Jeff Cavins - The Family: School of Love - IHM Conference Notes

 "In an age when outside influences are pulling apart the fabric of the family, Jeff sounds an alarm that we must begin to see our families as a school of love. Jeff will offer suggestions on how to communicate the love of God to family members in the hope that children will grow up and continue building a school of love in their own families. Strong families are not the result of spiritual osmosis, but rather, a clear plan that is loved out through love and patience."

The Family: The School of Love was an inspiring talk given by Jeff Cavins at IHM National Catholic Parenting & Homeschool Conference.

*  How much of your week is truly living? How much is putting up with life?

*  Attach meaning to your suffering. Offer up a less than ideal day.

*  If you’ll die for your family, you’ll live for them too.

 Col 1:24  Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.

 Read encyclical linked here, St. JPII's Salvifici Doloris - on the salvific meaning of suffering.

*  What they did to Me they will do to you. Die with Him. It’s no longer I who live but Christ who lives within me.  We’ve got to participate at every level.

*  Apply your suffering to your children, to their vocation…their purity. 

“At least three times a day, deny yourself some legitimate pleasure…for the love of God. These little ‘deaths’ are so many rehearsals for the final death. Dying is a masterpiece, and to do it well, we must die daily: ‘If any man would come after me, let him…take up his cross daily’ (Luke 9:23)” Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen

*  You practice loving in the school of love, in the family.  If you can’t love in the family, how can you love a democrat…CNN?

*  Suffering is heavenly cash. A coin that can purchase that which can not be bought.

To hear this talk in its entirety, on and after August 1st  you can find  audio of it HERE, along with other talks from this 2-day Catholic homeschooling/parenting conference.

Jeff Cavins is recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the most effective and engaging speakers in the Church today. Few can communicate their love for Jesus Christ with as much zeal, clarity, and enthusiasm as Jeff Cavins. In addition to his outstanding presentations related to Catholic Bible study, Jeff is available to speak on a variety of other faith-formation topics.

After twelve years as a Protestant pastor, Jeff returned to the Catholic Church under the guidance of Bishop Paul Dudley. His conversion story, one of the best known and inspiring stories of its kind, is chronicled in the best-selling book, My Life on the Rock.

Over the past several decades, Jeff has dedicated his life to developing The Great Adventure: A Journey through the Bible, a practical, interactive program that helps people read the “big picture” of God’s plan in Sacred Scripture and understand its meaning for their lives. The Great Adventure presents the entire sweep of the Bible in a way that is easy to understand and genuinely fun. Its unique Bible Timeline learning system has revolutionized Catholic Bible Study for hundreds of thousands of Catholics since 1995. Jeff received his MAS in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Jeff has been a leading figure in Catholic media for over two decades and has appeared as a guest or host on Catholic radio and television hundreds of times.

"Suffering" some teasing and banter from Dr. Ray Guarendi.