Messy Family Project
Perfect for
Parents
HOSTS
Alicia Hernon
Mike Hernon
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Catholic conversations on marriage and family. Offering encouragement, practical advice, and suggestions for parents on this messy adventure.
Parenting is not a clean-cut, simple process for those who like to follow the rules. Family life is messy and unpredictable, but it is the greatest adventure you will ever have. We are Mike and Alicia Hernon, parents of 10 children with a growing number of grandchildren, and we would like to invite you into some of the conversations we have had with each other about marriage, parenting, and Catholic family life. Our hope is that our conversation sparks a dialogue between you and your spouse that leads to greater unity and intentional Christian parenting in your home. Listen in to our podcast and start the conversation as we seek to lead our families to heaven.
Visit us at https:///www/MessyFamilyProject.org for resources, guides, links and show notes.
“The devil is afraid of a united husband and wife.” —St. John Chrysostom
Summary
The family is Satan’s top target because it reflects God’s very nature and holds the foundation of civilization. Marriage isn’t just a social contract—it’s a sacrament with spiritual power, which makes it a threat to evil. The enemy’s strategy is subtle: sow disunity between spouses, confuse gender roles, exhaust parents, and replace faith formation with screens and busyness. By silencing prayer and fracturing family time, he slowly erodes the family’s ability to thrive spiritually. But families aren’t powerless. The fight starts with unity in marriage, sacrificial love, anchoring in prayer and the sacraments, and surrounding ourselves with like-minded families. The attack is real, but so is the remedy. A faithful, united, praying family is Satan’s worst nightmare. As St. John Paul II said, “The future of the world and of the Church passes through the family.” The path forward is clear—lead your family with faith, courage, and love.
Key Takeaways
The family mirrors the Trinity, which is why Satan targets it relentlessly.
Marriage is a spiritual battleground, not just a relationship.
Disunity, distraction, and distorted roles are key tools the enemy uses.
Prayer, unity, sacrifice, and community are how families fight back.
Couple Discussion Questions
Where do we feel the biggest spiritual attacks or distractions in our family life right now?
Are we modeling unity for our kids—or are we forgetting that our witness is just as important as our teaching?
What’s one practical change we can make this week to reclaim prayer or family time in our home?
