We had seven sons and two daughters over 22 years , homeschooled our last four , worked as an RN part time when I didn’t homeschool .We would do it again in a heartbeat . We have 18 grandchildren , so far . Thank you for your support !,
"Because your life becomes better the more it is a gift to others" - Bishop Barron after being asked why people should consider children. What a beautiful response 👏 ✝️
I wish more Catholic schools would encourage large families by providing significant discounts for families with multiple children enrolled. It's discouraging that I can't afford a Catholic education for any of my children because I have so many, whereas if I had one or two kids I could afford to send them to Catholic school...
If you’re in the Us, there are certainly schools that do provide discounts and in addition, they offer scholarships. You could well afford it if you apply for the scholarships. You can also homeschool!
@Russell Miles I am a father of 2, and am married to a non-Catholic (but beautiful soul 🙂) wife. We have misgivings about some of our Catholic options, and so are happy to send our children to State Primary Schools. Given the often heretical (materially, at least) faith information that comes from Catholic school principals in my area, I'm comfortable with this choice. I would love to see the next Pope take on Catholic Education Reform as one of his main objectives. We've had an Evangelising Pope (JP2), and Teaching Pope (B16) and a Merciful Pope (Francis). Next up needs to be a 'Fix the Catholic institutions' Pope, in my opinion. God bless
@@russellmiles2861 So happy to hear it worked out for your children. Praise God! Education is so much about the individual teachers and administrators. I have seen turnovers in the same school turn it from a total failure into a thriving community and vice versa. That being said, I think in general, most Catholic schools will have an overall less challenging student body than a public school. As one public teacher exclaimed, "We don't get to pick our students. We are expected to teach whatever walks through our doors whether or not they came through yesterday or will come through again tomorrow." IMO there is a self-selection process with Catholic or other private schools that in general tends to result in more involved parents and fewer student issues. Of course, this is a generalization as I stated at the beginning. God Bless!
We have 7 kids and they have been such a gift to us especially now as we age, can’t imagine not having them and the grandkids around,life is full and busy joyful and happy. I thank God everyday for his blessings on our family
I'm expecting my first child at Easter and this was so uplifting. I find that our culture, even Catholics to some extent, has become so negative towards having children and large families in particular. I can't even count the number of people who've told me that my life will be over once this baby is born. If we want to build a culture of life it would be a good idea to start encouraging those who are actually having them
I think a lot of millenials and younger generations don't find the idea of having kids appealing anymore because we ourselves didn't have the best childhoods and don't consider ourselves fit enough to be parents. At least a lot of people I know, and myself, do not want to carry over our own personal trauma down to another generation. Just one perspective.
Also, I find it hard to find the energy and time to make a connection with a mate because I constantly have to move due to unemployment housing, pandemics, the bailouts for the rich and old, the boomer economics. The death. The debt. Get abused by the church. Get abused by the state. Get abused by your family. You used to be able to go to university for like a few hundred dollars and now my cheap cockroach infested apartment is 1300 a month and that's a steal. Making six figures is vaguely middle class. You've got to be really poor or really rich to get the handouts in America. I feel like the church isn't helping. I feel abandoned. But the church wants me to pump out more kids. And put money in the basket. But the priest doesn't have a second job and the bishop lives in a mansion. Am I wrong? Feels 😞 bad.
To have kids is a dream of ours, my husband and I. Married for eight years now. We miscarried four times already for the past three years. We are so so heartbroken. But we pray and we hope 🙏 Please pray for us!
We have 12-seven sons and five daughters. We had a Catholic view of marriage and the body even when we were Protestants. Bringing up children isn’t easy. There is joy and suffering, celebration and defeat. But it is worth every moment. Today my husband and I were out walking with our four youngest, and my husband said, “I’m so glad we still have littles.” I’m 50, and our youngest is five. Kids keep you young and keep you humble. Christ’s command to become as a little child is a lot less abstract when you have children constantly around you from your mid-20s into middle age! 😂❤
I have 4 children and have been a primary caregiver to most of my 13 grandchildren. This really was uplifting! I am probably close to 10, 000 diaper changes. My grandchildren are a blessing and my children are great parents!
Good Bless for being the primary caregiver for your grandchildren. My maternal grandmother sacrificed greatly to take care of two of her grandsons, while dealing with an alcoholic husband. Both boys turned into upstanding adults and my grandfather eventually sobered up.
@@danieltracy7136 your grandmother did a wonderful thing. I just helped my own children out by taking care of the grandchildren while they were at work. All of my children and their spouses are great parents. And my husband is also very supportive.
I love "The Word on Fire Show"! I have watched many of the podcasts over the last several years and always look forward to listening to a new topic. Thank you Brandon and Bishop Barron for the time you take to produce them
Hello. Just one coment on this subject, full disclosure I am father of one kid. One of the may reasons birth rates have gone down is an economic one. One a days is harder to maintain a middle class family.
There’s no better way to describe myself in the past and to describe who I’ve become than through the topic that was carefully, empathetically and intellectually discussed in this Word on Fire episode. I can’t thank you enough!
This is a fascinating conversation! I waited to have children until mid 20’s because I wanted to serve in the military and get a degree. When we finally were “ready”, I had a year of miscarriages: four in total. 😔 I have three children now but just a year ago, I had to have a hysterectomy and I truly grieve we couldn’t have the four I always felt was in my heart. So it goes, God’s plan. I think infertility is a poignant aspect of this whole topic, because at the end of the day, it is God that allows us the children we have. So, if I were to put it into a single argument…it’s better to keep your waiting as minimal as is responsible because babies sometimes don’t come when we are ready for them. In the end, God is wonderful to bless us with the souls we have stewardship of. We homeschool and, because I am the one teaching them, my life is more “abundant” than any career I could have pursued. I’m ever grateful to live in a supportive community that allows us to raise our children this way. And I pray more parents experience this kind of joy! Blessings to all.
God bless yo ou both for your loving concrrn for families. What the world needs is more compassionate people like the two of you. Gratefully, Margret Grizio
I wish that more families would find it in their hearts to adopt and/or foster children! If you want a big family, won’t you please bring these children into your lives and homes! Too many children have no one to love them!
We're on baby 3, all under 4 years and most of the comments we get are either a "helpful" reminder to use protection or some kind of inappropriate joke, as if it's a bad thing to have many kids. In reality, it gets easier and more joyful the more we have 😂 still chaotic but somehow easier
Spot on, BB. I have 4 children, none of whom have any children of their own. I've often thought of how parenthood makes it natural to be selfless and to sacrifice. Our kids will have to be thoughtfully selfless and sacrificial instead.
Really love this show. I love the thoughtfulness and kindness put into it. Praise be to Jesus Christ. Thank you Bishop Barron and Brandon (and all the countless people behind the scenes).
The move from agriculture to urban life has effected the desire, and affordability of having children. With two parents working and the emphasis on financial fixation and the lack of financial support in the US compared to other countries especially Germany, Scandinavia. We make raising children very expensive and laissez faire. We will have more children when we support marriage, families with tax deductions, and family leave time from work. That is just a start however. I am a parent of a large family, 5 children and 4 grandkids. My goal is to enjoy becoming the best grandpa and father to my family.
