Summer recap: Nazareth Family Camp
We have only a few precious days left of our summer vacation. And what a time it has been! Despite my previous whining about how loud it has been, this may have amounted to our best summer yet.
One of the highlights was spending a renewing week at Nazareth Family camp in beautiful Quebec . Although I have previously stated I am not a big fan of "date nights," the principle behind dating one's spouse is perfectly true: one needs to nurture one's marriage for the health of the whole family.
Nazareth camp does that for us.
While the children are babysat for a few hours in the morning, the couples all gather and have discussions about important subjects relating to marriage and family life. It's very energizing for me and Patrick; I see the fruits of this concentrated attention on our marriage almost immediately. We learn from the example of the other families who are there, and we're so inspired by their witness of faith lived out in a practical, down-to-earth way. Suddenly, we remember that's what we have always wanted for ourselves and our children and because we're in vacation mode, our minds are relaxed enough to plot out how we can achieve this for our own domestic church.
When we return to our kids in time for lunch -- a meal we didn't have to prepare ourselves! -- we are happy to enjoy their company, ask them about their morning, take them to the beach, and just enjoy family time.
The wonderful thing is that our children love Nazareth too. The programs they run for the kids are so well done that they have a blast. Every day they participate in drama, sports and Catechism by a group of dedicated volunteers.
Our kids have been excitedly talking about going since about March, and are already planning next year's trip, too.
When I was telling my aunt about our stay there, she was so impressed. She said "what a powerful ministry they have going on there!" And I agree wholeheartedly.
I'm still buoyant with the memories we made there this year.
I can't recommend this enough to other Catholic families!
And just for fun, here's a selfie on our way to Nazareth. Note Patrick trying to block himself out of the picture while driving.
One of the highlights was spending a renewing week at Nazareth Family camp in beautiful Quebec . Although I have previously stated I am not a big fan of "date nights," the principle behind dating one's spouse is perfectly true: one needs to nurture one's marriage for the health of the whole family.
Nazareth camp does that for us.
While the children are babysat for a few hours in the morning, the couples all gather and have discussions about important subjects relating to marriage and family life. It's very energizing for me and Patrick; I see the fruits of this concentrated attention on our marriage almost immediately. We learn from the example of the other families who are there, and we're so inspired by their witness of faith lived out in a practical, down-to-earth way. Suddenly, we remember that's what we have always wanted for ourselves and our children and because we're in vacation mode, our minds are relaxed enough to plot out how we can achieve this for our own domestic church.
When we return to our kids in time for lunch -- a meal we didn't have to prepare ourselves! -- we are happy to enjoy their company, ask them about their morning, take them to the beach, and just enjoy family time.
The wonderful thing is that our children love Nazareth too. The programs they run for the kids are so well done that they have a blast. Every day they participate in drama, sports and Catechism by a group of dedicated volunteers.
Our kids have been excitedly talking about going since about March, and are already planning next year's trip, too.
When I was telling my aunt about our stay there, she was so impressed. She said "what a powerful ministry they have going on there!" And I agree wholeheartedly.
I'm still buoyant with the memories we made there this year.
I can't recommend this enough to other Catholic families!
And just for fun, here's a selfie on our way to Nazareth. Note Patrick trying to block himself out of the picture while driving.
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