By Phillip Grothus
I’ve had many people in my life who taught me valuable lessons. My dad showed me how to use power tools and handle household electrical work. My mom passed down the art of making lumpia and other Filipino dishes. My high school coach instilled in me the importance of hard work and trusting that effort leads to success. My college art history professor opened my eyes to how life experiences can take you to incredible places—he gave tours to wealthy travelers in Egypt and used his own slides instead of textbook images to teach us. And my good friend Adam taught me about love and fatherhood, as I admired the way his daughter, now 18, would lean affectionately on him during Mass, just like a little child.
These lessons weren’t just handed to me; I had to be vulnerable and ask for guidance. In a world where we often feel the need to be the expert, asking for help can seem like a weakness—but that’s just pride talking. We need to push that aside and realize it’s okay to seek guidance.
My parents promised to pass on the faith to me, and they did their best. But they also recognized that others could offer different perspectives, so they enrolled me at Lourdes Catholic School in Bettendorf, Iowa. Now, I’ve made the same promise to my children. I know there are others who can reach them in ways I cannot, which is why my children are in Religious Education at St. Malachy in Madrid. Even though it can be frustrating when my child comes home with something I’ve already taught them, the beauty lies in knowing that I’ve laid the foundation, while someone else helps build the structure for them to truly understand. We all learn differently, and sometimes it takes a new perspective for the lesson to fully take root.
Remember, registration for Youth Faith Formation closes Wednesday night, August 21, at 11:59 pm. Don’t miss the chance to enroll your child so they can learn from our wonderful catechists and youth group leaders. You’ve started the framework—let us help build the house.