I needed this today. My husband and I were always ambivalent about children (I was a Baptist before journeying to convert to Catholicism earlier this year), and I thought I'd be fine without them. Well, the first time we didn't prevent, I became pregnant and miscarried at 9 weeks after learning our baby had no heartbeat at our first ultrasound. It changed my entire view on so many things. I now have such a desire to be a mother and pray I am able to again, to successfully bring a child into the world, so long if that's what God wills. Of course children require so much, but those of you who have these wonderful blessings, be thankful for them every day
Being aware of Bishop Barron and The Word on Fire has been the best thing that’s happened to me. You all have raised my level of knowledge and curiosity about faith. I’m more at peace because this awareness has brought me to a deeper relationship with God. Faith is like an onion with its many layers. The more I peel, the deeper and more meaningful the meaning of my life is and yet that relationship is simple. Just as it is said, love, truly love and there’s the answer to everything. Thank you all for your wisdom. 26:50
This was a great topic to cover. I hope our Dioceses will adopt a culture for preparing our children for being Catholic adults. Holding marriage as scared and having a family the ultimate in blessings and selflessness. Our children are our best hope to continue our faith. God Bless Word on Fire🙏
Sydney Australia. average wage 85K - Tax 1/3 - Rent 1/3 - 1/3 Living expenses. Sydney, Australia Average price home 1 million - Interest 70K pa x 30 years - Dual income mandatory, then the second income destroyed by child care to keep the second job, our society has made the economics of the traditional nuclear family impossible and remember your local parish is constrained by these same forces.
Just a quick point of fact. Descartes did have a child who died at an early age, which profoundly impacted him for the remainder of his life. Many blessings for all that you do!
Beautiful show, Your Excellency, Bishop Barron, it moved me to tears... Speaking of Christian Colleges, I was fortunate enough to attend Santa Clara University, in California (about 23 yrs. ago), and the statements some of those girls made, did make me feel queasy... One example, I will never forget, was a girl stayting out loud, during a woman's studies class, that since her parents spent a lot of money for her to attend Santa Clara University, she wants to make sure she doesn't waste it, by having a family first. Her number one priority in life would be her career, of course... I didn't blame her or judge her, back then, but I do remember her almost angry statement, laced with 'greed for money', left me a bit queasy... Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, please have mercy on us sinners! 💘🙏💘
As always, inspiring and educational! How ironic the mention that college alumni magazines almost never spotlight stay-at-home moms, often when the majority of graduated moms do "stay-at-home" to raise their family.
This is a brilliant show. It is so informative and inspirational. The topics and questions are very useful and clearly put by Brendan. I love listening to Bishop Barron. He is so intelligent yet clear, down to earth, straightforward and succinct in his answers. He tells relevant and interesting stories. His voice is pleasant to listen to and I enjoy his humour. I am so grateful to God that I came across World on Fire,( I think it was on account of the covid lockdown!)
I think if this guy was to watch children full time for a month his opinions would be changing real fast. It's unreasonable to ask the younger generation to have children while paying ludicrous housing prices, unaffordable childcare, high food prices, inflated prices for everything else. This is why families are shrinking real fast. But no one wants to admit it because to admit it means you don't have the money to be viewed as 'successful'.
that is the same in every generation. we are always poor when we buy a house, have a single income.... the story never changes. We are in a particular time where we feel it acutely, but I have noticed every time the price of milk goes up. Be brave. God is never outdone in generosity.
@@constancemartin933 I'm only telling the truth. I don't belong where I was born. Hedonists moved to my area a long time ago. They've ruined everything. I'm too poor to escape.
Love your work Bishop Barron, please keep it up and remember my family in your prayers. A few comments on the video: My wife and I are practising Catholics and accept and follow all the teachings of the Church the best we can. But we know so many large Catholic families that are very much crushed by the day to day realities of their large families. (Energy, time, finances, etc.) Most often the wife has to unequally carry the domestic burden since the husband is the sole breadwinner. And often these families project a thin layer of outward joy but you sense and hear about in private how deeply unhappy they are and how much they struggle. I'm overgenralizing here, but that's what we've encountered over and over again. Depression, anxiety, unhappiness, living on the poverty line, husbands that are unsupportive, absent, or abusive. Wives that are at their mental breaking point, older kids being surrogate mothers to the young ones, living in very small homes or rental apartments, etc. They aren't very effective evangelists of what it means to have a big Catholic family and tend to be in traditionalist Catholic camps like the SSPX. The average family home in larger metropolitan areas of Canada costs north of a million dollars. I'm talking a townhouse within 45 minutes of a city core. The state heavily penalizes single income earners for the sake of more female participation in the workforce. Having even a below average suburban lifestyle with a handful of kids is nearly impossible to have on a single income below 150k and a large downpayment for a moderately sized house. Childcare can be over $100 a day. Even a move to smaller towns or more rural areas of the country leaves you with the same generally high cost of living, taxes, and now a lack of local family support, job market access, etc. I think having a large family also needs to be done in such a way that you produce well rounded and virtuous children in the end that are capable of being functional adults. Almost universally, large families my wife and I know end up producing the opposite. Kids that are racked with anxiety and social awkwardness, an inability to get into colleges and universities or start decent careers, or they rebel against the strict religious upbringing that they had once given more exposure to the society they were once insulated from. All to say, there are many reasons other than selfishness that give practising Catholics pause when considering more than 2 or 3 kids in the west. Society itself is not setup to facilitate or support us anymore and our Churches offer little to no guidance outside of marriage prep. We have two young children and are getting near 40. We're in good material shape but we're exhausted and petrified of what would happen if we had more kids right now. Also, a word about NFP when TTA. It sucks... big time. Nobody mentioned that precisely when couples desire sex the most is when you need to abstain from it. But then again the people who taught our marriage prep class were all post menopausal couples who I can almost guarantee you used contraception for the majority of their marriages.
I agree. The cost of living is crushing families. Maybe one help would be if Catholic schools, including universities, would charge a minimal amount for education. I’m from the US and the cost of an education is staggering.
Yes this is the things that gets me about NFP, it requires the woman to commit to a lifetime of having sex when she doesn't want to, and not being able to when she naturally desires to and is in a good mood.
You know, it’s easy to think marriage and raising children is too hard to be worth it, but then you see a parent doing something cute with their kids and suddenly that doesn’t matter anymore, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting kids. Maybe it’s just the paternal side of me emerging in my early 20s, especially from being the oldest sibling, but I realize I don’t have to be different. It’s very comforting knowing countless men have been down the same path I wish to tread. I see what family does to save souls. It will save this civilization. Lord have mercy!
I love listening to your presentations. They are wonderful. I pray the whole will do the same. You are changing the world with evangelizing the culture. Thank God for your doing all that. Thank you very much.
This was a nice and refreshing episode, I would like this topic to be explored further by more popular voices. There are so many objections to overcome in this modern day environment. Common questions usually revolve around contraception, and how low-income households can provide for large families in today’s economic climate and more. It’s good that you’re addressing children in this video!
Life without suffering is unrealistic. Love without suffering is pretentious. To live, and to love without embracing suffering is erroneous. Marriage may be the biggest pain of all. Motherhood, and fatherhood are the most noble purpose under nature's sky, and God's greater plan. Honor your father and mother, and forgive them as you would have them forgive you.
I love the line “God is the sole source for purpose and meaning” However, Children can really test your patience and they can easily make you forget those values. How do you best discipline those strong will children with the set of values?
Let’s consider the whole situation! Yes, have children - children who are wanted! Ensure that the concern is not just for foetuses. Protect the health of all family members, especially those who are pregnant! Remember, too, NOT to conflate miscarriages with abortion! Ensure that legislation does not criminalize the medical profession, either! Then ensure that families have sufficient income and resources to raise their children in a positive manner! As well as legislating proper minimum wages, affordable daycare and affordable housing, make sure that public education is provided at the highest possible standards, uniformly across all of a state and/or territory! And so important - and greatly needed - is the adoption of children who have no one! Foster parents, too, are greatly needed! Check out the numbers of these young souls who have to wait-and wait - and wait to be loved!!!
