for "happiness" means "pursuing virtue."
Want you child to be a happy adult?
Teach them to pursue virtue. 

Where do you start? Well, read below, and then here and here!

The Catholic Church has maintained virtue as a foundational teaching since the beginning.
Catechism teaches, 

1804 Human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith. They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life. The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good. The moral virtues are acquired by human effort. They are the fruit and seed of morally good acts; they dispose all the powers of the human being for communion with divine love

Consider the Cardinal Virtues: 
PRUDENCE: "It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.
JUSTICE: " the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor." Honor God, and do unto others as you would have them do to you. (Social Intelligennce)
FORTITUDE: "It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause" (Grit)
TEMPERANCE: "the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will's mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable." (Self-control)

The Catholic Faith is rich in its prayer tradition. 
Prayer is a conversation with the Divine and is essentila for forming ones' conscience and for living a life of Virtue.

Catholic Prayers

The KIPP School is one of the nation's most successful charter school sytems. Serving many children who were considerd "un-schoolable" they have found outstanding results. They do it by focusing on character development. Read Here
KIPP has found that of the over 25 positive traits a person can have, there are seven that are found in the most successful people. Thus, they focus on developing those traits, and you should do that for your child as well. 

Zest- Enthusiastic and energetic participation in life- "Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?" 1 Peter 3:13

Grit- Perseverance and passion for long-term goals- "Stand firm and you will win life." Luke 21:19

Optimism- Confidence in a future full of positive possibilities- "This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." 1 John 5:14

Self-Control-The capacity to regulate one's own responses so they align with short and long-term goals- "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:25

Gratitude- Appreciation for the benefits we receive from others, and the desire to express thanks. - "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18

Social Intelligence- Understanding the feelings of others and adapting actions accordingly- "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12

Curiosity- Eagerness to explore new things with openness- "Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, "What are you seeking?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and you will see." John 1:38-39 

Fasting is a powerful tool as evidenced by Jesus in his 40 Days in the desert to prepare for his ministry. 
Many Catholics find regular fasting, coupled with prayer,  to be a powerful tool. Traditionally, Wednesday and/or Friday are the days of fasting. Bread (with butter, or olive oil, or guacomole) and water are the most stringent approaches. Here are a few more links extolling fasting, and one that allows you to sign up for daily inspiration on fasting:
https://www.catholicgentleman.net/2014/04/spiritual-weapons-fasting/
https://catholicreadings.org/catholic-prayers/fasting-and-prayer-the-power-of-prayer-and-fasting/
 https://www.romancatholicman.com/astrid-bennett-gutierrez-reflects-on-fasting/
Sign Up for Inspiration-
https://stjosephpartners.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=cd0e3cca8b35acb2f50c930e2&id=c9cd1fe8eb

