Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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mom2mpr
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Posted: July 01 2009 at 8:17am | IP Logged Quote mom2mpr
My 11 year old is having such a hard time with church. Prayer, mass, talking about what Jesus would do, anything religious he gets angry and balks. The other night he took down his crucifix over his bed and his letter from God on the wall (tore my heart out).
It is really hurting me as I know he has a good heart. Something is eating at him. He isn't opening up though I do know he is having some issues believing.
I feel like I have lost him. He used to be open to discussion and ask questions.
Has anyone dealt with this? Do you back off? I don't want to push stuff down him and totally turn him off. I am thinking the youth group at church might help--but maybe not and once we take that plunge....
Anne
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jdostalik
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Posted: July 01 2009 at 8:42am | IP Logged Quote jdostalik
I will pray for your son, Anne. I know I am preaching to the choir, but each child must inculcate his faith and make it his own. Some have a harder struggle than others...but I have found that those who struggle harder, questioning and wondering about their faith, eventually become the strongest defenders and ardent believers!

Does your son have Catholic homeschool friends his age? Perhaps, the youth group might help, especially if he could attend with a friend whom you know and trust.   Our limited experience with youth group activities has been good because we have our daughters attend with their Catholic homeschooling friends...Our youth group is now "bomabarded" with a solid core of homeschoolers! The kids love the social atmosphere and they are together learning more about their faith--win, win!

Praying for you Anne! Hugs!

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Jennifer in TX
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anitamarie
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Posted: July 01 2009 at 2:05pm | IP Logged Quote anitamarie
Do you have a good priest or deacon friend he can talk to? Maybe a seminarian. Someone besides Mom and Dad. Recently my ds told me at Mass that he didn't feel like he was close to God anymore, and that he couldn't get much out of it, not even the Eucharist. Something along those lines. I told him that it was time to go to confession then, because sin can get in the way. We went. He felt like his faith returned. It sounds like something deeper is going on with your son, but if he is open to confession maybe an appt. with the priest might help. Prayers to you. This is hardest on Mom.

God Bless,

Anita
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mom2mpr
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Posted: July 01 2009 at 2:46pm | IP Logged Quote mom2mpr
Jennifer, Most of our homeschool friends don't want to put their kids in a youth group. They have heard awful things and have seen kids get caught up in other stuff. I guess I could say our families have our own youth group--with younger kids tagging along But, I was thinking of something with our parish. More kids, more activities, a step out into the world, through the church. I might just have to do it and be there, get VERY involved.
Anita, I was just talking to ds about talking to a priest and going to confession--he hasn't been since his first. That was a job. We barely made it in time for his FHC. He has a problem admitting he does anything wrong. He is a good kid, just afraid to admit he makes mistakes. I might just make an appointment with the priest to talk. Would I stay? Hmmmmmm....
Thanks for your ideas, ladies..
Anne
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Michaela
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Posted: July 01 2009 at 4:23pm | IP Logged Quote Michaela
mom2mpr wrote:
I might just make an appointment with the priest to talk. Would I stay?


I don't recall if it was my suggestion or my son's request, but my son speaks to Father alone. I usually take my younger children to the church library to wait, then Father will walk ds over to us.
If your son does decide he'd like to speak with your priest, ask him if he'd like you to stay or wait.

Praying for your son and your mommy heart.

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