@@The_Atheist_Carpenter5625 I need to add, the correct spelling of the Anglican priest’s name is Rev. Ed Trevors. I missed the “s”! That was in the reply to you which I don’t see here! In case it never shows up, here the gist of it. I agree with with your remarks! In my country, abortion has been decriminalized across the nation! We have more political parties than does the United States, but the only registered party which has making abortion illegal again in its platform has not been able to elect any candidates since its inception in the mid eighties! In a comment on a previous video of the bishop’s, I told him that abortion was NOT the most important moral issue today! Rather it is Schadenfreude! (Sadly, there is no single English word to define Schadenfreude!) I would suggest that you might truly appreciate the reflections of Anglican priest Rev Ed Trevors of Nova Scotia! He has numerous videos on TH-cam and gets a lot of positive comments from atheists, agnostics and the unchurched!
@@melindaunknown113 With your cancer, are you able to reach out to agencies like the American Cancer Society? It’s not the only one providing services. A friend of mine in NY receives help from the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Foundation for her treatment. I believe that most well known forms of cancer have agencies looking to help victims of these forms of cancer. My country, Canada, provides basic universal health services for all. However, with the Covid pandemic, our healthcare systems are stretched far too thin! Far too many emergency rooms have been closed numerous times. ( I’m fortunate in being able to afford insurance for extra coverage like dental care and pharmaceuticals.)
Most of the young adults whose parents could not afford to help them pay for college education are holding down more than one job just to pay for basic food, clothing, and shelter for themselves. This is also while paying school loan payments which are monthly as high as a second mortgage payment. Some people can’t afford to have large families financially. Also school loan debt does not go away if you marry, both spouses have to carry the debt into the relationship. It became that people wouldn’t even consider a person for marriage if they carried a significant debt. Nobody blamed them either.
Wow do u live in a state of fear. If you r carrying loans as high as a mortgage payment you r nor making wise financial choices and do not know how to budget.
We live in a culture that does not promote families or having children. If fact, just the opposite. Having kids is a personal choice and not everyone is meant to reproduce or wants to. And frankly the reasons why aren’t anybody else’s business. And those posting here they had 10 kids and have 20 grandchildren did it back in the 50’s and 60’s and the culture was vastly different then.
I have 3 children. The importance of raising them well weighs heavy on my mind to the point that I don't want to have anymore children. I want to be very mindful and focused in raising these 3
Thank you Bishop and Brandon. You"re both on point regarding this case for children. I always consider children blessings to their parents. That is why having children requires also that as parents, we should be responsible for the blessings that we are given. I have four responsible children. Praise God.
I am uncomfortable with the suggestion that strong faith equates to large families. And lack of faith equates to no family or small families. Some huge assumptions are being made here. Finances, health and well being of the woman, practicalities of which parent gives up work in order to raise this large family, these are real issues and I am surprised they have not been mentioned. It might have helped to have had a woman in on this discussion.
I agree, it is fine to advocate larger families but it's a bit hollow without recognizing the practical effects and implementation challenges and ignoring the obvious fact that parents often need support.. Parents don't have the soical and mental support to support large families any more, far less for the finances for child care etc etc.
I love this show topic only because it brings me to celebrate the Catholic Social Teaching that our popes have so ardently stressed during the times when fertility was being addressed by those who had fallen away from the faith, consequently resorting to science. Thank you Word on Fire Team and Bishop Barron. I will promise to pray for you when I attend Mass today and along with praying the Liturgy of the Hours and daily Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. If I were to have a family and children, I would make sure these prayers were first and foremost what would need to be completed by the end of a day. Peace and blessings always!
Living in a good family is itself a training ground for marriage and parenting. The discussion/comparison about preparation for the priesthood and preparation for married life and parenthood is not parallel. Especially if the children are immersed in a rich Catholic culture as they grow up.
Thank you, Brandon, and Bishop Barron! I am a single Mother of one. I am also the oldest of a family of seven siblings. My parents are celebrating their 65th wedding Anniversary on Epiphany. I grew up in a big family. I treasure all my siblings all my nieces and nephews, I highly recommend a big family! I treasure family, and I treasure being a Mom. I treasure all the years of joy my son gave to me and others as a child; and now the joy he brings as an adult. I also struggled as a single Mother. So many children are in single parent homes and families these days. I believe every nation should put the family first. I believe single Moms (and Dad's) know deep in their hearts the gift that an intact, healthy family is; by virtue of raising their children without fathers, or without Mothers; and in many cases, raising children alone, without support of extended family, or even a parish family. As the Church moves forward in re-evangelizing, please consider inviting single parents into close union within your parishes. Invite them to walk alongside your two parent families in order to receive love and support. Prayer and acceptance goes a long way. Actually this kind of support can go both ways if allowed to. The children of single family homes need to be provided with a vision that leads them to Christ, and to Christ's healing within their own souls, and relationships. These children and their single Mothers, and their single Fathers, need to see the possibilities. They need to see, and to be given hope for their own futures as parents of families living as God designed for us all. I do not mean that we should foster single parenthood. I do see the threat that single parent families seem to have upon two parent families. And there is the stigma of sin that divorce, or having never been married, or having a child outside of marriage has on a parent, and their child, or children. But I wonder; when a single parent realizes their sin, confesses it, and tries to repent by returning to the Church, to Holy Mass, to Christ, bringing along their children to him too, do Catholic parishioners welcome them? Does the Church welcome them? I mean only to point out the painful truth that single parents are here, in the now, needing Jesus. Many are outside the Church. In their many struggles, they need Jesus to help them. Our current culture has created many broken homes, and relationships. In this current moment in time, is it possible for Catholics to accept and love these Mother's, and Father's and their children? To include them in the healing and renewal process of the Church, and of the family? Can we all walk together with two parent families, towards the goal of 'family' as God envisioned it for us all? Even if we are not there yet? Single parents understand the hardships and struggles of a broken family. This understanding and deep knowledge in the hands of our Merciful God, becomes wisdom and understanding for everyone. With Mercy and kindness, all of our children will know they are valued and loved. And I pray that they will also know that to bring a child into the world requires a Trinity of Love; God, Man, and Woman. Modeled after the Holy Trinity. I pray all children know they are treasured and Loved, especially by God. I pray all children come to know and love their Father in Heaven, our Creator and our Redeemer. I pray their families be healed, and that the future of the family be healed.
I agree with just about everything that was said. The premise of the argument is sound but they completely ignored the fact that we have an economic system that doesn’t allow for the majority individuals to start families and have multiple children. There’s not as many stay at home moms anymore because families can’t survive on a one income household. Both parents have to work. Healthcare is overpriced. Childcare is expensive. The housing market is out of control. Wages haven’t kept up with inflation since the 1980s. Coincidentally that’s probably when we started to see the fertility rate start to fall and has led us to where we are right now present day
In England I have met many many totally lapsed Catholics who are 1 of 7, 8, 9, 10 siblings. These people are all in their 60s, children of Irish immigrants. Their parents didn't contracept,, but they dint pass the faith on either.
I have a baby on the way, however given the state of the church I have reservations on having them baptised into the Catholic church until they are old enough to make that decision on their own. Because of this, and because I am married to a non-Christian in a civil ceremony I have been refused absolution, so can't partake in the sacraments anyway. Given that I'm not about to annul my marriage or force my kid into something as serious as this without their consent that effectively means I'm out of the church too. If the churches approach to these things was a bit more up to date it might be easier to retain and encourage families in the church.
I'm the youngest in my group at work (about 20 people) and tied for the most kids with 3 kids. It's truly sad the things people distract themselves with, whether be it vacations, electronics, work, etc... to avoid the fact that their worldview necessitates that their life has no meaning. Everything is viewed through the lense of the individual seeking to improve his standing and have the best experiences. Godlessness, childlessness, and eventually despair - the track so many millennials and zoomers are on.
@@The_Atheist_Carpenter5625 Atheism (and agnosticism, albeit in a more roundabout way) necessarily results in nihilism. If you're not conscious of this fact then you're either lying to yourself, haven't taken the time to think through your worldview, or some combination therin. Things like "I'm made of star stuff" or "My hobbies make me happy" are just cope. You believe you happened to come into existence and are little more than a bag of water with lots of chemical reactions taking place. Morality is an evolutionary byproduct that benefits the species. Oh, and nothing matters.
