Simultaneous Commuter Retreats
Two commuter retreats took place on the weekend of Nov 20-21: one in Houston and one in San Antonio. The retreat in Houston took place during the day at Westcott Study Center and at Western Academy, while the retreat in San Antonio was held at the new Montevista house on 418 Happy Trail. A total of 25 participants attended the retreats, and manifested their satisfaction with the experience.
Club Anvil for 6th and 7th Graders in Houston
Club Anvil forms 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in an atmosphere of freedom, friendship, and fun. In this crucial transition-age before high school, the boys develop their freedom to choose the good on their own initiative. They grow in friendship with boys who have similar values. They learn to have active rather than passive fun that is demanding, engaging, and creative. The club meets after school twice a month and includes time for reading, prayer, sports, dinner, and a virtue talk.
Occasional Saturday father-son movie nights or visits to the nearby nursing home and a yearly father-son camping trip round out the Anvil calendar.
Sexuality Education Resources for Parents
It is becoming increasingly important for young people to receive good formation from a very young age in the area of human sexuality and human love. This sets the stage for young men or women to successfully integrate their sexuality into their life of virtue, and lay a strong foundation for safeguarding their long-term happiness in life. Such a task falls primarily to parents. It is often recommended that fathers talk to their sons and mothers to their daughters. However at times parents may find such a task difficult, and could benefit from encouragement, and good resources. The following articles are highly recommended to help parents in such a task:
- Tips for Talking to Your Kids about Sex: The Elementary School Years.
- Tips for Talking to Your Kids about Sex: The Middle School Years.
- Tips for Talking to Your Kids about Sex: The High School Years.
More resources that can be useful for parents and those counseling them can be found here.
Personal Initiatives: Club Forge
Angelo Directo with other dads, friends and volunteers have put together Club Forge. The initiative is an adventure and character-building club for boys in grades 3 through 5 and their dads. It aims to imbue the boys with a desire to be men of virtue and to give them some of the tools they need to reach that goal. It meets on the third Sunday of the month at 3 PM at Westcott Study Center in Houston.