Mike Pacer is with the BeatiDudes to talk about the gritty, grace-filled reality of Catholic marriage and fatherhood. From why kids actually want boundaries to how husbands can shift from praying “next to” to praying “with” their wives, Mike lays out a hopeful, practical path: witness first, build a shared spirituality, make joy a decision, and apologize quickly.
Paul Kolker, Nick Bezner, and Jeff Schiefelbein laugh their way through Ignatian holy water, Latin(ish) dad jokes, and a peek behind the scenes of 5 Stones’ work with the Eucharistic Congress.
Top Takeaways
· Witness > Words: Your kids imitate what you do before they believe what you say.
· Love = Willing the Good: Love isn’t a butterfly; it’s a choice repeated daily, especially when it costs you.
· Pray Together, Not Just “Next To”: Stop forcing your spouse into your style; discover a shared spirituality through dialogue and humility.
· Boundaries Are Love: Discipline that trains, not shames.
· Entrance Prayer: Before you walk in the door, pause and pray because your primary vocation is waiting at home.
· Joy on Purpose: Temperaments differ, but joy can be a decision in service of love.
· Own It Fast: The quickest way to lead at home? Admit faults and apologize to your wife and your kids.
Practical Challenge (Do This Today)
· Text of Blessing: Send your wife a simple, sincere note, no agenda, just love.
· Hidden Service: Do one chore she’ll never notice… because you did it before it became a burden.
· Couple Prayer Plan: Choose one shared devotion for the week (e.g., Divine Mercy Chaplet in the car; a decade after dinner; or a bedtime psalm).
· Driveway Pause: Say a short prayer in the car before entering the house.
Learn more about 5 Stones
https://www.linkedin.com/company/5-stones/posts/?feedView=all
Books by Mike Pacer
The Three Comings of Christ - Daily Meditations for Advent
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