If they do have kids it's usually one, maybe two - probably both are adopted, then followed by divorce then remarriage (courthouse or "private ceremony") if not a new "partner" a few years later. Other characteristics: urban lifestyle (LA/SF/NYC or if they're "so done with America" then London/Paris, a fur baby, and "loves traveling & fitness" and is a self-described "foodie" in their bio)
@@TickleMeElmo55 All spot on. The fur babies in my area are often pit bulls and they're always adamant about them being "such a sweet dog". Just about every meme out there is spot on in my area.
My wife and I are catholic and we just have three kids. Having a huge family isn’t for everyone. I respect those that have and want many many kids but at the same time don’t want to be judged for not having a huge family. We have just as many opportunities to be “holy” regardless of how many kids we have.
I remember a study from my college psych class which found that contrary to the conventional wisdom people do not tend to become more conservative with age. The trend is actually for everyone to gradually become more liberal with age, but then rapidly shift to the right every time one becomes a parent or grandparent to an additional child. Those who were liberal as teens to have big families young end up way more conservative than those who were very conservative as teens but never have children.
Could you please talk to the Deacons and priests that tell families like ours not to participate in ministries because we have little kids? Thankfully I know that there are few of these types of Deacons in our beloved church. I'm a Catholic, homeschooling mother of three little ones and it's quite irritating when our "religious" belittle families like mine.
My mom once told me that in the end-times babies were not going to be born. I didn't know how this would happen, but I recently heard of a study which found that the human sperm count is declining worldwide....hmmm
I'm quite poor and have mild mental health issues that I'm scared to have kids. I think a lot of people of my generation are opting not to have kids for similar reasons. Its not selfishness but more about making a logical choice for the wellbeing of the unborn
But we don't just need more children, we need good adults, so this has to be a complete package not just people popping out babies. I think sociology is too blame as to why people don't have kids.
I will trust in God. Even though it’s difficult, I will continue to walk with faith and not by sight. Please pray for me. My husband passed away years ago. I’m a single mother. Both of my sons are autistic, they require a lot from me because they are non verbal. Every month is a struggle. Since I lost my job as a social worker at Forsyth hospital. I lost my job because I declined the vaccine. I declined because of my pre existing health condition lupus, and heart disease. I was denied my medical/religious exemption. I wish I could go back but the mandate is still in place for hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid all employees must have covid 19 vaccine. I get harassed constantly and mocked for sharing my testimony and for asking for prayers but prayers are all I want and I also want to bring awareness of how vaccine mandates are ruining many ppls lives. I’m now waitressing and I’m so thankful but not making nearly enough to get by. I’m tired of struggling putting food on the table it’s so discouraging. But even as I’m put down and harassed because of my situation. I have faith that our Heavenly Father will provide he has THIS FAR! Faith over fear. Please pray for me and my boys! God bless! 🥰
Prayers🙏. So sorry about your husband's passing and your struggles. Your two angels in your home and your love plus your great trust in God will sustain you. Cry out for new graces. I'll remember you.
I'm a very devout Catholic and absolutely love the way that Bishop Barron expresses the principles of our faith. I agree with everything he is saying about kids (being a children's therapist myself). At the same time, I can't help but notice his apparent support for the Republican Party (given his recent interviews with Ben Shapiro & Newt Gingrich). These ideologies make it so difficult for people to want to have children. When daycare is hard to afford, wage gaps increasing by the day, rent prices increasing, and our education failing, how can anyone be optimistic about having children? And these situations are a direct result of policies advanced by the Republican Party. I would advocate to have this in mind when encouraging people to have children but then creating a situation for these children to live in food, housing, and education insecurities.
I don't know why make this about politics, since the Bishop didn't mention anything himself, but really... the democrats literally advocate for the killing of babies. Is that better? Seems like republicans are the lesser of two evils, to say the least.
@@gabriela6584 While Bishop Barron did not explicitly say anything about politics in this episode, when it aired he had recently met with right-wing political figures including Newt Gingrich and Ben Shapiro. I appreciated his distance from politics before then. I would also say that the republicans are not the lesser of two evils. They advocate for guns and capital punishment (killing of people). Not to mention their policies incentivize income inequality, inhumane treatment of immigrants, and taking away services from the most needy.
Parishes like St. Mary on the Hill in Augusta, GA has a stewardship program that allows every Catholic family who participates through time and tithing to receive free school tuition no matter their income level or number of children.
Married couples have the luxury of having as few or as many as they wish, assuming there are no health issues precluding. --Thank God -- married couples are in a position to choose whether or not to have children and do so all the while rightfully ignoring the finger wagging from others, particularly priests, bishops, etc. No individual, no institution has a right to mandate that married couples have children.
If you ask most people about why they don't want to have children the answer is the same most of the time. Most people are very pessimistic about the future.
I can only sympathize! There's pressure from God as well 🙉 But from my personal experience, trusting God has only been a good thing in my life. Who cares about what anyone else says?
Thank you for the video. It was stimulating and enriching. Congratulations Brandon on your new baby! And by the way, do you have any children that are girls? God Bless!
What’s missing in the discussion is the lack of opposition from the church to abortion. Bishop Barron spoke out in it recently. But he feels like a voice in the wilderness of the church. When we diminish the sanctity of life, we inherit the wind.
We had seven sons and two daughters over 22 years , homeschooled our last four , worked as an RN part time when I didn’t homeschool .We would do it again in a heartbeat . We have 18 grandchildren , so far . Thank you for your support !,
"Because your life becomes better the more it is a gift to others" - Bishop Barron after being asked why people should consider children.
What a beautiful response 👏 ✝️
Even priests don't believe that.
Life becomes better my ass. Marriage and kids is a fate worse than death itself.
More like a selfish response really. Church leaders need their followers to have children to better brainwash them.
I wish more Catholic schools would encourage large families by providing significant discounts for families with multiple children enrolled. It's discouraging that I can't afford a Catholic education for any of my children because I have so many, whereas if I had one or two kids I could afford to send them to Catholic school...
Catholic school seems to not stand for anything these days.. Faith is peripheral, students and faculty Christian in name only en masse
What kind of support did the public school offer to provide? I’ve never really looked into this and am curious.
If you’re in the Us, there are certainly schools that do provide discounts and in addition, they offer scholarships. You could well afford it if you apply for the scholarships. You can also homeschool!
@Russell Miles I am a father of 2, and am married to a non-Catholic (but beautiful soul 🙂) wife.
We have misgivings about some of our Catholic options, and so are happy to send our children to State Primary Schools.
Given the often heretical (materially, at least) faith information that comes from Catholic school principals in my area, I'm comfortable with this choice.
I would love to see the next Pope take on Catholic Education Reform as one of his main objectives. We've had an Evangelising Pope (JP2), and Teaching Pope (B16) and a Merciful Pope (Francis). Next up needs to be a 'Fix the Catholic institutions' Pope, in my opinion.
God bless
@@russellmiles2861 So happy to hear it worked out for your children. Praise God! Education is so much about the individual teachers and administrators. I have seen turnovers in the same school turn it from a total failure into a thriving community and vice versa. That being said, I think in general, most Catholic schools will have an overall less challenging student body than a public school. As one public teacher exclaimed, "We don't get to pick our students. We are expected to teach whatever walks through our doors whether or not they came through yesterday or will come through again tomorrow." IMO there is a self-selection process with Catholic or other private schools that in general tends to result in more involved parents and fewer student issues. Of course, this is a generalization as I stated at the beginning. God Bless!
