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Orthodox Christian Parenting, hosted by Faithtree Resources Executive Director (and mom of four!) Michelle Moujaes, is a weekly podcast for parents and grandparents navigating the holy struggle of raising kids in the Orthodox Faith. Each episode offers honesty, encouragement, and practical wisdom from the Church—creating space to exhale, freedom from the pressure to be perfect, and openness to grow as you raise children who are deepening their knowledge and love of Christ.
Children, their attention span is limited, and they're pulled in a 100 different directions.
Michelle Moujaes:True.
Father Michael Prevas:Whether it be from just devices, homework, activities, sports, friends, social media, they're pulled in every direction possible, and the church is trying to fight for their time. What they realize is for us as parents is the gifts they have are given to them by God. And therefore, in order to cultivate those gifts, we have to keep them close to the church.
Michelle Moujaes:Welcome to Orthodox Christian Parenting, where we bring the church's timeless wisdom into the everyday chaos of raising kids. I'm Michelle Moujaes, and I'm so glad that you're here. You know, I love the story that I so often hear from Orthodox parents of five year olds or six year olds, and it's a boy wrapping a towel around his shoulders like a vestment, waving a spoon around like a sensor, blessing the dog with total seriousness. Or it's a girl who teaches Sunday school to all of her dolls that are lined up in her bedroom on the floor. And as parents, we laugh, and we take the picture.
Michelle Moujaes:And then more often than we'd probably like to admit, we never really think about it again. Well, here's a question for us to sit with today. What if that five or six year old wasn't just playing? What if they were showing us in the clearest language that a five or six year old has exactly what they were made for? Because here's what our tradition teaches and what I think we as parents forget in the middle of carpool lines and homework and just getting everyone fed every night.
Michelle Moujaes:Every child God gives us arrives with gifts already inside them. Not hobbies, true gifts. And those gifts were never meant to end with the child. Saint John Chrysostom says true wisdom is to know God and to respond to him. And one of the clearest ways our children will ever respond to the love of God is by taking whatever He's placed in their hands and turning around and giving it to someone else.
Michelle Moujaes:That's our job as parents. Not only to keep our kids safe and fed and morally upright, although God knows that's hard enough on most days anyway. But really our job is to raise sons and daughters who know their lives and know that their lives are not primarily about themselves, who grow up assuming the way they assume the sun will rise, that whatever gift they were given exists so that they can give something back to the world in Christ's name. So today, we're talking about what it looks like to help cultivate our children's God given purpose so that they can use it to impact this world for his glory. And it'll look different for all of our kids, be sure.
Michelle Moujaes:Perhaps some will be priests or deacons, or maybe some will even be monastics or missionaries. And God willing, there'll be a ton of faithful lay leaders in the church that because our church so desperately needs that. But this conversation is not really about recruiting sons or daughters into seminary. It's more about whether we as parents are raising children who know how to notice a calling in any form it takes and who have the courage to say yes when they see it. My guest today has a story that makes this conversation so concrete.
Michelle Moujaes:So let's get right into it. My guest today is father Michael Prevas, presiding priest at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Northridge, California, where he has served since 2015. Before that, he spent eleven years shepherding Resurrection Parish in Castro Valley, and before that, two years at Saints Peter and Paul in Glenview, Illinois, right after his ordination. He studied at Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, graduating with highest distinction from both. He and his wife, Presutera Matia, are raising four children.
Michelle Moujaes:And here's the detail I cannot get over. Father Michael is the forty third young man ordained to the priesthood out of his home parish alone. 43. A single community on the West Side Of Chicago. 43 priests from one parish.
Michelle Moujaes:So that means that's not an accident. Something in that community taught child after child that their gifts belong to God and to the people around them. And today, we're gonna find out what that was and what it looks like to build the same thing in our own homes. Father Michael, welcome to this podcast.
Father Michael Prevas:Michelle, thank you so much for having me. What a pleasure
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, it's so exciting.
Father Michael Prevas:With you.
Michelle Moujaes:I can't believe 43. Tell me a little bit. Before we get into anything else, tell me a little bit about what that parish was like and growing up. What was the culture that so many young men pursued the priesthood from one church?
Father Michael Prevas:You know, that church just celebrated its one hundredth year.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, nice.
Father Michael Prevas:It's like the flagship church of the Chicagoland area. For years, that school had a the church had a parochial school Okay. In Plato. When my mother went to that school, they had nearly a thousand students Wow. In a church parochial school.
Michelle Moujaes:Wow.
Father Michael Prevas:During that time, the church had four active full time priests. They have a church upstairs dedicated to the dormition of the mother of God, and underneath, a chapel to the great martyr, Saint Catherine. Wow. It sounds like a chapel, but the chapel seats nearly 300 people. That's how many young people grew up and lived and were cultivated through that community.
