Susy Solorza speaks to the participants of the Jan. 17 Building a Family of Faith workshop, which was held at St. Pius X Parish in Owensboro. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Navigating parenting with Building a Family of Faith workshops
BY RACHEL HALL, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Do you remember coming home from the hospital with a brand-new baby, and thinking, “Wait you’re just going to let me take this human home and raise him/her?” Have you ever wished someone would hand you a set of directions?
The day you were thrust into parenting is a real standout moment. As a parent, you are simply wanting to raise good humans, with strong moral compasses, who understand truly they are a child of God.
While not all of life’s answers are clear, there are people that dedicate their lives to walking with families through those questions. In the Diocese of Owensboro, several offices focused on youth and family ministry have come together to host a workshop series on Building a Family of Faith. The workshops are designed to help families by balancing practical tools with meaningful conversations.
On Jan. 17, the diocese hosted one such workshop at St. Pius X in Owensboro. Here, Susy Solorza, with the Hispanic/Latino Ministry Office, started by sharing both her professional experience and personal reflection. Solorza, who leads retreats with children and young adults, and now homeschools her own children after being a teacher for several years, emphasized that as a parent, you make the difference in your child’s faith lives.
She encourages parents to approach family life not with perfection, but with grace and awareness.
“Faith,” she said. “It is fuel for this life.” She invited parents to be present with their children and reminded them that turning to Jesus in the small moments makes it easier to do so in the hard ones.
Parents that gathered for breakout discussions reflecting on ways they already model joy in their faith life. Sydney and Issacc Warren, parents of young children, sat with Rachel and Trevor Crabtree, who are raising teenagers. Despite being in different seasons of parenting, both couples quickly agreed that shared family meals are a meaningful place to start.
Parents listen to Danny May during the Building a Family of Faith workshop on Jan. 17 at St. Pius X Parish in Owensboro. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Rachel and Trever shared one way they connect with their teens is simply by getting in the car together.
“We won’t have anywhere specific we’re driving,” Rachel said. “We’ll just hop in, maybe grab snacks.”
Trevor added, “Being away from distractions helps us really talk.”
Rachel laughed, noting, “Even our teenagers still love it.”
Little things add up to big things.
Charlie Hardesty, director of diocesan youth and young adult ministry, who is a parent of now middle schoolers himself, pinpointed a familiar conversation all parents have had with their kids.
You: “How was your day?”
The child: “Fine.”
To this he offered real-life strategies to get past the surface level answer and move the conversation into a more meaningful path.
Sydney and Isaac Warren, who enjoy camping, shared how getting away from it all sometimes helps their family reconnect. Limiting technology, spending time outdoors, and being close to grandparents have all helped shape their family culture. Highlighting the importance of prayer in the family and getting the kids be engaged, “We help them light the candles when we pray,” Sydney said, smiling, “sometimes when we forget, they remind us we need to pray and get out our candles.”
Danny May, diocesan director of marriage and family life, expanded on what family prayer life can look like in daily life. He discussed the importance of mixing your faith-based tools, using traditional prayers, such as the rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet, with other tools such as journaling or a devotional reading, and praying with saints. He also encouraged families to use technology intentionally, pointing to prayer apps and podcasts like The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz.
“We can be role models by what we put on our own screens,” May said. “It’s about finding what works for your family.”
The Diocese of Owensboro will continue hosting Building a Family of Faith workshops open to parents in all seasons of life. The next workshop will be held March 7 at St. Thomas More Parish in Paducah. Learn more at owensborodiocese.org/building-a-family-of-faith.
Charlie Hardesty smiles while presenting at the Building a Family of Faith workshop, which was held at St. Pius X in Owensboro on Jan. 17. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Originally printed in the February 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