We have 7 kids and they have been such a gift to us especially now as we age, can’t imagine not having them and the grandkids around,life is full and busy joyful and happy. I thank God everyday for his blessings on our family
I'm expecting my first child at Easter and this was so uplifting. I find that our culture, even Catholics to some extent, has become so negative towards having children and large families in particular. I can't even count the number of people who've told me that my life will be over once this baby is born. If we want to build a culture of life it would be a good idea to start encouraging those who are actually having them
I think a lot of millenials and younger generations don't find the idea of having kids appealing anymore because we ourselves didn't have the best childhoods and don't consider ourselves fit enough to be parents. At least a lot of people I know, and myself, do not want to carry over our own personal trauma down to another generation. Just one perspective.
Also, I find it hard to find the energy and time to make a connection with a mate because I constantly have to move due to unemployment housing, pandemics, the bailouts for the rich and old, the boomer economics.
The death. The debt.
Get abused by the church. Get abused by the state. Get abused by your family. You used to be able to go to university for like a few hundred dollars and now my cheap cockroach infested apartment is 1300 a month and that's a steal. Making six figures is vaguely middle class. You've got to be really poor or really rich to get the handouts in America. I feel like the church isn't helping. I feel abandoned. But the church wants me to pump out more kids. And put money in the basket. But the priest doesn't have a second job and the bishop lives in a mansion. Am I wrong? Feels 😞 bad.
To have kids is a dream of ours, my husband and I. Married for eight years now. We miscarried four times already for the past three years. We are so so heartbroken. But we pray and we hope 🙏 Please pray for us!
Will keep you in our prayers
It is God who closes the womb and opens the womb
Increase your red meat a lot and fat
I pray your next pregnancy will end in you both having your first baby! Amen!
you have four intercessors in heaven on your side. And I will pray for you and your husband.
We have 12-seven sons and five daughters. We had a Catholic view of marriage and the body even when we were Protestants. Bringing up children isn’t easy. There is joy and suffering, celebration and defeat. But it is worth every moment. Today my husband and I were out walking with our four youngest, and my husband said, “I’m so glad we still have littles.” I’m 50, and our youngest is five. Kids keep you young and keep you humble. Christ’s command to become as a little child is a lot less abstract when you have children constantly around you from your mid-20s into middle age! 😂❤
I have 4 children and have been a primary caregiver to most of my 13 grandchildren. This really was uplifting! I am probably close to 10, 000 diaper changes. My grandchildren are a blessing and my children are great parents!
Good Bless for being the primary caregiver for your grandchildren.
My maternal grandmother sacrificed greatly to take care of two of her grandsons, while dealing with an alcoholic husband. Both boys turned into upstanding adults and my grandfather eventually sobered up.
@@danieltracy7136 your grandmother did a wonderful thing. I just helped my own children out by taking care of the grandchildren while they were at work. All of my children and their spouses are great parents. And my husband is also very supportive.
I love "The Word on Fire Show"! I have watched many of the podcasts over the last several years and always look forward to listening to a new topic. Thank you Brandon and Bishop Barron for the time you take to produce them
I love listening to Word on Fire first thing in the morning. Great way to start the day off right.
Hello. Just one coment on this subject, full disclosure I am father of one kid. One of the may reasons birth rates have gone down is an economic one. One a days is harder to maintain a middle class family.
There’s no better way to describe myself in the past and to describe who I’ve become than through the topic that was carefully, empathetically and intellectually discussed in this Word on Fire episode. I can’t thank you enough!
This is a fascinating conversation! I waited to have children until mid 20’s because I wanted to serve in the military and get a degree. When we finally were “ready”, I had a year of miscarriages: four in total. 😔 I have three children now but just a year ago, I had to have a hysterectomy and I truly grieve we couldn’t have the four I always felt was in my heart. So it goes, God’s plan.
I think infertility is a poignant aspect of this whole topic, because at the end of the day, it is God that allows us the children we have. So, if I were to put it into a single argument…it’s better to keep your waiting as minimal as is responsible because babies sometimes don’t come when we are ready for them.
In the end, God is wonderful to bless us with the souls we have stewardship of. We homeschool and, because I am the one teaching them, my life is more “abundant” than any career I could have pursued. I’m ever grateful to live in a supportive community that allows us to raise our children this way. And I pray more parents experience this kind of joy!
Blessings to all.
God bless yo ou both for your loving concrrn for families. What the world needs is more compassionate people like the two of you.
Gratefully, Margret Grizio
bless you. be at peace, you are in the middle of Gods will.
plus, you have 4 intercessors in heaven waiting for you.
Why did your god kill 4 of your children?
I wish that more families would find it in their hearts to adopt and/or foster children! If you want a big family, won’t you please bring these children into your lives and homes! Too many children have no one to love them!
Thank you for promoting parenthood. This is an excellent episode. God bless!!
We're on baby 3, all under 4 years and most of the comments we get are either a "helpful" reminder to use protection or some kind of inappropriate joke, as if it's a bad thing to have many kids. In reality, it gets easier and more joyful the more we have 😂 still chaotic but somehow easier
Keep having them, and just tell people to mind their own business
Spot on, BB. I have 4 children, none of whom have any children of their own. I've often thought of how parenthood makes it natural to be selfless and to sacrifice. Our kids will have to be thoughtfully selfless and sacrificial instead.
Really love this show. I love the thoughtfulness and kindness put into it. Praise be to Jesus Christ. Thank you Bishop Barron and Brandon (and all the countless people behind the scenes).
As someone who could not conceive, my adopted child is my, and my husband’s, greatest joy. Sacrifices for her are joy and privilege, not burden.
The move from agriculture to urban life has effected the desire, and affordability of having children. With two parents working and the emphasis on financial fixation and the lack of financial support in the US compared to other countries especially Germany, Scandinavia. We make raising children very expensive and laissez faire. We will have more children when we support marriage, families with tax deductions, and family leave time from work. That is just a start however. I am a parent of a large family, 5 children and 4 grandkids. My goal is to enjoy becoming the best grandpa and father to my family.
I needed this today. My husband and I were always ambivalent about children (I was a Baptist before journeying to convert to Catholicism earlier this year), and I thought I'd be fine without them. Well, the first time we didn't prevent, I became pregnant and miscarried at 9 weeks after learning our baby had no heartbeat at our first ultrasound. It changed my entire view on so many things. I now have such a desire to be a mother and pray I am able to again, to successfully bring a child into the world, so long if that's what God wills. Of course children require so much, but those of you who have these wonderful blessings, be thankful for them every day
I'm very sorry for your loss.
@@alisonbenda8411 thank you
Being aware of Bishop Barron and The Word on Fire has been the best thing that’s happened to me. You all have raised my level of knowledge and curiosity about faith. I’m more at peace because this awareness has brought me to a deeper relationship with God. Faith is like an onion with its many layers. The more I peel, the deeper and more meaningful the meaning of my life is and yet that relationship is simple. Just as it is said, love, truly love and there’s the answer to everything. Thank you all for your wisdom. 26:50
This was a great topic to cover. I hope our Dioceses will adopt a culture for preparing our children for being Catholic adults. Holding marriage as scared and having a family the ultimate in blessings and selflessness. Our children are our best hope to continue our faith.
God Bless Word on Fire🙏
Sydney Australia. average wage 85K - Tax 1/3 - Rent 1/3 - 1/3 Living expenses. Sydney, Australia Average price home 1 million - Interest 70K pa x 30 years - Dual income mandatory, then the second income destroyed by child care to keep the second job, our society has made the economics of the traditional nuclear family impossible and remember your local parish is constrained by these same forces.
Yes the high house prices in the western world is probably the biggest barrier. Governments seem to encourage this by design.
Just a quick point of fact. Descartes did have a child who died at an early age, which profoundly impacted him for the remainder of his life.
Many blessings for all that you do!
I have listened to The Word on Fire Show on U Tube for years. Best show on U Tube. This program one of the best.
Beautiful show, Your Excellency, Bishop Barron, it moved me to tears...
Speaking of Christian Colleges, I was fortunate enough to attend Santa Clara University, in California (about 23 yrs. ago), and the statements some of those girls made, did make me feel queasy...
