“Parents routinely share with us that the specific strategies and tools they have learned at the Groups gatherings have led to breakthroughs in their confidence in spiritually leading their children heavenward and finding heaven in their home,” Ever Johnson said.
Couples have shared that thanks to the Groups gatherings, they’ve started preparing for and enjoying the Sabbath together as a family, renewing their date nights, doing chores together, prioritizing family meals, and hosting other families.
The Johnsons have even witnessed positive change in their own family.
“Our five children have been regular participants in our parish’s Group, and like the other couple dozen kids who attend, have sometimes referred to it as the ‘church party,’” Ever recalled. “They look forward to the food, the high decibel level, and a chance to do fun activities while we’re down the hall with other parents, going deeper on a specific topic of faith and family life.”
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington has praised Trinity House Community, calling its work “one of the many blessings in the Diocese of Arlington.”
Burbidge has taken an active role in the Trinity House Community Groups, writing the foreword to the participant workbook.
He wrote: “As Ever and Soren affirm in their ministry, the model of the Holy Trinity as a communion of persons should be reflected in our homes. God is one in three persons, a communion because of the total gift of each person to the other. Family is also a communion of persons. By learning about the way the persons of the Holy Trinity relate to one another, we can understand how a family should relate to one another.”
“Through a beautiful reflection on the icon of the Trinity, Ever and Soren explain how God’s life is one of welcoming, listening, and serving. As we reflect on who God is, these three features of his life become like guideposts on a map to ‘finding heaven in our homes!’”
Asked what he would tell families hesitant to join due to concerns of their children being too rowdy or disrupting the group, Soren said: “ You’re not alone! Relax and come join other loud, messy, and beautiful families!”
He added: “We’re all on this journey together, and as Pope Francis has said, ‘Perfect families do not exist.’ With that in mind, the goal of the Group gatherings is that families will find the gatherings informal, encouraging, inspiring, and even joyful. Couples enjoy the date-night feel of the focused time with other parents, while kids have fun with their peers. Strengthening relationships with other couples and families might just be the game-changer your family needs for the faith to come alive in your home.”
Francesca is the Social Media Manager for Catholic News Agency. She received her degree in Communications with an emphasis in Digital Media from the University of Colorado - Denver.