We have busy lives. Between work, school, family, church, and friends, we tend to segregate these different aspects of our lives as separate and independent blocks that do not coincide with one another. For instance, sometimes going to mass becomes an event for Sunday morning, and it has no connection to the rest of our daily lives. It doesn’t have to be this way though, there are ways of bringing the church into the other aspects of our lives. The Second Vatican Council describes the mass as the source and summit of the Christian life. That doesn’t mean though that the mass is the only opportunity for prayer or to experience God in our lives. The Second Vatican Council also describes the mass as a fount that spills over and touches the events and activities of our lives. Here are a few suggestions of how to bring church into your home and into the rest of your life.
Holy images: The environment around us informs how we think on a daily basis. On the street we are constantly bombarded by advertisements whose images affect how we spend our money. The same is true at home. Let your home be a haven for the holy by displaying crucifixes, icons, a portrait of The Pope, or any other Catholic art that you like and inspires you.
Prayer: We pray together at mass, but many people find the prospect of personal prayer with another person a daunting task, we may be embarrassed because we do not know what to do. But regular prayer with your friends and family can be a great way to sanctify your day. You could start with something like a family rosary, then branch out to incorporate other forms of prayer in your home.
Volunteering: The corporal works of mercy are things that everybody can participate in. Volunteering at church or in the community should be a regular facet of our lives. We donate money in the collection basket at mass, but we should also donate our time as well. There are opportunities at OLM such as the food pantry, through Catholic Charities of Chicago, or through other private or state programs. Christian witness to the poor and marginalized is a key theme of Pope Francis, and the poor need personal attention.
Christian media: Even when we are not directly doing some form of prayer or ministry, we are indirectly being affected by what we consume on our phones and TV. It can be hard to keep our minds on holy things when we consume media that is highly secular or abrasive to church teaching. This might mean taking a break from platforms like TikTok or YouTube and turning to Christian media. The USCCB keeps a list of movies they recommend that are virtuous. Consider bringing more Christian media into your life to keep you on the path to sanctification.
These are merely a few suggestions, but it is a worthy thing to consider how you can sanctify your life by changing the things you do outside of Church. Church is not just one part of our life but touches all the parts of our lives. If you’d like some more suggestions, come talk to me after mass.
Thank you,
Deacon Tim Berryhill
Seminarian (Configuration 4 — Mundelein Seminary)
Archdiocese of Chicago
ChicagoPriest.com