St. Michael Parish announces family formation series focused on spiritual resilience
St. Michael Parish in Lincoln will hold a three-part series titled “Battle for the Family” on January 8, 15, and 22, 2026. The program is designed to help families strengthen their faith and remain steadfast amid what organizers describe as spiritual challenges facing marriages and families.
The series draws from Ephesians 6:10-18 and will be led by Father Cole Kennett, assistant pastor Father Ranil Weerackoon, and Joy Martin, director of discipleship. Topics will include the historical context of spiritual warfare, understanding the nature of spiritual opposition, the significance of the six pieces of the armor of God, and the role of prayer in overcoming adversity.
According to parish leadership, the initiative aims to inform parishioners about potential threats to family life and equip them for their spiritual responsibilities. “The evil one is in charge of this world, and he is the father of lies,” said Father Kennett. “Many of those lies permeate our culture, our hearts, and our families.”
The inspiration for the series comes from Kathleen Beckman’s book “A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare.” Joy Martin explained its relevance: “She encourages families as the domestic church to step up and fight with prudence and prayer, arming themselves with the Lord’s provision. The parish leadership team recognizes the struggles families face and desires to offer all members of the parish family opportunities for support and community.”
Organizers hope that attendees will gain a better understanding of spiritual challenges facing families today, develop a stronger commitment to their faith at home, and build unity within their parish community. The sessions are open to everyone without registration and will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in St. Michael School’s commons area. Each session includes teaching segments, small group discussions, and time for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
In addition to this series, St. Michael Parish will begin a six-week study called “Finding Freedom in Christ: Healing Life’s Hurts,” starting January 12. This program is led by professionals in psychology and psychotherapy and offers participants an opportunity to address personal wounds through guided discussion based on Dr. Matthew Breuninger’s book. Sessions run on Mondays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with more information available at https://www.stmichaellincoln.org/.
