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Names intimately connect us with our sense of identity. One of the first thoughts for expectant parents is what to name the baby. Our name is the first piece of information we offer when we meet someone new. Names tell us something about who we are. They can also give us a sense of mission. In our Judeo-Christian tradition, God sometimes gives a new name to those he calls to a special purpose — for example, Abram became Abraham, Sarai was renamed Sarah, and Cephas was called Peter. Our families are the immediate communities into which we are born. The infant and young child experience the family as his or her whole world. Children this age have little concept of a unique family identity. However, this changes when they enter larger communities (such as school or day care) for the first time. They begin to construct a family identity — the knowledge of the uniqueness of their own home and the people they call mother, father and siblings.  Although many influences are active in the lives of young children, including teachers, peers and media, psychological research tells us that parents are still the most important influence in a child’s life. When it comes to choices about new or ambiguous life situations, even teens report that their parents are their primary influencers. The family from which we come is important, and our particular families are identified by a family name. Family names are connected to reputation in many cultures throughout history. There exists a sense that when we are outside the home in the larger community, we represent the family to which we belong. Our sense of family identity helps us know we belong. It gives us direction, and serves as a compass for important decisions, especially those associated with moral values. The following are some ideas for strengthening a child’s sense of family identity: 1. Develop family rituals, especially around special occasions, but also around everyday events, such as bedtimes and mealtimes. 2. Make your family traditions and values explicit by talking about them. For example, when citing a rule or norm of your family life, you might wish to say, “In the Ramirez family, we use our words instead of fighting when we disagree.” 3. Connect family ideas and rules with faith and Catholic identity. This can help your children remain grounded in the values you’ve taught them, even during teen and young adult years. 4. Remind your children that they represent the family when they are away from home. Discuss practical ways in which they show who they are and where they come from as they interact with others. 5. Create meaningful visual symbols of your family. Hang a family portrait in your home. Find out if your family has a crest, and place it somewhere in your home. If none exists, work as a family and make your own crest, incorporating symbols of what makes your family special. The family is a gift from God, a special community created to help us learn to love God and others. Celebrate who we are as families and make your family name a sign of who God calls us to be. Our Naming Traditions“ What name do you give this child?” It is part of our Catholic tradition to give children the name of a saint at baptism. The saint’s name reminds us of our heritage and gives us a practical role model for following Christ. Sometimes this saint’s name is one that has been passed through the family (a sort of family “patron saint”), a favorite saint of the mother or father, or a saint whose feast day falls near the child’s birthday. Likewise, at confirmation it is traditional to take the name of a saint. This may be the same as the baptismal name, or another saint the young person has a special interest in due to a particular talent or quality he or she would like to emulate. This content comes to you from Our Sunday Visitor courtesy of your parish or diocese.

Faith Focus for the Week

Mt 2:1-12 The gentile wise men are people of faith. Their desire to pay homage to the Messiah stands in contrast to Herod whose only desire is to destroy anything that threatens his political power. The three follow the star and enter the house over which it shines. They see Mary and the child and kneel before him. May every nation come to know you, believe in you, and adore you, Lord Jesus Christ. This content comes to you from Our Sunday Visitor courtesy of your parish or diocese.