Father Michael Prevas:The church had priests who were trailblazers, innovative, creative. And because of the school, because of the presence of the holy altar and how they served, 43 young men, clergy, deacons, lay leaders, missionaries, monastics, hierarchs as well all coming out of that number of 43. It's literally unparalleled.
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah. Yeah. So when you were there, like, tell me about the day to day. It was just part of the vibe of that community, or was it something that they directly spoke into? Or maybe if they saw someone who had a specific gifting, was someone there to kind of fan the flames of that?
Michelle Moujaes:Like, what practically took root so that you knew, okay. I might go this route. That culture was always there because everybody knew the history. Okay.
Father Michael Prevas:People respected it. They showed a a sincere love of the priesthood and what that brought to the people and what that meant to the church community. When I was a young boy in altar, there were so many wonderful examples, older boys who were just so pivotal in helping us understand the importance of the divine services, maintaining the dignity of the service, how to serve as a young man, but our priests were dynamite. They sang well. They were prepared in their sermons.
Father Michael Prevas:Their vestments were great. They had a special understanding of the dignity of the office of the priesthood that literally attracted us to it without talking to us about it.
Michelle Moujaes:So you're saying that the call out was this role of the priest is respected and venerated and an important service. And so the kind of by osmosis, people had a respect and like, that seems very desirable. Sometimes when I think about my own children, I'm like, oh, missionary work, that'd be super hard. But if I I looked at it with maybe a little bit more reverence, maybe they would be more inclined to follow that if that's what God called them to.
Father Michael Prevas:It's so interesting when you think of the example that these priests who served in their community set. They didn't push young men to be priests. They just attracted us. The way they carried themselves, the way they served, the way they ministered to the people was evident. And it attracted young men and inspired us not only to serve in the priesthood, but how are we gonna carry ourselves as young men and eventually as grown men and maybe even as husbands.
Father Michael Prevas:So their example was literally second to none.
Michelle Moujaes:So what did it look like? Like, they were just extra nice. They were more loving, sacrificial. Like, what was that?
Father Michael Prevas:They were serious.
Michelle Moujaes:Okay.
Father Michael Prevas:They were purposeful. They were prayerful. They didn't joke around in the holy altar.
Michelle Moujaes:Okay.
Father Michael Prevas:They weren't mean. They were strict, but they were loving. The example was just pure.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, I love it.
Father Michael Prevas:And because of it, it just attracted a lot of us to really consider, not necessarily even just being a priest, but to be like them. The most important thing we can do as parents, really, in understanding our children's gifts and talents is keeping them close to the church and keeping them close to God. We have so many things that pull our attention.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm. Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:Our children, their attention span is limited, and they're pulled in a 100 different directions.
Michelle Moujaes:True.
Father Michael Prevas:Whether it be from just devices, homework, activities, sports, friends, social media, they're pulled in every direction possible, and the church is trying to fight for their time. What they realize is for us as parents is the gifts they have are given to them by God. And therefore, in order to cultivate those gifts, we have to keep them close to the church. And the church has to be our priority as parents. Because if it becomes a secondary priority or something that happens once in a while and doesn't exist within the home, those gifts and that excitement, that enthusiasm, it wanes.
Michelle Moujaes:It wanes. That's fair. My mom used to say to us all the time, you want your kids to love the church, you better take them there. And I think there's great wisdom in that. This idea of you know, it's really hard even with people.
Michelle Moujaes:Like, if you love people or you have family, but you never see them and you never talk to them, it's hard to keep that relationship really alive. So I think there's great wisdom in that. When we talk about like, let's just define terms for a second. When we talk about the next generation of Orthodox leaders. So I heard you say from your home parish, you had hierarchs, you had clergy, deacons, priests, obviously, all clergy.
Michelle Moujaes:You had, ministry leaders. So if we're gonna raise the next generation of Orthodox leaders, does everybody have to have a defined role in the church, or is it that people can use their giftings? However use they use their giftings. What would that look like?
Father Michael Prevas:I think everybody has to use their gifts of whom what God has given them. Because sometimes we think of gifts and talents of people who are unique professionals, doctors, attorneys, accountants, people who can use their professional gifts to really benefit the church. Yet people who are good at baking, sewing, using their hands, every single gift that we have can be used to benefit the church. And therefore, when you do that, it becomes more of an inclusive community showing that everybody's gift, no matter how highly it's looked upon, can be very beneficial for the life of the church. Because those who bake, those who sow, those who are good with their hands to help fix things
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:Are as valuable as anyone else in the life of the church, and they are needed tremendously to help build up the community.
