Conference  To Focus On How Parenting Is Supported By The Sacraments

OKLAHOMA CITY —  Parenting has been referred to as the toughest job you’ll ever love.  And while there are hundreds, if not thousands of parenting guide books, promising to give all the answers a parent will ever need, there really isn’t a Catholic parenting model.

Or is there?

“Sacramental Parenting- Keeping Our Children Catholic” is the theme of a parenting conference to be held April 29 at the Catholic Pastoral Center.  George Rigazzi, director of the Office of Family Life will lead the conference along with Peggy Brown. Brown is the former director of Religious Education at St. Philip Neri Parish in Midwest City. She now works in the ministry of hospice.

The conference will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To register call the Office of Family Life at 405-721-8944. There is no charge, but registration is requested because a free lunch will be provided so it’s important organizers know how much food to prepare.

Rigazzi said the day is designed for parents with children from infants to 12 years old. He said the program will emphasize practical ideas for basic parenting skills while using the sacramental life of the Church as a guide.

Topics will include:

- Family of origin

- Praying as a family

- Manners

- Formation of conscience

- Setting healthy boundaries

- Healthy Competition

- Examples of self-sacrifice

- Lessons on suffering and death

Rigazzi said Catholic parents are blessed with the gifts of the sacraments which can create incredible parenting tools based on faith and love. The conference will feature plenty of time for questions and answers.