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MFP 286: Learning to Love by Being Loved

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Release Date: 05/27/2024

MPF 314: Seasons of Prayer for Parents show art MPF 314: Seasons of Prayer for Parents

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. I mean do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage” - St. Francis deSales   Summary What God asks of us as parents is beyond our ability.  We are all in need of God’s grace and that comes through prayer! Now, before you think, “I do not have time for prayer….” take a pause and listen to this episode.  First, remember, we have been there! We had 3 kids under 3, 7 kids under 10 and then 10 under 16!  We know that the crazy pace of life can make us feel like we can never...

info_outline MPF 313: Surviving the Holidays with Grace show art MPF 313: Surviving the Holidays with Grace

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Kids will not always remember what you say, they will remember how they felt.     Summary We have talked about the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s being the “Momolympics”, a time when there are tons of things to buy, make, prepare, plan, and basically the happiness of your children all depends on you (at least we feel that way!) How can parents embrace the holidays with children with grace and excitement?  How can we keep in mind what is truly important for our family?  In this episode we give some principles, but also LOTS of practical advice as we look...

info_outline MPF 312: The Well Ordered Family show art MPF 312: The Well Ordered Family

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Graces can flow into your home when nature is in its proper place.  - Connor Gallagher, The Well-Ordered Family   Summary Do you yearn for more order and clarity within your family? Is the chaos and busyness of modern life unsettling the harmony of your household? In this podcast, we interview Conor Gallagher, CEO of multiple businesses and father of sixteen, to talk to him about a transformative system that will restore peace and joy in your household.  We love using business principles to improve family life, and in the Well-Ordered Family, Conor does just that!  Join us...

info_outline MFP 311: Family Roots - Mike's Irish Experience show art MFP 311: Family Roots - Mike's Irish Experience

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

In this episode, we dive into the beauty and power of family history. Mike shares the incredible story of his journey to Ireland—a dream rooted in a deep love for his heritage and a promise to pass it on to his children. From the ruins of his grandfather’s cottage to the windswept cliffs of the Aran Islands, the trip becomes a testament to the importance of staying connected to the past while building a legacy for the future. As we reflect on the stories of those who came before us, we’re reminded of the sacrifices and struggles that shaped who we are today. Alicia and Mike discuss how...

info_outline MPF 310: Marriage, Teamwork, and Business - an interview with Dan and Brenda Vansteenburg show art MPF 310: Marriage, Teamwork, and Business - an interview with Dan and Brenda Vansteenburg

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“Guided and strengthened by God’s grace, husband and wife advance their own perfection… and contribute jointly to the glory of God” ~ Gaudium et Spes   Summary You should never marry someone with the idea that you can change them, but we do need to help our spouses become the best version of themselves.  We all should have a vision, a belief that our spouse can be amazing and then work with them for their good.  In this podcast, we hear the inspiring story of Dan and Brenda - a couple from two different families, faith backgrounds, and life philosophies. Though they were...

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Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Show me your checkbook and your datebook and I will show you what you value   Summary So much of what we talk about on this podcast really hits home when it comes to how we spend our time.  Family dinner, date nights, prayer time, even mass comes down to making time to do it.  Four things determine how we run our lives and our family - talent, money, energy and time. Every one has different amounts of energy and talent and money, but we all have the same amount of time!  How we use it is what matters.  In this podcast we discuss how to evaluate the activities in our...

info_outline MPF 308: The Power of Asking for Forgiveness show art MPF 308: The Power of Asking for Forgiveness

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“Genuine humility never disturbs the soul.  Rather it is accompanied by peace, joy and calm” St. Theresa of Avila   Summary What is the biggest problem in Catholic marriages?  Although we appreciate good communication tools, marriage insights, and mentors - at the end of the day the biggest problem is simply a lack of holiness.  One essential tool in our quest for holiness is learning how to ask for forgiveness.  When we have conflict in our home, we all need to ask ourselves the question - what could I have done differently?  When we take ownership in this...

info_outline MFP 307: Navigating Family Life Challenges: Q&A with Real-Life Struggles and Faith-Filled Solutions show art MFP 307: Navigating Family Life Challenges: Q&A with Real-Life Struggles and Faith-Filled Solutions

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

In this special Q&A episode, we dive into some of the most heartfelt questions from our listeners. From the complex question of whether to expand the family to grappling with grief, boundaries in marriage, and integrating elderly parents into a household, these issues strike at the core of family life. We also tackle how to balance the call to evangelize in a world that often conflicts with our values—especially when raising children in today’s cultural climate. Join us as we explore these tough topics with compassion, real-life insights, and guidance for finding peace, strength, and...

info_outline MFP 306: What Teens/Tweens Really Need with Mark Hart show art MFP 306: What Teens/Tweens Really Need with Mark Hart

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“It’s important that we remember to talk ‘to’ our kids, not ‘at’ them” - Mark Hart   Summary Parents are rightly concerned today about the influence of the culture on their teens.  As much as we would like to put our kids in a teflon bubble to shield them from the false fake culture of the world, it is just not possible!  What do our kids need from us to prepare them for life?  Join us in this podcast for a conversation with Mark Hart of Lifeteen - a speaker, author, and parent himself of teens and adult children.  Mark gives us some great insights (and...

info_outline MPF 305: Should You Correct Your Spouse? show art MPF 305: Should You Correct Your Spouse?

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a mansion with a quarrelsome wife.  Proverbs 25:24 Summary All of us do things that annoy our spouse.  Occasionally, we do things that hurt our spouse and vice versa.  How do we communicate about these situations?  Is it effective to tell them what they have done wrong?  Is that what the scriptures tell us to do?  In this episode, we discuss what it means to take “extreme ownership” of our own actions and emotions before trying to “fix” your spouse.  We believe that the key to a strong...

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The most important challenge you can take 


What does it take to be a great parent and have a joyful family? We think it all boils down to three essential elements. We have turned these three elements into the Play and Pray Challenge!  More than ever, we need to celebrate the love of Jesus in the month of June, because it is HIS love and lordship that will truly fulfill all our deepest longings!  What is the challenge? In the month of June do these three things with your family -  Organize and execute an amazing FAMILY DAY, plan and go on a DATE NIGHT, and proclaim Jesus Christ as the KING OF THE HOME by placing the image of the Sacred Heart in their house and “enthroning” Him as King.  We want to make this a fun and rewarding experience for families, so we have created some resources to help you out. Go to our website messyfamilyproject.org/challenge to get our Play and Pray Challenge Kit.  There are even promo materials for you to put up at your parish or school!  

Get the free download and let us know your family is taking the challenge - https://messyfamilyproject.org/challenge/

 

Related podcast episode: 

MFP 091: King of the Home - https://messyfamilyproject.org/mfp-091-king-of-the-home/

 MFP 257: How to Change Your Heart  - https://messyfamilyproject.org/mfp-257-how-to-change-your-heart-lessons-from-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/



Key takeaways:

  1. One of the greatest assets we have in parenting is the ability to choose how we spend our time.  Protect your yes with 1,000 no’s

  2. Your children need to be known and loved by you. Joy must be alive in your home.

  3. Your marriage gives you the grace to be a parent. So invest deeply in your marriage!

  4. Devotion to the Sacred heart is a game changer for families

  5. If you want to pray with your kids you need to play with them.  



Couple Discussion

  1. How do we waste time with our kids?  How do we lavish love on them?

  2. What brings joy to the hearts of our children? How can we do more of that? 

  3. What is my understanding of the love of Jesus flowing from His Sacred Heart?  How can I express this love to my children?