Michelle Moujaes:So it's not just someone who goes to seminary and is ordained, but really people who are committed to helping the actual life of the parish thrive. Is that it?
Father Michael Prevas:Well, like Saint Paul says, Saint Paul says, we are the lay people are part of the royal priesthood. In order to be a part of that royal priesthood, how do they use their gifts to really build up the body of Christ? Because the church needs good lay leaders.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:The church doesn't just need everyone who has a little inkling to run to the seminary. The church needs productive laypeople who can help assist and run youth programs, can serve on the parish councils, can serve on the philanthropic societies, can be dedicated teachers in Sunday schools, good role models and examples, sing in the choir, assist the priest in the services of the altar to chant. There are countless ways that the church can use and needs productive, qualified, qualified, devoted lay leaders.
Michelle Moujaes:So as parents, what can we do to cultivate that in our kids? Like, what would that look like? Like, do you speak like, I think of your 43 priest at your church. Did someone say, you know what? You could I could see you as clergy.
Michelle Moujaes:I could see that as someone, like, naming it for you, or is it calling out, you're a really great speaker. You should think about being in some position that or a singer, whatever. Right? Like, how how would we encourage our children to cultivate those gifts?
Father Michael Prevas:So to cultivate that, first and foremost, we have to have our children in church. Once they're in church, we can find ways to use their gifts. My daughter sings in the choir, and she loves it.
Michelle Moujaes:She does.
Father Michael Prevas:My boys all served in the altar. They participated in the Saint John Christosomore rhetorical festival, the ministries, the youth programs, the cultural programs. And through that, they developed relationships throughout the entire community, but we have to have them in church. And that's one area that we parents, we struggle with today. Mhmm.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm. Because you're right. There are so many distractions, and people are all vying for our attention. But I keep hearing you say it's experience. They need to have the experience of being there, and the gifts and the natural outlets will kind of come.
Michelle Moujaes:Is that right?
Father Michael Prevas:The natural gifts, they start understanding where their gifts lie. Mhmm. And while they may not be the greatest speaker, they may not be a singer, they can help. They can support. They can give.
Father Michael Prevas:They can show kindness to others. Mhmm. There's a variety of ways which young people can participate in just understanding, how the faith impacts them and how it can impact others. Just by participating in youth group events, our children are even though they're Orthodox, they're all very different.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:And they get involved with kids of different ages, and they become role models. Our older ones help in Greek dance for the younger kids, so they become role models. It helps them through leadership opportunities even through high school. They gain community service hours.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:Different ways that they can learn to serve and give back to the church. And when the parents bring them and it's consistent for the children, it's natural, and it's enjoyable.
Michelle Moujaes:Way to say it. That's a great way to say it. I like it. It it's becomes part of this is what our family does. Do you think there's ever this is gonna be a dicey question.
Michelle Moujaes:Is there ever a place where you could say, that's probably not your gift? Like, I'm just thinking about singing. Mhmm. Is there ever a time where you'd be like, you know what? Maybe you should serve in a different way?
Father Michael Prevas:There are those, but, you know, they can read. Okay. A lot of the boys who serve in the altar, they may not I typically try to have them read and participate to see who might have a gift for it. But either way, I make sure they read. I make sure they lead.
Father Michael Prevas:I make sure they find leadership roles within the altar to help them understand what leadership looks like.
Michelle Moujaes:I love that.
Father Michael Prevas:Because I don't want them to be that bashful kid in the corner like I was.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm. Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:I would have never taken a leadership role because I would never have sung in front of somebody. I would have never spoken in front of a crowd. And oftentimes, those children can get overlooked. It really becomes the job of the priest to really have that relationship with them to bring their gifts forward to show them even though you may not sing, believe me, there is a place for
Michelle Moujaes:you. There's a place for you. I love that. So as parents, is there is there, like, a set of, best practices that you would offer for us? Like, step one, take your kid to church.
Michelle Moujaes:Step two, see where they're naturally inclined. Like, you know, we always laugh here that I'm a step by step girl, which is not really the Orthodox way. But if there was a if there was a kind of set of actions that parents could grow in to help cultivate their children's gift, what what would that look like?
Father Michael Prevas:Well, I like step by step, actually.
Michelle Moujaes:For saying it. That makes me feel better. Yeah. I'm I'm super like a checklist kinda gal.
Father Michael Prevas:Well, I'm married to a checklist type of gal. So
Michelle Moujaes:Very good.
Father Michael Prevas:Step one, bring them to church. We have to understand that number one, we are raising Orthodox Christians. Most likely, we're not raising kids who are gonna be division one athletes.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:Most sports today are on Sunday mornings.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:Practices, games, tournaments somehow all start between eight and 09:00 in the morning on Sunday.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:They wrap up around noon, and people then have the, quote, unquote, rest of the day. If we take our children to all these different activities and they miss their youth in the church, They miss their formation. They miss seeing where their gifts lie in the church. What gifts God has given them and how they can help mature those gifts to be able to give back. Because when they're not in the church, they miss out.
