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Hey, Shepherds

My older daughter walks her three children to school each morning. Sounds very 1950’s, except that she like many other people is working from home these days. It’s a two-mile roundtrip; three kids, three different schools. It’s good exercise for everyone and pushing a stroller with a toddler in it as well as backpacks and Chromebooks gives it a very 2021 vibe. It’s also a life preserving event since driving near a school is indicative of a death wish.

Carseats are another good reason to walk. Where there are children; there are carseats. A child is at least five before they can reliably operate the latches on the five-point harness. Police departments encourage new parents to contact them for properly installation of a carseat in the car. One cannot be a modern full fledged grandparent if they struggle with this equipment.

My other daughter has four children and every dinner time is preceded by ten minutes of plate preparation for the kids. Yes, I’m a big part of these villages. I can push the loaded stroller and cover the two mile trip to school. I can buckle carseats and I can install them in the car. We are blessed to be middle of the road in the resource department. Still life is more difficult for my daughters’ families than it was for their dad and I to raise them. The tasks and concerns for young families remain largely the same but the complexity of life has changed dramatically.

So, when the US Catholic Bishops propose a vote to deny President Biden communion my reaction was “ARE YOU KIDDING?!”  What a waste of time for a group with authority and power to debase themselves in such pettiness.

Of course, this is the same group that decided several years ago to re-word the Nicene Creed from “one in being with the Father” to “consubstantial with the Father.”  Isn’t that a phrase that slides off one’s tongue easily? Obviously, Bishops, you are lacking a sense of everyday grit under your fingernails. 

Here’s brief primer. Ditch the afternoon nap. The excuse that you have evening meetings is flimsy. I worked in the Chancery, I know who left work to have their afternoon nap. Your flock works all day and comes home at five or six to a mountain of responsibilities that would exhaust you before seven. Familiarize yourself with grocery shopping and which items are purchased at the supermarket, the Costco and the farmer’s market. Once home, cook it and be sure that you cut the kids meat into tiny pieces for their little mouths. Be sure to make the lunches for the next morning.

Can you handle bathtime? Can you read the bedtime book with animation in your voice? Can you read it again and again?

The flock isn’t complaining about these activities but if you think you have a bully pulpit. Get to work on something that would really improve lives forever. High quality, affordable, universal day care.

“Hey, Josh, your mom is here.”  A two-year-old will call to their daycare classmate.  They are learning to play, learning about their world and forming community. It’s never to early to teach children to look out for one another.

During World War II, there was Rosie the Riveter who stepped up to work for her community.  Guess what, Rosie the Riveter had kids. Her children went to a federally funded daycare that was available seven days a week. Not only were the children supervised, they were also fed, and there was an infirmary for sick kids. When Rosie came to pick up her children, the cafeteria would send her home with a hot meal. While this was not universal it was a step in the right direction for the country and a burden lifted from the families who benefited. If you want to be considered Shepherds of your flock then protect them from worry.  The worry of finding good, affordable daycare. The wolf of worry is sinking 20% of families in debt over daycare costs.

Starting today and for the next six months eligible families with children up to age 17 will receive up to $300 a month per child as part of the American Rescue Plan.  While it represents only a third of the average monthly daycare cost, it’s a start.

This provision and the American Families Plan if allowed to come to fruition could improve and strengthen family life. Support this Shepherds. Getting out the door in the morning, fixing dinner plates and the bath/ bedtime routine along with the toys all over the floor, will all remain the same but a tiny part of the apprehension about the safety and education of the next generation will be abated just a little.

The pandemic brought out the activist in so many of us.  So, US Catholic Bishops, if your goal is to pressure politicians to do the right thing, do the right thing yourselves. One mediocre, vindictive vote directed at one person isn’t going to vanquish any wolves. If you want to affect positive on the human condition for generations to come then back the American Families Plan.

Catholic Bishops use your influence for it’s true purpose. Tend your flock. Advocate for American families. Make our politicians do the same.

Otherwise you reinforce the stereotype of farty, old white men.