Everyday Holiness

Ralph D. Mitchell Jr. has been married to Denise Landry Mitchell for 38 years. Their two adult children graduated from Vandebilt Catholic. They now enjoy five grandchildren, two of which attend St. Bernadette Elementary. Ralph retired from the Louisiana State Police since 2010 and BP America in 2018, and since has been a private consultant. Ralph is a parishioner of St. Bernadette and is the President of the Pastoral Council and a member of the St. Bernadette Elementary Consultative Board.

 

How do you pursue holiness in your everyday life?

I try to make a conscious effort to be mindful of my thoughts and to be aware of negative or judgmental thinking. I regularly study scripture and make it a point to read and study the daily readings for Mass. I pray first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I use several free and subscription-based services to listen to podcasts, daily reflections, and other videos to broaden my understanding of the Gospel and the Catechism. Formed is a very valuable free service offered by the Church. Finally, I seek out opportunities to show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness in my daily interactions.
 

How do you model faithfulness for your family?

I think it is important to act, live, and demonstrate your faith. I serve as an acolyte at St. Bernadette’s weekly Masses and have, with the guidance of Fr. Andre Melancon, started my own personal ministry in which I serve as an acolyte for Funeral Masses. I am an officer in both the Knights of Columbus Council 7355 and Assembly 2322. Serving as President of the Pastoral Council at St. Bernadette allows me to help with decisions for the long-term benefit of the church. With the support of Fr. Andre, I am the developer and coordinator of a one-day Men’s Conference at St. Bernadette which started last year. I facilitate and I am the coordinator of Adult Faith Formation at St. Bernadette and facilitate a Thursday night group called “Breaking Open the Word.” Finally, I will be a retreat team member for the ACTS Men’s Retreat in July 2024. 

 

How does your faith influence your marriage?

Early in my marriage, I witnessed my wife’s and her family’s faith as a Catholic. I was basically a “None.” We made the decision to go through RCIA and join the Catholic Church. My wife was a big supporter. I felt it important to not send mixed signals to my children. It is important for me to love my wife as Christ loves the Church, and I must set her needs above my own. Going through the RCIA process early in my marriage the then sending our children to Catholic school allowed us to build a life together and create a strong foundation in our marriage. The Bible emphasizes communication and forgiveness. Open communication allows us to address issues honestly and sets the stage for forgiveness as God forgives us.

 

What have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in your marriage?

We view our marriage as a team, growing in faith and love together. The ability to compromise, understand and support, and recognize the need of your spouse are important.  Marriage is not a 50 – 50 proposition. Both spouses must give 100% all the time. Go back and read your wedding vows from time to time. “In sickness as in health, in good times as in bad, for better or for worse, and for richer or for poorer” all have real and lifelong implications. If you don’t mean it, don’t say it. Follow the advice in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

 

How have you persevered through difficulties and what would you say to others experiencing this struggle?

Hard times are prime moments for honest prayer. Express your doubts, fears, and frustrations to God. Plead for strength and guidance. Immerse yourself in scripture. Find passages that resonate with your struggles and offer comfort and hope. The Bible is full of stories of people overcoming adversity through faith. Regularly attending Mass, receiving the Eucharist, and going to Confession can provide spiritual nourishment and renewal to provide space to address the current issue. Don’t isolate yourself. Connect with your church community, a prayer group, or a trusted friend. Sharing your struggles and receiving support from others who understand your faith can be a powerful source of strength. 

 

What advice would you give to families about passing on their faith to their children?

These are challenging times. If you model your faith and stick by your own values, your children will understand, believe, and live our Catholic faith. Remember, faith is a journey, not a destination.  There will be times of doubt and difficulty. The key is to keep practicing your faith, even when it’s hard. Through these practices and God’s grace, you can find strength and emerge from challenging times with an even stronger faith.