A Virtuous Family Life:

- Begins with the Sacraments; 

- Involves moral teaching whenever the opportunity presents itself;

- Places the mother and father in the role of moral educator.

The Institute for Family Health and Well-Being

The Institute for Family Health and Well-being (IFHWB) encourages and supports Catholic families, individuals, and couples to live fulfilling, enriching, and virtuous lives. The mission statement for IFHWB  is: 

"Helping Catholic women, couples, and families understand our Catholic faith and to learn simple ways to bring its concepts into their everyday lives." 

IFHWB helps Catholic families, individuals, couples, and organizations understand and align with the principles of living a virtuous life. This is a life consistent with the virtues identified by St. Thomas Aquinas. 

THE FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: 

- Prudence, or Practical Wisdom; 

- Temperance, or Self-Control; 

- Fortitude, or Courage; and 

- Justice, or Doing the Right and Good Thing. 

THE THREE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES: 

- Faith;

- Hope; and 

- Love.

Catholic families are perfectly situated to live virtuous lives because:

• they know and follow the Ten Commandments;
• they know and participate in the Sacraments;
• they follow the guidance provided by the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 
• they help their children participate in Faith Formation Classes or they send their children to Catholic Schools; 
• if they use public schools, they are involved in their child's education and know what is happening in their child's classroom;
• they attend Mass on a weekly basis;
• if they are able, they participate in Adoration, Bible Studies, or other opportunities to grow in holiness.

Living a virtuous life is a decision - it does not happen by accident - especially in a Post-Christian world. Choosing to align their lives with the teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as the Teachings and Traditions of the Catholic Church, Catholic Families are in a unique position to influence the culture in positive, holy, and virtuous ways. 

These families are called to interact with the culture and to bring their faith into the decisions they make to influence the world around them. They trust that the Holy Spirit is calling them to this important, holy work at this moment in history. They know they are not living in this time by accident. These families trust they have a mission to accomplish and they pray for the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit to equip them and their family members for the work He has in store for them!

If you are unsure of how to become a virtuous person, parent, or grandparent, purchase a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and begin reading it. 

You may also choose to listen to Fr. Mike Schmitz's podcast "Catechism in a Year."

Don't be afraid to become a virtuous, religious person and family!!

A document of the Second Vatican Council states:

"Parents, by word and example, are the first heralds of the faith with regard to their children." (Lumen Gentium, 11). Parents are the first and most important moral educators of their children.

These are a few concepts to help you and your family live a virtuous life:

1.) Living a virtuous life helps us know we have done the right and good things, in our decisions and actions every day, because we are following our conscience, which is formed by our faith;

2.) Virtuous parents know the virtuous life is their pathway to heaven;

 3.) Virtuous parents stand firmly for what they believe is right and good. and they teach their children to do the same;

4.) Virtuous parents teach virtuous living to their children and adolescents through being a good role model and example of the virtuous life; 

5.) Virtuous parents know that a virtuous Catholic family encourages the children and adolescents to make good, moral, ethical, virtuous decisions;

6.) Virtuous parents know the qualities of the father and mother of the family demonstrate the Cardinal and Theological virtues, which are actively chosen each day. These virtues become habits for them to help form their character;

7.) Virtuous parents know a virtuous child or adolescent understands the importance of making right and good decisions each day;

9.) Virtuous parents know a virtuous child or adolescent is growing in holiness and virtue each day, through the example set by the adults in their lives;

10.) Virtuous parents know we are all responsible to help create a virtuous world.

Thank you and God bless you all, Dr. Kate

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