Father Michael Prevas:Mhmm. They really don't have a connection with the community, with some of the other young people, and the parents are very pulled, and they're conflicted. Do I put them in sports? Do I bring them to church? Because the coach tells me, if I don't go to sports on Sunday morning, they won't play.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:Other parents will tell you, the train or the team bus is leaving. And we feel as parents, if we're not on the train or on the team bus, we're gonna miss out.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm. Or worse, our kids are gonna miss out. Like, we would even but we feel like we're hurting them.
Father Michael Prevas:We feel like we're hurting them. We feel like they're holding holding them back. So we typically will choose sports, and therefore, what suffers is the church. And when the kids miss out, then we're fighting later on in life on how to bring them back
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah.
Father Michael Prevas:And how to help help them understand what place the church has in their life and what they can do to help enhance the church. Mhmm. So it's the first step one, I would say through step 10, bring them to church.
Michelle Moujaes:Okay. I like it. Is there a step 11?
Father Michael Prevas:Once you get to that point, then the children realize that church is a priority. When they see the church as a priority, they start to enjoy it. They wanna be involved. Mhmm. They wanna help, and they want to use their gifts, in a meaningful way.
Father Michael Prevas:They don't just wanna go to the altar or be in the choir. They wanna find other ways that they can be involved. They wanna see if there are service projects, if there's ways to give back through, meaningful acts of philanthropy. And then when you see that, then it's reinvigorating for the whole community to see what unbelievable gifts these young people have, and their enthusiasm is infectious Mhmm. Through the whole community.
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah. And I think that's where relationships are built. If we don't have relationships with people in the church, it does kinda get hard to go there. Right? If you don't know anyone or you feel like a stranger, if it's a Sunday only kind of thing, that draw is is so much lessened.
Michelle Moujaes:Like, you don't have that desire to be with your people.
Father Michael Prevas:And it's important for us because, typically, we all agree that the church is not only a priority for us, but more importantly, these are people that have similar desires in raising their children well.
Michelle Moujaes:Right.
Father Michael Prevas:Their priorities are aligned. And God willing, it's a place where all of us, have healthy relationships, not things that divide us like politics, but things that bring us together like tradition
Michelle Moujaes:I love it.
Father Michael Prevas:And the and the beliefs of the church. So when we have those relationships, they strengthen us, and then it becomes easy for our children to have important, meaningful, good friendships with people in the church and not just some of the other friends and or acquaintances they gained through their schooling years.
Michelle Moujaes:Love it. What would it look like if, let's say, one of your children came to you? Like, let's say your son came to you and said, I think I could be called to consider becoming a priest. Like, what's the next line out of our mouths as parents?
Father Michael Prevas:That's a pretty overwhelming conversation. Yeah. Yeah. It's so overwhelming. Especially since I've had it.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, are you serious? Wait. You have a son who wants to go to seminary?
Father Michael Prevas:We have two sons
Michelle Moujaes:Ah, god bless
Father Michael Prevas:in seminary.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh my goodness. Good for you. That's beautiful.
Father Michael Prevas:So interestingly, our oldest son
Michelle Moujaes:Okay.
Father Michael Prevas:Who just turned 23 a few weeks back, when he was a junior in high school, came up to me and said, dad, I don't wanna be a priest. I said, that's fine. Why are you he said, well, I always figured that's what you wanted from me. Aw. I said, Costa, all I wanted is for you to be close to the church.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, I love it.
Father Michael Prevas:I wanted you to learn how to sing because you have a great voice. I wanted you to learn how to chant. That way no matter where you go, you could always find a way to serve the church.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, that's so good.
Father Michael Prevas:So his first two years of college, he didn't go to the seminary. While he was away, he then called and said, dad, I wanna transfer to Hellenic College.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, wow.
Father Michael Prevas:At the same time, my second son, who was in his junior year of high school, said to me, dad, I wanna go to seminary. Wow. Coming from the household of a priest, I said, please tell me that you wanna do this because this is what you wanna do, and you're not following me. This decision and this journey has to be yours. After they ensured me that the decision was theirs, my first response was, you need to find a priest and a spiritual father
Michelle Moujaes:Great.
Father Michael Prevas:Because I'm your dad. Yeah. I cannot be objective
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:In this realm.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, that's so good.
Father Michael Prevas:And you have to find someone you trust. And when you find that person and you have those conversations, please do not share them with me. That's an intimate relationship that you have to have and cultivate through your life. So interestingly, when they have that conversation with you, take it seriously. Okay.