One example, I will never forget, was a girl stayting out loud, during a woman's studies class, that since her parents spent a lot of money for her to attend Santa Clara University, she wants to make sure she doesn't waste it, by having a family first. Her number one priority in life would be her career, of course...
I didn't blame her or judge her, back then, but I do remember her almost angry statement, laced with 'greed for money',
left me a bit queasy...
Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, please have mercy on us sinners! 💘🙏💘
Hopefully the Church will continue repeatedly making this case ❤️
thank you sacrifice - either through having children or serving the poor- is serving GOD
As always, inspiring and educational! How ironic the mention that college alumni magazines almost never spotlight stay-at-home moms, often when the majority of graduated moms do "stay-at-home" to raise their family.
Thank you so much for this show I wish all young couples can listen to this ❤
This is a brilliant show. It is so informative and inspirational. The topics and questions are very useful and clearly put by Brendan. I love listening to Bishop Barron. He is so intelligent yet clear, down to earth, straightforward and succinct in his answers. He tells relevant and interesting stories. His voice is pleasant to listen to and I enjoy his humour. I am so grateful to God that I came across World on Fire,( I think it was on account of the covid lockdown!)
"if everything is a matter of subjective whim, then there's nothing calling me to heroic virtue." great point Bishop.
I think if this guy was to watch children full time for a month his opinions would be changing real fast. It's unreasonable to ask the younger generation to have children while paying ludicrous housing prices, unaffordable childcare, high food prices, inflated prices for everything else. This is why families are shrinking real fast.
But no one wants to admit it because to admit it means you don't have the money to be viewed as 'successful'.
that is the same in every generation. we are always poor when we buy a house, have a single income.... the story never changes. We are in a particular time where we feel it acutely, but I have noticed every time the price of milk goes up. Be brave. God is never outdone in generosity.
Thank you Bishop Barron for your time, this a great way to communicate. Topics is required to be heard at every Parish level especially as Catholics
9:16 I didn’t have children. My first husband didn’t want them and I didn’t talk him out of it. I was afraid. 11:03 I regret it very much.
"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man."
*- Rabindranath Tagore*
That's beautiful
@@AJ_ace22
Please speak if you are SURE OF.
Grateful for your kind words. Good moms can change the world.
Honest question. What is a good mom, because I have never met one?
@@jaimehoneybunny7462 I'm sad for you. Hugs.🙏🏻
@@constancemartin933 I'm only telling the truth. I don't belong where I was born. Hedonists moved to my area a long time ago. They've ruined everything. I'm too poor to escape.
Let’s not forget wonderful fathers.
Indeed! Be fruitful and multiply is the first command God gave man.
Love your work Bishop Barron, please keep it up and remember my family in your prayers. A few comments on the video:
My wife and I are practising Catholics and accept and follow all the teachings of the Church the best we can. But we know so many large Catholic families that are very much crushed by the day to day realities of their large families. (Energy, time, finances, etc.) Most often the wife has to unequally carry the domestic burden since the husband is the sole breadwinner. And often these families project a thin layer of outward joy but you sense and hear about in private how deeply unhappy they are and how much they struggle. I'm overgenralizing here, but that's what we've encountered over and over again. Depression, anxiety, unhappiness, living on the poverty line, husbands that are unsupportive, absent, or abusive. Wives that are at their mental breaking point, older kids being surrogate mothers to the young ones, living in very small homes or rental apartments, etc. They aren't very effective evangelists of what it means to have a big Catholic family and tend to be in traditionalist Catholic camps like the SSPX.
The average family home in larger metropolitan areas of Canada costs north of a million dollars. I'm talking a townhouse within 45 minutes of a city core. The state heavily penalizes single income earners for the sake of more female participation in the workforce. Having even a below average suburban lifestyle with a handful of kids is nearly impossible to have on a single income below 150k and a large downpayment for a moderately sized house. Childcare can be over $100 a day.
Even a move to smaller towns or more rural areas of the country leaves you with the same generally high cost of living, taxes, and now a lack of local family support, job market access, etc.
I think having a large family also needs to be done in such a way that you produce well rounded and virtuous children in the end that are capable of being functional adults. Almost universally, large families my wife and I know end up producing the opposite. Kids that are racked with anxiety and social awkwardness, an inability to get into colleges and universities or start decent careers, or they rebel against the strict religious upbringing that they had once given more exposure to the society they were once insulated from.
All to say, there are many reasons other than selfishness that give practising Catholics pause when considering more than 2 or 3 kids in the west. Society itself is not setup to facilitate or support us anymore and our Churches offer little to no guidance outside of marriage prep. We have two young children and are getting near 40. We're in good material shape but we're exhausted and petrified of what would happen if we had more kids right now.
Also, a word about NFP when TTA. It sucks... big time. Nobody mentioned that precisely when couples desire sex the most is when you need to abstain from it. But then again the people who taught our marriage prep class were all post menopausal couples who I can almost guarantee you used contraception for the majority of their marriages.
I agree. The cost of living is crushing families. Maybe one help would be if Catholic schools, including universities, would charge a minimal amount for education. I’m from the US and the cost of an education is staggering.
Yes this is the things that gets me about NFP, it requires the woman to commit to a lifetime of having sex when she doesn't want to, and not being able to when she naturally desires to and is in a good mood.
You know, it’s easy to think marriage and raising children is too hard to be worth it, but then you see a parent doing something cute with their kids and suddenly that doesn’t matter anymore, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting kids.
Maybe it’s just the paternal side of me emerging in my early 20s, especially from being the oldest sibling, but I realize I don’t have to be different. It’s very comforting knowing countless men have been down the same path I wish to tread.
I see what family does to save souls. It will save this civilization. Lord have mercy!
🙌
Thank you both for your continued work. Truly, you have changed my life.
Deeply thought provoking! Thank you WoF team 🤗
I love listening to your presentations. They are wonderful. I pray the whole will do the same. You are changing the world with evangelizing the culture. Thank God for your doing all that. Thank you very much.
This was a nice and refreshing episode, I would like this topic to be explored further by more popular voices. There are so many objections to overcome in this modern day environment. Common questions usually revolve around contraception, and how low-income households can provide for large families in today’s economic climate and more. It’s good that you’re addressing children in this video!
Life without suffering is unrealistic. Love without suffering is pretentious. To live, and to love without embracing suffering is erroneous. Marriage may be the biggest pain of all. Motherhood, and fatherhood are the most noble purpose under nature's sky, and God's greater plan. Honor your father and mother, and forgive them as you would have them forgive you.
Absolutely right!!
The word on fire show is a wonderful insight for catholic people and for people who would like to come into the fold❣😃✌ Thank You
This show is a blessing. Really eye opening on my own selfish view of life.
I love the line “God is the sole source for purpose and meaning” However, Children can really test your patience and they can easily make you forget those values. How do you best discipline those strong will children with the set of values?
I’d love to have a big family someday. Just waiting on the right guy. 🙂
I can hear the screeching from the childfree crowd
Let’s consider the whole situation! Yes, have children - children who are wanted! Ensure that the concern is not just for foetuses. Protect the health of all family members, especially those who are pregnant! Remember, too, NOT to conflate miscarriages with abortion! Ensure that legislation does not criminalize the medical profession, either!
Then ensure that families have sufficient income and resources to raise their children in a positive manner! As well as legislating proper minimum wages, affordable daycare and affordable housing, make sure that public education is provided at the highest possible standards, uniformly across all of a state and/or territory!
And so important - and greatly needed - is the adoption of children who have no one! Foster parents, too, are greatly needed! Check out the numbers of these young souls who have to wait-and wait - and wait to be loved!!!
@@The_Atheist_Carpenter5625
I need to add, the correct spelling of the Anglican priest’s name is Rev. Ed Trevors. I missed the “s”! That was in the reply to you which I don’t see here!