Tips for Living a Holier Life: Daily Gifts to Jesus

Thanks to Patti Armstrong, Father Larry Richards, Deacon Greg Kandra, et al

1. Give a return on your gifts. When using a gift, say a prayer for the giver. For instance, Patti says a Hail Mary for the person who gave her a geranium, every time she waters it. When using clothing or jewelry someone gave to you, say a pray for the giver. Be grateful, always!
2. Commit random acts of prayer. Pick someone to pray for throughout your day. It could be a politician you hear promoting abortion, or if someone cuts you off in traffic. Pray for them, and your anger will subside — and you will both be blessed. Use even menial tasks as offerings of gratitude.
3. Give thanks before every meal. Do it at home, do it at restaurants, do it wherever you are having a meal.
4. See Jesus more often. Make a weekly appointment to visit Jesus in the tabernacle. The more time you spend with Jesus, the more he can give to you. Adoration is time perfectly spent.
5. Bounce-back. As kids we used to say: “I’m rubber, and you’re glue; whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you.” Jesus told us: “The measure with which you measure will be measured back to you” (Matthew 7:10). Be kind. Forgive.
6. Become invisible. Look for invisible ways to do good. Do random acts of kindness. Skip over a parking spot near the door and pray for the one who will park there instead of you. Put away a shopping cart and pray for the one who left it and the next shopper to use it. “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). 
7. Read the Word/Share the Word. Put a Bible somewhere convenient and open it up once a day. Join a local study group such as Walking With Purpose, Fire of Faith or a local men’s group. https://shorecatholics.com/faith-sharing-and-formation
8. Call the manager and praise an employee. When you’ve been given good service, call the manager and report it. It will make that employee’s day. For a bonus, say a prayer for them.  
9. Ask God to arrange your seating and conversations. I know people who have had amazing experiences asking God to direct who we sit next to at events, studies, or on planes and to direct our conversations (even when socially distanced). Try it, and I think you will be surprised.
10. Fasting. Jesus fasted for 40 days before beginning his ministry. To integrate fasting into a daily sacrifice, take something out at meals. Skip the fries or ketchup, or don’t put butter on your bread.  Take a day to give up something like coffee, wearing jewelry or makeup, watching TV, going on social media, or whatever. Of course, a true fasting day is powerful and also recommended. Try one weekly!
11. Enjoy the wait. What do you do while waiting for the microwave or while waiting for someone to answer their phone? Turn inconsequential moments into prayers of consequence. 
12. End your purchase with a surprise. “Thank you and have a good day” is so ordinary that cashiers barely hear it. Try saying, “Thank you, and God bless you” with heartfelt expression. They will hear you.
13. Use sirens and flashing lights as prayer signals. Pray for the person needing the ambulance speeding by and also for whomever is at the end of a police call. For whatever reasons, they could use some extra prayers. 
14. Forget about yourself. Humility leads to holiness. Avoid correcting others if it doesn’t matter. Be last in line. Thank God for failure and ask him to lead you to what he wants for you. 
15. Talk to people no one can see. Get to know the saint of the day and ask him or her to pray for you. Talk to your Guardian Angel.
16. Give away something you love. It’s fine to donate the things you don’t use, but occasionally give away a favorite item. It’s the difference between Cain and Abel’s offerings to God. 
17. Wear a crucifix. It’s a silent witness to Jesus’ love and sacrifice. Wear a scapular, miraculous medal, or a saint’s medal. It may inspire conversation and conversion!
18. Have a no-complaint day. Dedicate an entire day each week to not complaining.
19. Do a house blessing. Ask a priest to bless your house in 2021.
20. Give unexpected gifts. Release someone from a debt, anonymously give a gift card or money to someone on hard times, or send a pizza or baked goods to a police station or to a nursing home or to hospital employees or to a big family. 
21. Spend time in service. Serve the needy, the imprisoned, the homebound, the sick, or the lonely. Work at a food pantry or soup kitchen, shovel a neighbor’s snow, or run errands, or say hello. Send a note and/or Bible to the imprisoned, lonely or hospitalized. Pray for them.
22. Pray at an abortion facility. Pray for the Holy Innocents, for the mothers, for the fathers, for the doctors and nurses and other participants. Pray for healing and the conversion of hearts.
23. Pray the Rosary: The Rosary is our most powerful weapon. Take the time to meditate and reflect on each mystery. Start with one bead, then two, then a decade. You will enjoy the journey. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a great supplement/alternative.
24. Go to Confession. Let Jesus take your burdens! Resolve to be reconciled regularly!
25. Pray with others. Pray with family, friends or strangers. Join us on the 13^th of each month for the Rosary at the Fatima Shrine at St. Catharine’s in Spring Lake.

“Most of all: resolve to have a truly blessed new year — one that is new, focused on growing, learning, hoping. Every page of the calendar is blank. By the grace of God, every day holds promise and possibility. Recall the stirring and hope-filled words from Revelation: “Behold, I make all things new” (21:5).” Deacon Greg Kandra

Be purposeful: Commit to something every day. Tell Jesus your gift to Him that day.