Item 1623 - Parents and children

1 p. of textual records

This item is a 1 page article by Henri Nouwen entitled, ‘Parents and Children’ published in The Denver Catholic Register, Wed. January 30, 1980, p.15. The heading of the page says ‘1980 Family Year’. This article is an excerpt from Nouwen, Henri, ‘Reaching Out, Image Books, Doubleday, N.Y. 1975. Nouwen introduces the article by speaking of the relationship between parents and children as one of hospitality. He says, ‘Our children are our most important guests, who enter into our home, ask for careful attention, stay for a while and then leave to follow their own way’. He suggests that children are strangers parents need to get to know. Parents offer a safe home where children can ask questions without fear. Nouwen points to Baptism, the child’s entry into the church community, as one important source of support in an increasingly isolating society. Nouwen concludes, ‘ A good host is not only able to receive his guests with honor and offer them all the care they need but also to let them go when their time to leave has come’.

Published in The Denver Catholic Register, January 30, 1980, p. 15.
This item is an excerpt from Nouwen, Henri, 'Reaching Out', Image Books, Doubleday, N.Y., 1975

Added by L Joson, 9 November 2017