Forming Our Youth: Fortitude

Forming Our Youth:
a Marriage-Building Parish Building Block

We must form young people in the beliefs and virtues necessary for healthy relationships. > Read more about this building block

As part of the Marriage Building Parish initiative, the Catholic Family Institute, with permission from Four Court Press LTD, will feature excerpts from Mr. Isaac’s book each month in the bulletin and on this blog.



Character Building: A Guide for Parents and Teachers by David Isaacs

In his book, Mr. Isaacs explores twenty-four virtues we should develop to have more “self-mastery and better serve others,” abilities we all hope our children will have.  Recognizing that the example we set leaves a more lasting impression on our children than the words we say, each chapter includes a description of a virtue and a series of questions that help assess how well you are living that virtue and how well you are helping to develop the virtue in children/students.

The second virtue discussed is Fortitude (or Courage).

Having fortitude or courage means that a person resists harmful influences, withstands difficulties and strives to act positively to overcome obstacles and undertake great deeds. It is daily choosing right over wrong and overcoming fear, foolishness and indifference to do good for others and society at large.

A truly courageous person must:

• Move beyond selfishness to love and serve others and constantly work to surpass his/her personal best to yield more as a way to give glory to God.
• Accept what happens to him/her in a sportsmanlike way and try to find the positive in the most disagreeable situations.
• Be able to put up with discomfort and deprivation without complaint.
• Be willing to attempt something even if it is difficult or arduous.
• Show initiative and try to be a part of the solution rather than just complaining about the problem.

Answer the following questions and discuss your reflections with a spouse/friend.

Do I Practice Fortitude?

• Do I try to overcome laziness, routine and blind imitation of others by thinking for myself, in light of Church teaching, about what is really "right?"
• Do I make an effort to carry out everyday chores carefully and lovingly and always do my "best" at even the most mundane of tasks?
• Do I complain frequently about personal discomfort, difficulties and the world around me?

Do I Teach Others to Practice Fortitude?

• Do I help the children discover what "good" means in each circumstance?
• Do I try to get the children to solve their own problems?
• Do I help the children gradually face up to things that scare them?
• Do I look for ways for the children to become enthusiastic and take initiative about a worthwhile project and to see it through despite difficulties?
• Do I encourage and provide activities for the children that require physical effort?

Please share your thoughts and comments.

Praying for Marriage with Kirk Cameron (video)

Male Purity: an SJE Testimonial

I Am Many Things...A Testimonial on Purity

I am many things… I am blessed to be a very happily married husband and father. I am a working professional with graduate degrees. I am an active parishioner at SJE. And I am a recovering pornography addict. However, with the help of God’s grace, the support and prayers of my wife and the Men in Christ ministry, I am now healing.

For many men, this temptation is seemingly impossible to overcome. But nothing, even this addiction, is impossible to overcome or conquer with the help of God, the sacraments, family, and others. The first step in my experience is most importantly admitting to self, God, and spouse (that was by far the hardest), that you have an addiction. Next is seeking help from whatever and whomever it takes. The Men in Christ ministry of St. John the Evangelist parish is a confidential group of men who help others that are struggling with this addiction while healing themselves.

Job 31:1 – “I have made a covenant with my eyes…” This is the motto of an internet filtering (and accountability) service. Having accountability to others, whether they are your spouse, deacon, or fellow church members is crucial. Several internet filtering services provide not only “blocking” of pornographic materials, but also regularly send e-mail summaries of “what your eyes have been seeing” to your accountability partner(s). From personal experience, this option was and continues to be invaluable to help me overcome this addiction.

“...God does not expect you to make that climb from the bottom of this dark pit on your own. He will stand at the top of the pit with His hand stretched down to you, helping you up and welcoming you when you reach the top again. ” St. Joseph, pray for us and help me become the husband, father, and son that God knows I can be and my family deserves.

Yes, I am many things…. now I am becoming a new creation in Christ who strengthens me! - anonymous SJE parishioner

Learn more about SJE's Men in Christ ministry and how they can help you live a life of purity.

Reflections from Father Maletta

Father Maletta on the Sanctity of Life (10/5/2008 Respect Life Sunday)

"...Never have we seen such abusive criticism directed towards those who believe that life begins at conception and ends with natural death.  In the public forum today, if you speak a pro-life message you are immediately targeted and characterized as some kind of nut and extremist.  So this pro-life Sunday becomes more important than ever before.

But as Catholics, we should not be surprised by the developments.  Forty years ago, when Pope Paul VI issued the encyclical Humanae Vitae, which was uniformly criticized, put aside, late night TV comedians made fun of it, it became the but of many jokes.  But in that encyclical, the Pope predicted that the widespread use of artificial contraceptives would lead to an increase in marital infidelity, lessen the regard for women, and a general lowering of moral standards, especially among the young.  Now we look at this 40 years later and social scientists, not necessarily Catholics, attest to the accuracy of his predictions.  As if we were following some bizarre script.  The sexual revolution has produced widespread marital breakdown.  Actually, 52% of all marriages end in divorce.  Think about that.  More marriages fail than succeed these days.  And the statistics do no change when you look at Catholic marriages versus other marriages.  The same exact statistics apply.  And when the family breaks down, all kinds of other things happen..."
Listen to the full homily

> Learn more about God's plan for marriage and family:  Natural Family Planning.  Visit SJE's NFP Network for more information.

> Find help for hurting marriages with Retrouvaille...a Lifeline for Married Couples  Local weekends are held 5-6 times per year as well as hundreds of locations worldwide.