Raising Catholic Kids for Their Vocations

A practical guide for parents who want to form their children in the faith.

The mission of every married couple is to generously welcome children as gifts from God…then what?

As any parent knows, raising children is beautiful, exhausting, and often bewildering. And then we have their vocations to think about. It's the job of parents to raise children who are able to cultivate the gift of Faith and really listen to what God is calling them to do with their lives.

While God gives all the grace and faith necessary to follow him, we parents are tasked with fanning the flames. To help our children turn the spark of faith into a fire of love for God.

As parents, we need to make our homes a community of prayer, of service, and of witness within the larger Body of Christ. Making these regular and ongoing practices within the life of their family is the most effective way for parents to form their children in the faith.

Of course, this is not always easy, that's why Claire and John Grabowksi have made this practical guide. This is not high philosophy or deep theology (though it's rooted firmly in Church teaching) but real advice, from real parents who have raised five children.

As parents, it's our job to get our children to heaven, and helping them discern the vocation God is calling them to is one of the most important parts of that job. You don't have to do it alone, with fervent prayer, a close relationship with Christ, and the tested, practical advice in Raising Catholic Kids for Their Vocation, you'll have the tools you need.

Married for 33 years, John and Claire have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. They have done pre-Cana marriage ministry together for some 25 years, post-Cana ministry for 9 years, and served as a member couple from the United States on the Pontifical Council for the family after their appointment by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. Together they are the authors of the commentary on the anniversary edition of Familiaris consortio(Boston: Pauline, 2015), and One Body: A Program of Marriage Formation for the New Evangelization (Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Road Press, 2018). They have spoken together to groups of laity, priests, and bishops across the United States. They are regular guests on Greg and Lisa Popcak's “More to Life” show on EWTN radio.

Claire has been a Catholic educator, stay at home mother, in-home childcare provider, financial administrative assistant, and care-giver and companion to the elderly. She has been a mentor to women and couples and has been active in a variety of lay ministries for many years.

John has taught moral theology at The Catholic University of America for the last 27 years. He has three times been appointed as a theological consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In 2015 he was appointed by Pope Francis to serve as an expert (adiutor) at the Synod of Bishops on the Family. His books include: Sex and Virtue: An Introduction to Sexual Ethics (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2003) and Transformed in Christ: Essays on the Renewal of Moral Theology (Naples, FL: Sapientia Press, 2017); and. A Catechism for Family Life: Insights from Catholic Teaching on Love, Marriage, Sex, and Parenting, Sarah Bartel and John Grabowski, eds (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2018). He also wrote the Foreword to the 1997 English edition of Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body(Pauline, 1997).

Married for 33 years, John and Claire have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. They have done pre-Cana marriage ministry together for some 25 years, post-Cana ministry for 9 years, and served as a member couple from the United States on the Pontifical Council for the family after their appointment by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. Together they are the authors of the commentary on the anniversary edition of Familiaris consortio(Boston: Pauline, 2015), and One Body: A Program of Marriage Formation for the New Evangelization (Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Road Press, 2018). They have spoken together to groups of laity, priests, and bishops across the United States. They are regular guests on Greg and Lisa Popcak's “More to Life” show on EWTN radio.

Claire has been a Catholic educator, stay at home mother, in-home childcare provider, financial administrative assistant, and care-giver and companion to the elderly. She has been a mentor to women and couples and has been active in a variety of lay ministries for many years.

John has taught moral theology at The Catholic University of America for the last 27 years. He has three times been appointed as a theological consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In 2015 he was appointed by Pope Francis to serve as an expert (adiutor) at the Synod of Bishops on the Family. His books include: Sex and Virtue: An Introduction to Sexual Ethics (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2003) and Transformed in Christ: Essays on the Renewal of Moral Theology (Naples, FL: Sapientia Press, 2017); and. A Catechism for Family Life: Insights from Catholic Teaching on Love, Marriage, Sex, and Parenting, Sarah Bartel and John Grabowski, eds (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2018). He also wrote the Foreword to the 1997 English edition of Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body(Pauline, 1997).