Happy New Year to all; it is the Year of Grace 2026 of Our Lord.     God's grace powers our lives. 
   And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”  Jesus is the new Eden, the new Temple, the restored creation, the realization of God’s intention for the world. And our purpose is not simply to gaze on this fact with wonder, but rather to enter into its power. The least we can do is to be in His House, the Church and welcome Him into our home! In the family. Give Him a place in the Inn…    The family is, so to speak, the domestic church. In it parents should, by their word and example, be the first preachers of the faith to their children; they should encourage them in the vocation which is proper to each of them, fostering with special care vocation to a sacred state” -L. G.
   Keeping a faithful prayer life with our family isn't easy. From raising distracted children to managing the chores of every day’s worries, our spiritual life all too often feels frantic and burdensome. This isn't the way it should be. Our prayer life, our family life, and our work life should - and can! - be in harmony. When they are, our family is a powerhouse of grace, and Our Lord transforms our home into a little Eden - a little bit of heaven on earth. What’s a Church without a place to pray?  A great first move in building the domestic church is establishing a place in the home designated for prayer. THE DOMESTIC ORATORY, Every Domestic Church needs a place to gather for prayer. Consider setting up a sacred space in your home. Consisting of a modest table and icons, the little oratory is a visible sign of spiritual awareness and devotion. It extends the Eucharistic worship of the Divine Liturgy into the heart of your home, spiritually nourishing your family and preparing them to transform the world through prayer and charity. The Gospel of Matthew tells us: “But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” (Matt. 6:6). Of course, this can be interpreted literally or figuratively: the "chamber" can be an actual one or the chamber of the heart, the interior castle. The point, very often overlooked, is that the soul must have some time alone with God in a completely interior, intimate way.     Choose a place. Find a room, a quiet corner, with a table that you can set aside as a little sacred space in your home. 
Enthrone Holy Scriptures.     Bless yourself with Holy Water, from church, Renew Your Baptism…Everyday.    Enshrine meaningful icons, take some off the wall from other places in your home. Mainly the crucifix, and an image of Mary, the Blessed Mother of God. Ask your kids to draw something! Use images that help you pray! Use a candle & blessed incense, to set aside the time of prayer.      Consecrate family Time & Space for the Lord.       Because a family that prays together stays together.