In case it never shows up, here the gist of it. I agree with with your remarks! In my country, abortion has been decriminalized across the nation! We have more political parties than does the United States, but the only registered party which has making abortion illegal again in its platform has not been able to elect any candidates since its inception in the mid eighties!
In a comment on a previous video of the bishop’s, I told him that abortion was NOT the most important moral issue today! Rather it is Schadenfreude! (Sadly, there is no single English word to define Schadenfreude!)
I would suggest that you might truly appreciate the reflections of Anglican priest Rev Ed Trevors of Nova Scotia! He has numerous videos on TH-cam and gets a lot of positive comments from atheists, agnostics and the unchurched!
@@melindaunknown113
With your cancer, are you able to reach out to agencies like the American Cancer Society? It’s not the only one providing services. A friend of mine in NY receives help from the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Foundation for her treatment. I believe that most well known forms of cancer have agencies looking to help victims of these forms of cancer.
My country, Canada, provides basic universal health services for all. However, with the Covid pandemic, our healthcare systems are stretched far too thin! Far too many emergency rooms have been closed numerous times.
( I’m fortunate in being able to afford insurance for extra coverage like dental care and pharmaceuticals.)
Thats all it is. Noise.
Laughing, not screeching 😄
Most of the young adults whose parents could not afford to help them pay for college education are holding down more than one job just to pay for basic food, clothing, and shelter for themselves. This is also while paying school loan payments which are monthly as high as a second mortgage payment. Some people can’t afford to have large families financially. Also school loan debt does not go away if you marry, both spouses have to carry the debt into the relationship. It became that people wouldn’t even consider a person for marriage if they carried a significant debt. Nobody blamed them either.
Wow do u live in a state of fear. If you r carrying loans as high as a mortgage payment you r nor making wise financial choices and do not know how to budget.
@@russellmiles2861 dependence on the government is for the spineless and weak.
I don’t have any anymore but where I came from this was the state of many young adults.
We live in a culture that does not promote families or having children. If fact, just the opposite. Having kids is a personal choice and not everyone is meant to reproduce or wants to. And frankly the reasons why aren’t anybody else’s business. And those posting here they had 10 kids and have 20 grandchildren did it back in the 50’s and 60’s and the culture was vastly different then.
I have 3 children. The importance of raising them well weighs heavy on my mind to the point that I don't want to have anymore children. I want to be very mindful and focused in raising these 3
Develop a system that is personal, yet robustly systemic, organic yet structured, adaptable, yet regular.
Master the art of parenthood, I mean.
Thank you Bishop and Brandon. You"re both on point regarding this case for children. I always consider children blessings to their parents. That is why having children requires also that as parents, we should be responsible for the blessings that we are given. I have four responsible children. Praise God.
I can’t help but feel it ,and say it, we are heading to the glorious end .
I am uncomfortable with the suggestion that strong faith equates to large families. And lack of faith equates to no family or small families. Some huge assumptions are being made here. Finances, health and well being of the woman, practicalities of which parent gives up work in order to raise this large family, these are real issues and I am surprised they have not been mentioned. It might have helped to have had a woman in on this discussion.
I completely agree!
I agree, it is fine to advocate larger families but it's a bit hollow without recognizing the practical effects and implementation challenges and ignoring the obvious fact that parents often need support.. Parents don't have the soical and mental support to support large families any more, far less for the finances for child care etc etc.
Thank you Robert Barron!!
"The fact that most villains in horror movies are children is a real reflection on our society seeing children as frightening" so true... oh my gosh!
Your program is very important very thoughtful I dont believe I have missed an episode. Thank you.
I really enjoy the topic discussed, and the book recommendations.
I love this show topic only because it brings me to celebrate the Catholic Social Teaching that our popes have so ardently stressed during the times when fertility was being addressed by those who had fallen away from the faith, consequently resorting to science. Thank you Word on Fire Team and Bishop Barron. I will promise to pray for you when I attend Mass today and along with praying the Liturgy of the Hours and daily Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. If I were to have a family and children, I would make sure these prayers were first and foremost what would need to be completed by the end of a day. Peace and blessings always!
Living in a good family is itself a training ground for marriage and parenting. The discussion/comparison about preparation for the priesthood and preparation for married life and parenthood is not parallel. Especially if the children are immersed in a rich Catholic culture as they grow up.
Thank you, Brandon, and Bishop Barron! I am a single Mother of one. I am also the oldest of a family of seven siblings. My parents are celebrating their 65th wedding Anniversary on Epiphany. I grew up in a big family. I treasure all my siblings all my nieces and nephews, I highly recommend a big family!
I treasure family, and I treasure being a Mom. I treasure all the years of joy my son gave to me and others as a child; and now the joy he brings as an adult. I also struggled as a single Mother. So many children are in single parent homes and families these days. I believe every nation should put the family first. I believe single Moms
(and Dad's) know deep in their hearts the gift that an intact, healthy family is; by virtue of raising their children without fathers, or without Mothers; and in many cases, raising children alone, without support of extended family, or even a parish family. As the Church moves forward in re-evangelizing, please consider inviting single parents into close union within your parishes. Invite them to walk alongside your two parent families in order to receive love and support. Prayer and acceptance goes a long way. Actually this kind of support can go both ways if allowed to. The children of single family homes need to be provided with a vision that leads them to Christ, and to Christ's healing within their own souls, and relationships. These children and their single Mothers, and their single Fathers, need to see the possibilities. They need to see, and to be given hope for their own futures as parents of families living as God designed for us all. I do not mean that we should foster single parenthood. I do see the threat that single parent families seem to have upon two parent families. And there is the stigma of sin that divorce, or having never been married, or having a child outside of marriage has on a parent, and their child, or children. But I wonder; when a single parent realizes their sin, confesses it, and tries to repent by returning to the Church, to Holy Mass, to Christ, bringing along their children to him too, do Catholic parishioners welcome them? Does the Church welcome them? I mean only to point out the painful truth that single parents are here, in the now, needing Jesus. Many are outside the Church. In their many struggles, they need Jesus to help them. Our current culture has created many broken homes, and relationships. In this current moment in time, is it possible for Catholics to accept and love these Mother's, and Father's and their children? To include them in the healing and renewal process of the Church, and of the family? Can we all walk together with two parent families, towards the goal of 'family' as God envisioned it for us all? Even if we are not there yet? Single parents understand the hardships and struggles of a broken family. This understanding and deep knowledge in the hands of our Merciful God, becomes wisdom and understanding for everyone. With Mercy and kindness, all of our children will know they are valued and loved. And I pray that they will also know that to bring a child into the world requires a Trinity of Love; God, Man, and Woman. Modeled after the Holy Trinity. I pray all children know they are treasured and Loved, especially by God. I pray all children come to know and love their Father in Heaven, our Creator and our Redeemer. I pray their families be healed, and that the future of the family be healed.
Love this content!! Thank you both
There seems to be an emphasis on mothers. But fatherhood needs to be engaged in the nurturing and raising of children.
God bless your continued great work of evangelization!
I agree with just about everything that was said. The premise of the argument is sound but they completely ignored the fact that we have an economic system that doesn’t allow for the majority individuals to start families and have multiple children. There’s not as many stay at home moms anymore because families can’t survive on a one income household. Both parents have to work. Healthcare is overpriced. Childcare is expensive. The housing market is out of control. Wages haven’t kept up with inflation since the 1980s. Coincidentally that’s probably when we started to see the fertility rate start to fall and has led us to where we are right now present day
Thank you for your case for kids. There is no doubt that my husband and I would be the faith-filled Catholics if it wasn't for our child being born!
Great reminder that children are a blessing from God, and makes us better people!
Love this show.
In England I have met many many totally lapsed Catholics who are 1 of 7, 8, 9, 10 siblings. These people are all in their 60s, children of Irish immigrants. Their parents didn't contracept,, but they dint pass the faith on either.
