How can a preacher deliver a homily that captures the hopes of younger audiences—from toddlers to teens—while keeping parents and the entire congregation engaged? It’s a tall order, but in this special “Preach” episode, host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., tackles this challenge in another panel discussion, this time with three America Media colleagues and parents: Tim Reidy, deputy editor-in-chief; Kerry Weber, executive editor; and Heather Trotta, vice president of advancement. Together, they share their experiences of nurturing their children’s faith and reflect on what makes for a homily that connects with everyone.
Heather reflects on the tone of some homilies she has heard: “It’s really difficult when I’ve walked away from Masses and my kids say, ‘I feel like we were getting yelled at or we were being punished,’” she says. “That’s not how I want to raise my children. And that’s not how I want them to develop their faith in fear; it should be positive and helpful and uplifting.”
Tim emphasizes the importance of authenticity: “Sometimes it’s just a line, and that’s all that you really need to leave with a young person,” he says. “It’s not like a perfectly crafted homily that I’m looking for as a parent, sometimes I think for the kids it’s a lot about, does this person seem real? Does this person seem like they believe in what they’re saying?”
Kerry highlights the value of inclusive homilies: “I think more people should preach as though they’re preaching to a group of children,” she says. “And I don’t mean that in a way that’s condescending to kids or adults, right? Kids are super smart, they’re gonna pick up on the important lessons. So if you think, ‘How could I apply this to kids?’, it’s probably pretty good for adults as well.”
Tune in for real talk on preaching to the whole family, and join the conversation for practical advice on how preachers can help parents nurture their family’s faith.