Father Michael Prevas:Guide them to their priest to help them gain a clearer understanding what that may look like. Have him provide some direction. And if not the parish priest, maybe another priest that they've built a relationship through summer camp or through another platform because there's only sometimes so much we can offer as parents. Mhmm. Because sometimes the priesthood is just very unfamiliar to us.
Father Michael Prevas:The one thing I would avoid, if I may. Sure. Please don't discourage them.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, I mean, it's that's something that happens. That's something that happens.
Father Michael Prevas:It happened to me.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, it did?
Father Michael Prevas:Because you can be a doctor. You can be a lawyer. You can be an engineer. You can make a lot more money. Yeah.
Father Michael Prevas:You can maybe have a career where a priest is oftentimes criticized, talked about.
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah. I mean, it's not always the easiest road.
Father Michael Prevas:It's not the most glamorous.
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah. It's not the most glamorous. So I I do understand that parents wanna protect and say, hey. So if I could just push in on that for parents, because I have heard that story. In fact, I know of one priest in the Antiochian archdiocese.
Michelle Moujaes:His grandmother, we heard this story, went to the bishop and bribed him with money. Please don't just kick him out. Kick him out. And he was like, what are you talking about? But, I would just wonder, can you tell us a little bit about what is the impact of that discouragement?
Michelle Moujaes:So if a young man feels he is called to pursue the priesthood and parents are discouraging, what's the receipt of that? What's that look like on the other side?
Father Michael Prevas:I think for a young boy who's considering picking up his cross and going to seminary and feeling discouraged, it can be one of the most deflating feelings because he won't just feel that he's not encouraged or supported. He might even feel that the church either doesn't want him or doesn't need him. Oftentimes for young boys, encouragement and support are the only two things they need.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm. I think that's really true, actually.
Father Michael Prevas:If they feel supported and they feel the church has a place for them
Michelle Moujaes:It's good.
Father Michael Prevas:It's an overwhelming amount of enthusiasm and joy. Because you don't ever wanna discourage someone pursuing their dream, let alone for a boy going into the priesthood. Secularly, it may sound better that they're gonna be a business professional or an entrepreneur. But for the life of the church Mhmm. There is no greater joy for a community than to hear that one of their sons Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:One of their altar boys is pursuing the priesthood. Mhmm. For our church at Saint Nicholas, the support and the love and the joy our two sons receive from the community, they would not get if they chose any other profession. Sure. But because they're people from the church, they think it's the most honorable thing in the world.
Michelle Moujaes:Sure. Sure. Because you're coming back as a servant, which is what we're called to do anyway. Right? And and what more beautiful way?
Michelle Moujaes:Okay. So now let me press in on the other side. There is this feeling that lots of people now, maybe before they're even really, maturing, you know, young people, a lot of people are are looking for that to be a next step. Is there ever a place to say, like, k. Hold on.
Michelle Moujaes:Not everybody was called to clergy. Does that make sense?
Father Michael Prevas:It does. It's an interesting question and probably a little bit more prevalent today than in years past because, fortunately, there's a tremendous tidal wave
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:Into Eastern Orthodoxy
Michelle Moujaes:Yes, there is.
Father Michael Prevas:Over these last years. And even more so, I think there's been a tremendous tidal wave of young men. Mhmm. And a lot of them are very enthusiastic. They see the pre serving.
Father Michael Prevas:They're developing a relationship with him. They see the altar boys. They never served as altar boys in the church like many of us did who are cradle born. And many of them feel that right off the bat, because their enthusiasm is at its peak that they want to go to seminary. Some of them may make excellent priests, but truth be told, it's probably better that they wait.
Father Michael Prevas:Mhmm. Like, I've even had this discussion with his eminence, the archbishop of America, El Pidophoros Okay. That they should be Orthodox at least five years
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:Before enrolling so that they can start to develop a sense of a liturgical awareness, a a mindset, that can help them understand what the church and the faith looks like instead of just having this enthusiastic, overzealous young man enter into seminary when he hasn't had time to develop and to have some spiritual formation.
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Father Michael Prevas:So it's not discouraging him in its entirety. It's just not yet.
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Like, let's grow a little bit, which I mean, I I always I always you know, it's that saying, like, I was such a good parent before I had kids. I could tell everyone how to do it.
Michelle Moujaes:And then I had kids, and I was I don't know. Like, hang on, everyone. And I think there is something about, really being a part of a community and a part of the church and looking at all of the old ladies and old men and, like, learning the ways That's right. And then discerning, okay. Now let's take it to the next step.
Michelle Moujaes:I I think there's great wisdom in that. Okay. I'll take it. Let's keep going. If I were, to have your bride here with you and I was to ask her, is there anything you two would say, you know what?