I pray this reaches those Catholics who desire childless marriages and parents who encourage their children not to have children when the grow up
I have a baby on the way, however given the state of the church I have reservations on having them baptised into the Catholic church until they are old enough to make that decision on their own. Because of this, and because I am married to a non-Christian in a civil ceremony I have been refused absolution, so can't partake in the sacraments anyway. Given that I'm not about to annul my marriage or force my kid into something as serious as this without their consent that effectively means I'm out of the church too. If the churches approach to these things was a bit more up to date it might be easier to retain and encourage families in the church.
I'm the youngest in my group at work (about 20 people) and tied for the most kids with 3 kids. It's truly sad the things people distract themselves with, whether be it vacations, electronics, work, etc... to avoid the fact that their worldview necessitates that their life has no meaning. Everything is viewed through the lense of the individual seeking to improve his standing and have the best experiences.
Godlessness, childlessness, and eventually despair - the track so many millennials and zoomers are on.
@@The_Atheist_Carpenter5625 Atheism (and agnosticism, albeit in a more roundabout way) necessarily results in nihilism. If you're not conscious of this fact then you're either lying to yourself, haven't taken the time to think through your worldview, or some combination therin.
Things like "I'm made of star stuff" or "My hobbies make me happy" are just cope. You believe you happened to come into existence and are little more than a bag of water with lots of chemical reactions taking place. Morality is an evolutionary byproduct that benefits the species. Oh, and nothing matters.
@@The_Atheist_Carpenter5625 Your handle is cringe, man, as is your post. Cringe on top of cringe.
If they do have kids it's usually one, maybe two - probably both are adopted, then followed by divorce then remarriage (courthouse or "private ceremony") if not a new "partner" a few years later. Other characteristics: urban lifestyle (LA/SF/NYC or if they're "so done with America" then London/Paris, a fur baby, and "loves traveling & fitness" and is a self-described "foodie" in their bio)
@@TickleMeElmo55 All spot on. The fur babies in my area are often pit bulls and they're always adamant about them being "such a sweet dog". Just about every meme out there is spot on in my area.
@@bernardevillaw3410 Not Catholic bud. This prot agrees with the premise of the video though.
My wife and I are catholic and we just have three kids. Having a huge family isn’t for everyone. I respect those that have and want many many kids but at the same time don’t want to be judged for not having a huge family. We have just as many opportunities to be “holy” regardless of how many kids we have.
I remember a study from my college psych class which found that contrary to the conventional wisdom people do not tend to become more conservative with age. The trend is actually for everyone to gradually become more liberal with age, but then rapidly shift to the right every time one becomes a parent or grandparent to an additional child. Those who were liberal as teens to have big families young end up way more conservative than those who were very conservative as teens but never have children.
Could you please talk to the Deacons and priests that tell families like ours not to participate in ministries because we have little kids?
Thankfully I know that there are few of these types of Deacons in our beloved church. I'm a Catholic, homeschooling mother of three little ones and it's quite irritating when our "religious" belittle families like mine.
I'd love to have 10 kids. Almost certainly too late for me. I hope I can have a couple more. That would be amazing.
See what I do
Wonderfully articulated important message.
Wonderful show! Great topic!
My mom once told me that in the end-times babies were not going to be born. I didn't know how this would happen, but I recently heard of a study which found that the human sperm count is declining worldwide....hmmm
Thanks be to God
Family is key 🙏🏻✝️
I'm quite poor and have mild mental health issues that I'm scared to have kids. I think a lot of people of my generation are opting not to have kids for similar reasons. Its not selfishness but more about making a logical choice for the wellbeing of the unborn
But we don't just need more children, we need good adults, so this has to be a complete package not just people popping out babies.
I think sociology is too blame as to why people don't have kids.
EXACTLY ..... It's beyond time for this focus to shift. The constant blame on young adults being selfish is unfair.
I will trust in God. Even though it’s difficult, I will continue to walk with faith and not by sight. Please pray for me. My husband passed away years ago. I’m a single mother. Both of my sons are autistic, they require a lot from me because they are non verbal. Every month is a struggle. Since I lost my job as a social worker at Forsyth hospital. I lost my job because I declined the vaccine. I declined because of my pre existing health condition lupus, and heart disease. I was denied my medical/religious exemption. I wish I could go back but the mandate is still in place for hospitals that participate in Medicare and Medicaid all employees must have covid 19 vaccine. I get harassed constantly and mocked for sharing my testimony and for asking for prayers but prayers are all I want and I also want to bring awareness of how vaccine mandates are ruining many ppls lives. I’m now waitressing and I’m so thankful but not making nearly enough to get by. I’m tired of struggling putting food on the table it’s so discouraging. But even as I’m put down and harassed because of my situation. I have faith that our Heavenly Father will provide he has THIS FAR! Faith over fear. Please pray for me and my boys! God bless! 🥰
Prayers🙏. So sorry about your husband's passing and your struggles. Your two angels in your home and your love plus your great trust in God will sustain you. Cry out for new graces. I'll remember you.
Prayers for your struggle. We always win with Jesus and Mary. God bless you
My prayers go out for you. Have you considered seeking work in a red state?
🙏
I'm a very devout Catholic and absolutely love the way that Bishop Barron expresses the principles of our faith. I agree with everything he is saying about kids (being a children's therapist myself).
At the same time, I can't help but notice his apparent support for the Republican Party (given his recent interviews with Ben Shapiro & Newt Gingrich). These ideologies make it so difficult for people to want to have children. When daycare is hard to afford, wage gaps increasing by the day, rent prices increasing, and our education failing, how can anyone be optimistic about having children? And these situations are a direct result of policies advanced by the Republican Party. I would advocate to have this in mind when encouraging people to have children but then creating a situation for these children to live in food, housing, and education insecurities.
I don't know why make this about politics, since the Bishop didn't mention anything himself, but really... the democrats literally advocate for the killing of babies. Is that better? Seems like republicans are the lesser of two evils, to say the least.
@@gabriela6584 While Bishop Barron did not explicitly say anything about politics in this episode, when it aired he had recently met with right-wing political figures including Newt Gingrich and Ben Shapiro. I appreciated his distance from politics before then. I would also say that the republicans are not the lesser of two evils. They advocate for guns and capital punishment (killing of people). Not to mention their policies incentivize income inequality, inhumane treatment of immigrants, and taking away services from the most needy.
Does our culture offer anything encouraging or life affirming to little ones? I don't think so...to me that is part of
the problem, too.
Parishes like St. Mary on the Hill in Augusta, GA has a stewardship program that allows every Catholic family who participates through time and tithing to receive free school tuition no matter their income level or number of children.
Let the dead burry the dead doesn’t apply if your parents are alive and require your help to live.
Thank you both for this excellent discussion! I can’t praise it enough.
Thanks!
Married couples have the luxury of having as few or as many as they wish, assuming there are no health issues precluding. --Thank God -- married couples are in a position to choose whether or not to have children and do so all the while rightfully ignoring the finger wagging from others, particularly priests, bishops, etc. No individual, no institution has a right to mandate that married couples have children.
If you ask most people about why they don't want to have children the answer is the same most of the time. Most people are very pessimistic about the future.
It's a personal choice whether to have children or not, there's a lot of social pressure to have them especially on women
I can only sympathize! There's pressure from God as well 🙉 But from my personal experience, trusting God has only been a good thing in my life. Who cares about what anyone else says?
Children are a blessing from God and a culture that denies this has failed.
Prophetic words!
Thank you for the video. It was stimulating and enriching.
Congratulations Brandon on your new baby! And by the way, do you have any children that are girls? God Bless!
What’s missing in the discussion is the lack of opposition from the church to abortion. Bishop Barron spoke out in it recently. But he feels like a voice in the wilderness of the church. When we diminish the sanctity of life, we inherit the wind.