It is so fitting and exciting that we have the pleasure to announce on the
Baptism of the Lord that WWPR is having a Safe Haven Sunday on the weekend of
February 7. We can only chalk it up to Divine Providence. God always knows best!
At our Baptisms, in addition to the incredible gifts of the cleansing of original sin and the conforming of our souls to Christ, we are given the light of Christ. Our parents and godparents promise to protect that light—to keep it burning brightly! Priests, catechists, grandparents, and other family members have the privilege and duty to share in that responsibility. You all do an incredible job protecting them from so many dangers that threaten to dim the light of Christ within them.
It is because you love your children and grandchildren. You know them better than anyone else. You use that love to teach how to avoid danger and stay safe. You teach them to come to you when they are in danger.

As technology becomes more accessible, children have greater access to harmful material. When they encounter such content, reason doesn’t kick in. Their emotions are so strong that they feel confused, dirty, and fear that they will get in trouble if they talk about it with a parent or guardian. We know that this is the furthest from the truth—you would love them and be proud of them for having the courage to tell you about what they saw! However, this hope doesn’t change the fact that the average age of initial exposure to pornography is somewhere between ages 8 and 11. About half of the initial exposures are accidental, around 40% are when they are shown it by another, and only about 10% of the cases do children intentionally seek to access it. Tragically, only a small portion of children told someone on the same day that the initial exposure occurred—9% of girls and 7% of boys. If they do not immediately disclose, it likely will not be revealed until adulthood, if ever.

So, what is Safe Haven Sunday? It is a movement published by Covenant Eyes to help support and provide resources to maintain open, healthy, and honest lines of communication between children and their parents when they see someone that makes them feel uncomfortable online—sexual, violent, scary, etc. In Covenant Eyes’ own words: “Safe Haven Sunday is a weekend set aside within … parishes to directly address the societal harms of pornography. Within the context of the Mass, parishes are able to provide teaching and resources that will support and protect individuals, marriages, and families in making all homes a safe haven.”
For more information please visit: https://learn.covenanteyes.com/safe-haven-Sunday/
 
All of this gives me so much hope! We can change this narrative through supporting warm, open, and honest communication between children and their parents that love them! If you feel overwhelmed, it’s OK, we want to support you and walk this journey with you.

We will be passing out a small free book, Equipped, from Covenant Eyes at Masses during the February 7 Safe Haven Sunday weekend. Please keep a lookout for other information and resources from us as we approach Safe Haven Sunday. Please know of our prayers, and don’t hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can do. We look forward to Safe Haven Sunday!
 
In Mary’s Immaculate Heart,
Fr. McCullough and Fr. Stegbauer