Michelle Moujaes:This probably helped two of our sons wanna pursue seminary and possibly the priesthood. Is there anything you could put your finger on that would be what really encouraged them?
Father Michael Prevas:I think she would say because the church is every part of our life.
Michelle Moujaes:I love it.
Father Michael Prevas:They were encouraged to play club sports. They were told they would be much better. They were told they were gonna play at the collegiate level. They were told they would not be able to make a varsity team. They not only made varsity teams, they started.
Michelle Moujaes:So you're saying if you don't show up on Sundays and you're gonna prioritize church, you're never gonna play varsity. And that did not actually pan out to be true.
Father Michael Prevas:That did not pan out
Michelle Moujaes:to I love it.
Father Michael Prevas:When my daughter went to high school, she was told by the athletic director, I wouldn't even try out. Oh. Because you won't make the team. Okay. She had just graduated eighth grade and was told flat out, you will not make the team.
Michelle Moujaes:Boo.
Father Michael Prevas:And when she on her car ride home, she cried. I said, honey, they take the best, and that's what you'll be. Okay. Good. And she started.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, she did? Way to go.
Father Michael Prevas:And she was pivotal, and she was unbelievable. And from her freshman year, and her sophomore year got moved up to varsity.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh my goodness. And was still in church on Sundays.
Father Michael Prevas:And was still in church on Sunday.
Michelle Moujaes:I think that's a really important call out. I feel like we tell ourselves a story that doesn't have to be true. Like, people work it out. You know, people can figure it out. It's not always easy, and it's not always like this clean road.
Michelle Moujaes:But you can say, coach, this is a priority. I'm really great. I'm a hustler. I'm gonna work hard, but I will be in church on Sundays. And I don't think it's an automatic, like, well, then if you don't do it this way, you can't.
Michelle Moujaes:You know, I hear that story again and again of, like, actually, one of Mhmm. Our cameraman over here, if I can break the fourth wall, told me his daughter said they said, listen. We wanna be a part of the softball team, and we're going to participate, but we will be in liturgy on Sundays. Mhmm. And they move the practices.
Michelle Moujaes:Like, it's possible. So, anyway, I just wanna call it out. Like, it doesn't have to be doom and gloom.
Father Michael Prevas:It doesn't have to
Michelle Moujaes:be a way to do both.
Father Michael Prevas:And interestingly, our kids went to Catholic high schools, and we're still told that
Michelle Moujaes:That you have to be there on
Father Michael Prevas:have to be at club sports.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, man.
Father Michael Prevas:But, you know, it it comes down to what are our priorities as parents.
Michelle Moujaes:Right.
Father Michael Prevas:Again, we felt we, no matter what, were raising Orthodox Christians.
Michelle Moujaes:That's first. That's great.
Father Michael Prevas:Would they be collegiate athletes? Lord knows. But we knew they were going to be Orthodox Christians.
Michelle Moujaes:Good, father.
Father Michael Prevas:So I would think she we were aligned on what were our priorities. Sometimes it hurt the kids. They disagreed with us.
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:But we were okay.
Michelle Moujaes:That's okay.
Father Michael Prevas:Yeah. There's one area we are aligned much how, like, we were raised. Our children are not our friends.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh my gosh. That's great. We are their parents. Yeah.
Father Michael Prevas:We are not their friends. They have friends.
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah.
Father Michael Prevas:Yeah. If they have friends in my generation, there's a problem.
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah. Yeah. That's great, father.
Father Michael Prevas:We did our best to guide them, to love them, to encourage them, to support them. And if there were things they disagreed, we were okay with that.
Michelle Moujaes:I love that so much. I actually think that's a beautiful callout. I'm just gonna name what you said and say it back to you because I feel like especially for the generation of parents that are coming up behind us. So our kids are probably more of, like, age, you know, twenties down into the teens. And now I think the younger generation, just a little bit, has a harder time recognizing that it is okay to disappoint your children.
Michelle Moujaes:Your children don't have to like everything that you do. I mean, my mom used to say it this way. I'll give you the best I got. I'm gonna do the best I can to stand before God on judgment day and say, here are my kids. I tried.
Michelle Moujaes:And so that doesn't always have to mean we get our children's permission. It means we have to do what we think is the best stewardship of them. So I I commend that. And all the parents out there, I bless and release you from this lie that your kids have to like every decision you make. K.
Michelle Moujaes:Michelle rant over. Very good. Okay. So what gives you the most hope when you look at the next generation and you think about those who are gonna serve the church? And so that when our kids have kids, what makes you most happy or hopeful?
Father Michael Prevas:What makes me so hopeful is I see this new generation. They're so creative. They're so good with social media, so their their reach is so far beyond what ours used to be. Right. What type of person do they portray to the outside world by who they are on social media and by digital media?
