Family Matters

Presvytera Melanie offers a reflection in honor of Archangel Michael and the angelic hosts, whose assistance and messages for us may be mostly invisible and inaudible to our physical senses; but at times get delivered through unassuming human helpers who ignite our spiritual perceptions.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Fr Panteleimon Papadopoulos about wisdom he received regarding marriage from an unlikely source.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month in the US, and Pres. Melanie welcomes Dr. Mary O'Callaghan, a mother, legal advocate, educator and ethicist in the Catholic Church who speaks on behalf of the human dignity of pre-born babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome and other disabilities. She discusses her research on the history of Selective Abortion, describes existing ministries which provide support to parents who receive difficult prenatal diagnoses, and offers hope-filled, alternative perspectives to parents, medical professionals, clergy, and church communities.

October is Blind Awareness Month in the US, and this conversation highlights the lived experience of Dr. Lauren Barron -- a licensed counselor, wife, and mother -- who humbly offers wise counsel for families experiencing diagnoses of disabilities and other life challenges. Blind herself, she found new insight regarding her disability when becoming Orthodox. Dr. Barron shares encouraging messages for families experiencing visual impairments, and tips for their seeing fellow parishioners.

Matushka Carrie Foley and Presv. Melanie present helpful advice for parents on easing into and building trust of support staff who will care for their vulnerable family members, as well as creative suggestions to make refreshing family vacations/getaways possible, even when budgets are tight.

Matushka Carrie Foley shares personal lessons learned regarding the vitalness of self-care and times of refreshment for sustainable caregiving. In Part 1 of 2 of this conversation, common roadblocks to rest and relaxation are addressed including guilt, anxiety, and lack of resources, along with practical suggestions for finding ways around them.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Christopher Chiakulas, founder of Orthodox Christian College Counseling, a platform that supports teenagers and their parents in navigating the high school journey, focusing on the college search, application, and selection process from an Orthodox perspective.

As many celebrate the USA's Independence Day, Presvytera Melanie reflects on the societal ideal of independence, examined through the lens of Trinitarian relationship and interdependence. How do families raising children with disabilities strike a balance in encouraging their children's independence, while being at peace with, and understanding where, extra supports are needed? How independent is any human being, truly? Saints Seraphim of Sarov and Theodore of Tobolsk help answer these questions.

Elissa Bjeletich Davis of AFR's Everyday Orthodox joins the Fully Human conversation, sharing her family's experience of serious, early childhood health challenges (and beyond) and the tragic passing of her infant son to SIDS. Presvytera Melanie and Elissa particularly focus on how the enemy of our souls can attempt to twist our fears and grief into destructive thoughts and actions, and what to do with misappropriated maternal guilt.

Fr Alex Goussetis speaks with Dr Edith Humphrey on the holy opportunities for parents and children while reading Scripture as a family.