Before remote work was required for many in 2020 and before it became stylish thereafter, the original “work from home” position was held by parents who chose not to pursue a career in the world, choosing
instead to support their family full-time.
At face value, “stay at home” isn’t an adequate description, but Katelyn O’Brien and Caroline Breunig serve their respective families doing just that: Raising and educating children and building up the domestic Church.
Katelyn and her husband, Ben, live in Merrimac, have four children, and homeschool.
Katelyn said that her husband “refers to [her] as the heart of the home” and added that her centralizing role in the home is “like a heart, where everything comes together and then also goes out to the rest of the body”.
The family is “the school of love,” Katelyn said, adding that as a mother, she has the privilege of fostering the best parts of her children — their relationship with God, their intelligence, but, especially, helping them “learn to discover Christ in those around [them]”.
“I certainly find it challenging but also tremendously fulfilling,” Katelyn said.
Caroline and her husband, John, live in Prairie du Sac, have six children, and also homeschool.
Caroline shared that she herself was homeschooled, saying that her mother raised 12 children doing so and that she’s “grateful to my mother [who] still is an incredibly faithful Catholic woman”.
“I try my best to emulate what my mother gave to me as a gift to my children,” Caroline said, describing that as the gift of Faith and formation.
At home, Caroline focuses on “integrating the lives of saints and of our Lord throughout everyday experiences and hardships, turning sacrifices into things that merit grace” with her children.
She shared that daily, especially evening, prayers are important for the family, saying that “some things are non-negotiable”.
“Motherhood can be hard, and the trenches can be deep, but it’s so important to know that you’re not alone,” Caroline said.
“I can’t imagine living without my faith and living without the knowledge that God chooses you and gives you the family that you have because you’re the person who’s going to play a key role in their salvation,”
she continued.
“My mom would always say: If you fail at everything else in the world but your children become saints,
who cares?”
Do you know someone who shares their “faith at work” and serves to evangelize others? We want to tell their stories! Send your ideas to [email protected].