Father Michael Prevas:And because they're so creative, they can put such a good impression of the church forward. Absolutely. We didn't have that. Mm-mm. And I'm also thankful we didn't have I'm glad I didn't grow up in a social media era.
Father Michael Prevas:But when I use the young people to create things for the church, their skills are unending. So I see so much hope because I think they can attract countless people into the faith. And from these new people who are coming to the church, I see a tremendous amount of enthusiasm, but I don't see it as a one or two year fad. You know what's interesting about these new people who come to the church versus us who are cradle born? They invite people.
Michelle Moujaes:A 100%. I have a godson who probably recruits every week two or three new people from his life.
Father Michael Prevas:And think about it. Yeah. How many people in your younger years
Michelle Moujaes:Zero. Never.
Father Michael Prevas:And I'm a priest, and I submit to you and all of your listeners.
Michelle Moujaes:We gotta get Isn't on that crazy?
Father Michael Prevas:And these people, when I meet people and I say, oh, welcome to the church. How did you hear about it? Every single one of them
Michelle Moujaes:That is so funny.
Father Michael Prevas:Are invited.
Michelle Moujaes:Okay. So what's the takeaway then? So I I see my godson asking people every single week. I mean, it's he's on fire. He wants to share what he's found with everybody.
Michelle Moujaes:But what's the takeaway for me then? Do I go and find people to invite? Is it just when it comes up? Because what I feel, sorry, is am I not excited? Why am I not recruiting?
Michelle Moujaes:Why don't I want everyone to have what we've found? So what's what's kind of the takeaway for us then?
Father Michael Prevas:I think the takeaway for us is don't force something that's not there. Don't all of a sudden start inviting people because we're supposed to. Right. Right. When conversations come up, don't shy away from it.
Father Michael Prevas:Interestingly, last night, I was visiting a parishioner. K. And a paramedic turned to me and said, are you Orthodox? Because I was in a robe because I was gonna say a prayer for this person. I said, yes.
Father Michael Prevas:He said, Eastern Orthodox? I said, yes. He says, I'm Russian Orthodox. Oh, nice. We started talking about it.
Father Michael Prevas:Two of the other paramedics were listening attentively. Oh. So you never know who's listening.
Michelle Moujaes:Right. Right. Right.
Father Michael Prevas:I didn't force the conversation. I didn't bring it up, but I also didn't just say yes and walk away from the conversation.
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah. Yeah. Good.
Father Michael Prevas:We engaged. And through engaging in it, other people hear it. They may not join in the conversation, but they're listening.
Michelle Moujaes:They're listening.
Father Michael Prevas:Therefore, that little perhaps seed of faith is planted.
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah. You know what I I need help with? I have a lot of people now who, again, everybody's kind of reading and seeking and listening, and the Internet is a big world. So lots of people are hearing lots of things, and they're coming. But I I have to get better at follow through because sometimes I have people who say, can I come with you one Sunday?
Michelle Moujaes:And I'll be like, yes. And then I do nothing. So it could be as simple as somebody asks, bring them. You don't even have to go recruit.
Father Michael Prevas:Follow through's tough It is. Because it really kind of causes us to reprioritize our use of time.
Michelle Moujaes:Yes. Yes. That's a I mean, that's the perfect thing to say.
Father Michael Prevas:And these last two years have all forced us out of our comfort zones and out of the kind of regular people we talk to because it's a whole wave Yeah. Of new people. So if we just you don't have to change it completely. Just a little bit of alteration. Okay.
Father Michael Prevas:Instead of making hard edges, just round it a little bit and find ways to engage.
Michelle Moujaes:I love it.
Father Michael Prevas:And just those little ways you can't imagine the impact it'll have on those new people. Because the last thing we wanna do is quell their enthusiasm.
Michelle Moujaes:That's the thing. And, like, what's the call? You know? To love God and love others and make disciples. And Mhmm.
Michelle Moujaes:I really I really do think there is an invitation for all of us to be more like that invitation. Okay. Invite. Invite. Invite.
Michelle Moujaes:I love it. Alright. Do you have time for one question?
Father Michael Prevas:Absolutely.
Michelle Moujaes:This is from Charlotte who is from California. And she said, if I were sitting you with you right now and I could have one concrete thing to do to help me cultivate my child's gift, what would it be?
Father Michael Prevas:To really see what is that gift of that child and how can that fit within the life of the church? Mhmm. In order to cultivate that, it's gonna take a lot of effort on the part of the parent to not just take the child and toss them in the choir or send them to a youth group, but really to find out what is that gift and to hone in where that gift can be used to sprout. If a child has a gift of just loving others or doing good for people or serving elderly, get them involved with people who are part of a ministry of visiting the elderly, taking them to a place where they can assist and support others and bring joy. Because to an older generation, the face of a child Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:The smile and the love of a child could be exactly what they need. Yeah. Sure. And, therefore, it's something direct and impactful. It's not just an idea.
