PIER – FAQs
interested in pier… but need more info? great! here are some FAQ’s:
Q: Can Pier be used by individuals?
A: Yes. Pier is formatted to be used by families, but certainly can be used by individuals. Probably 75% of the content of the meditations is not specific to families, but to anyone in the Christian life. There is content in the meditations specifically geared to families, but anyone living within a family can still find this beneficial, even if reading the information alone. That said, individuals doing this type of prayer (Christian meditation) should be encouraged to read and listen specifically to what God might be asking them. Therefore they might either not want to use the meditation provided or, if they do, to still take time afterward to reflect on what particularly struck them.
Q: Can Pier be used by couples?
A: Yes. It is formatted to be used by families, but certainly can be used well by couples. Probably 75% of the content of the meditations is not specific to families, but to anyone in the Christian life. There is content in the meditations specifically geared to families, but even much of this is at the same time geared specifically for married couples.
Q: Can this take the place of our daily individual prayer?
A: No. This should not take the place of each family member’s personal prayer. In fact, parents will find the family prayer most fruitful when they bring their own reflections from prayer to the family prayer. (You can only give what you already have.) Even older children should be encouraged to do their own personal prayer each day. The exception to this rule, is perhaps very young children. Like in other areas, they might need to be lead in this activity, in which case Pier is suitable for their prayer. Pier is designed to be short so that a family can do it regularly and easily. It isn’t long enough to regularly satisfy the individual.
Q: Can I/we adjust this a bit if my/our children are very young?
A: Yes, we suggest you do make simple adjustments. For one, consider making it shorter as opposed to longer. As well, expect it to be a bit more messy and disorganized than if the children were older. Also, consider having something sensory in front of them: a picture book, a rosary, a statue, a religious toy, etc. for their attention. Finally, we encourage you to adjust the meditations. The meditations provided are meant as a guide. Use your own words. Use you own family life situations. Explain the scripture passage to your children to them in a way that they will understand according to their age and needs.
Q: Can I/we change the words of the meditation, or even use our own?
A: Yes. We encourage you to adjust the meditations. The meditations provided are meant as a guide. Use your own words. Use you own family life situations. Explain the scripture passage to your children to them in a way that they will understand according to their age and needs. Pier is set up so that parents are the leaders of prayer. We simply equip parents. Feel free to rely on the meditations as much or as little as you need.
Q: Do the meditations build off each other each day?
A: No. Since they follow the daily Mass Gospels, they often follow a Gospel story which knowing the entirety of is certainly helpful. Nevertheless, each meditation is “stand alone”. Families can start or pick back up on whatever calendar day they find themselves.
Q: Are there subsequent years of Pier?
A: At this point, no… and yes. The way the daily Mass Gospels rotate is as follows. The daily Gospels (Monday through Saturday) remain the same each year. The Sunday Gospels do change in a three year cycle. Pier has reflections for all the daily Gospels and for all three years of the Sunday Gospels. So subsequent years of Pier will have new reflections for each Sunday, but the same reflections as the previous year for Monday through Saturday. That said, many families will not have read Pier daily, but regularly during the year. Other families may enjoy revisiting the same passage with new light and a year of spiritual growth.
Q: Why don’t you encourage an entire Rosary?
A: The Rosary is meant to serve as a means by which to meditate on the “mysteries” and events in the life of Christ, and also in the Church. As well, it is perhaps the best bridge from “vocal” prayer to “mental prayer” (meditation). We encourage the Rosary strongly. The Blessed Virgin Mary has also told us to pray the Rosary. In Pier we encourage families to meditate on the mysteries of Christ’s life from the Gospels while praying a portion of the Rosary. But Pier is designed to help families (of all degrees of faith) successfully accomplish family prayer. For some families (i.e. those with small children) a shorter prayer may be most practically helpful. For other families (i.e. those with older children, or those who have more experience praying more lengthy daily prayers) an entire Rosary might be prayed using Pier. Individuals or families are still encouraged to pray an entire (or finish) the Rosary, even if outside their use of Pier.
Q: Can we forward or copy this for others?
A: No. But thanks (and read on). Pier is copyrighted material. Therefore, unauthorized duplication or distribution (copying, forwarding, etc) of Pier material is illegal. As well, Pier is given as a gift to School of Love’s donors (of $10+/month or $100+/year). These donations are part of the way that School of Love is able to support its uniquely needed mission for faith, marriage, & family. And Pier is a gift that is currently intricately associated with these donations. But please contact us if you would like to share Pier with a friends or family members, and we are happy to send them a free sample or trial period.
Q: Should we have discussion afterward?
A: Yes. Pier is designed that a couple would grow closer with God… but also grow closer to each other, at the same time. This time can give parents valuable insights into their children’s thoughts, struggles, situations, etc. Nevertheless, it might be wise to have some boundaries or limits on the typical nights. If family prayer goes too long regularly, it might discourage families from making it a regular part of their day?