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Grow Christians

A community of disciples practicing faith at home.

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Desert Mother, Patriarchy Destroyer

June 8, 2020 By Fr. Patrick Funston 4 Comments

Two and a half weeks ago I had no idea who Melania the Elder was. (Hint: The Patriarchy)

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Filed Under: Saints Tagged With: cloud of witnesses, desert mother, Lesser Feasts and Fasts, racism

Saint Dunstan and The Crown

May 19, 2020 By Fr. Patrick Funston Leave a Comment

The best scene of the best episode of Netflix’s “The Crown” is Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in “Smoke and Mirrors” (the fifth episode of the first season).

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Filed Under: Saints, Spiritual Practices Tagged With: church, Prayer, saints

Grow at the Movies: Trolls World Tour

April 17, 2020 By Fr. Patrick Funston Leave a Comment

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Universal chose to release Trolls World Tour to streaming platforms to rent. A 48 hour rental costs $19.99. Initially I […]

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: diversity, Grow at the Movies, Music, racism

Grow at the Movies: The Rise of Skywalker

December 21, 2019 By Fr. Patrick Funston 1 Comment

In honor of Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker being the third movie of a third trilogy, I’m going to begin my review by sharing three of the possible introductions I brainstormed in the nine hours since I walked out of the theatre.

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Filed Under: Saints Tagged With: communion of saints, Grow at the Movies, Illustrated Children's Ministry, Star Wars

Grow at the Movies: Toy Story 4

June 27, 2019 By Fr. Patrick Funston 4 Comments

A few months ago, I watched a documentary on Netflix called “The Pixar Story” which charted the rise of the animation studio through its first several movies and told the story of its partnership with and ultimate acquisition by Disney.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Grow at the Movies, movie, parenting, young children

Grow at the Movies: Avengers Endgame

May 3, 2019 By Fr. Patrick Funston 2 Comments

Eleven years ago, Marvel took a huge risk. They attempted  a blockbuster film about a beloved, though not strikingly popular superhero, starring an actor who was a troubled darling of small cinema in the middle of an upswing following imprisonment and rehab.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Grow at the Movies, movie, superhero, teenagers

Pardon Our Dust

March 6, 2019 By Fr. Patrick Funston Leave a Comment

What is parenting if not equipping our children with the ability to function in the world?

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Ash Wednesday, forgiveness, parenting, repentance, sin

Learning Pastoral Care from the Animal Kingdom

October 4, 2018 By Fr. Patrick Funston 1 Comment

Before seminary, my priest would often send me off to do children’s chapel.  She made working with kids a requirement of my internship even though […]

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: animals, children's books, Listening, pastoral care

Michael Sings, “I Am the Warrior.” Can I?

September 29, 2018 By Fr. Patrick Funston Leave a Comment

The New Testament names two angels: Gabriel and Michael. Michael has had greater historical devotion, thus today’s feast “Michaelmas” or “The Feast of St. Michael […]

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Filed Under: Saints Tagged With: baptismal covenant, St. Michael, St. Michael and All Angels

Lego, Star Wars and Advent Formation

December 11, 2017 By Fr. Patrick Funston 2 Comments

When we make family formation a fraught exercise, we work against our own desires.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Advent, children, Christmas, Lego, Star Wars, young children

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