Father Michael Prevas:It's not something abstract. It's something personal and intentful, and it can be fulfilled. Yeah. And, therefore, it can be something that is ongoing. Therefore, it's not just a one and done, a one hit wonder Mhmm.
Michelle Moujaes:For
Father Michael Prevas:a child, but it's something that they can engage time and again so that they feel they have a place
Michelle Moujaes:Mhmm.
Father Michael Prevas:That their ministry is meaningful. And it's not just, again, something that'll be done at Easter time.
Michelle Moujaes:That's right.
Father Michael Prevas:But it can be done throughout the year and something that they feel that they have a place. Yeah. Because the worst thing a child can feel is that there's really not a place. Yeah. Because so often we say the children are our future.
Father Michael Prevas:What does that make them feel today?
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah. That's right. And I actually would just add to that if I might that it doesn't have to be some grandiose thing that your kid does. I mean, I know, during COVID, when everyone was we're in California. Everyone was trying to figure out what we do so that nobody's, you know, gonna really struggle with COVID.
Michelle Moujaes:And so we had all of the, blessed bread at the end put into little plastic bags. And my daughter at the time was probably seven, and she's like, can't throw those bags away. They have crumbs in them. So she said, what if I have all the bags and I'll empty them for the birds? Well, it was a silly little thing.
Michelle Moujaes:She stood in the back of the church with a bag that says, give me your empty baggies. She collected them, and she dumped the bread so that it wasn't thrown in the trash. But it was her ministry. And so I would just say we don't have to have as parents. We don't have to send them straight to seminary.
Michelle Moujaes:There's lots of gifts we can cultivate before we get to the place where they discern whether or not that call is for them.
Father Michael Prevas:Well, interesting too. That's a beautiful thing you said about your daughter. One thing we try to do as parents is help our children understand the importance of their name day. Oh, good. Yeah.
Father Michael Prevas:The name day is not your birthday. Right. Name day is not a day you receive gifts. We tried to use the name day as a day we did something for others.
Michelle Moujaes:Oh, I love it.
Father Michael Prevas:So because that's what models the life of the saint that they're named after.
Michelle Moujaes:So good. That's so good.
Father Michael Prevas:To do something philanthropic, something kind, something extraordinary to model the name of the saint of which you're named after.
Michelle Moujaes:I love it.
Father Michael Prevas:So you're not gonna receive anything. You're going to give
Michelle Moujaes:I love that.
Father Michael Prevas:Something that day. And those are little ministry points, like you said, with those bags. Yeah. Something that a child can tangibly see and touch. That way, as their name day is coming around, our son, yours whose name Nicholas, as December was rolling around, said, dad, I have an idea this year for my name day.
Michelle Moujaes:I love it. So good.
Father Michael Prevas:So, dad, it's they start thinking about it from before, and therefore, the church is alive
Michelle Moujaes:Yeah. I love it.
Father Michael Prevas:In their heart.
Michelle Moujaes:So good. Father Michael, thank you for being with us. A true gift to have you here.
Father Michael Prevas:Michelle, thank you for the invitation and tremendous work.
Michelle Moujaes:Thank you.
Father Michael Prevas:You and so many do through Faith Tree Resources. God bless you and many
Michelle Moujaes:Glory to God.
Father Michael Prevas:Many blessings to you as you continue this outstanding work.
Michelle Moujaes:Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for the years that you've given to the priesthood and for being so generous with your own story. 43 priests out of one parish is not a statistic. That's a culture.
Michelle Moujaes:And Father Michael showed us how we can start to build one. And to every parent listening, hear this clearly. You do not need to raise a future archbishop for this conversation to matter. What you need to raise is a child who knows deep in their bones that whatever gift God placed in them, whether it's a voice or a mind or a pair of hands or a heart that can't stop noticing people who are hurting, that gift was never meant to stop with them. Your job is not to protect your child's gifts.
Michelle Moujaes:Your job is to teach them to give those gifts away. So here's what I want you to do this week. Watch your child a little more closely. Notice where they lean in. Notice what lights them up and ask yourself out loud in front of them if you can, who that gift was intended for.
Michelle Moujaes:Because the moment a child understands that their life is not primarily about them, everything changes. Not just what they might become someday, but who they already are as father Michael said, right now. Thank you for being here with us and don't forget to download the free parent discussion guide in the show notes. And if this episode was helpful at all, consider sharing it with a friend. Until next time.