Family Resources
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Parents are the primary catechists of their children and are called to create a household of faith in which their children grow closer to God and learn daily about their faith. Parents are also reminded to continue to grow in their own faith as lifelong catechesis is a responsibility of all Catholics.
The family’s catechetical activity has a special character, which is a sense irreplaceable…Education in the faith by parents, which should begin from the children’s tenderest age, is already being given when the members of a family help each other to grow in faith through the witness of their Christian lives, a witness that is often without words but which perseveres throughout a day-today life lived in accordance with the Gospel. This catechesis is more incisive when, in the course of family events (such as the reception of the sacraments, the celebration of great liturgical feasts, the birth of a child, a bereavement) care is taken to explain in the home the Christian or religious content of these events. But that is not enough: Christian parents must strive to follow and repeat, within the setting of family life the more methodical reaching received elsewhere. The fact that these truths about the main questions of faith and Christian living are thus repeated within a family setting impregnated with love and respect will often make it possible to influence the children in a decisive way for life. The parents themselves profit from the effort that this demands of them, for in a catechetical dialogue of this sort each individual both receives and gives…Family catechesis therefore precedes, accompanies and enriches all other forms of catechesis. Catechesis in our Time, St. John Paul II
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Family Prayer Times at Home
Families are different, and each finds their own unique way to pray together. A few possible ideas that have worked for other families are listed below:
Pray together before meals. Say a special blessing together or read a passage from the Bible. During special seasons of the church year, let the prayer reflect the nature of the season. For instance, during Advent, light an Advent wreath during dinner.
Choose a space in your home to prepare a prayer area, maybe a corner in the child’s room or a place in the den or living area. This space might include a child-sized table (coffee tables work well), a beautiful sacred image (maybe a small statue), a candle, and the Bible. Older children may have received Bibles when they made their First Communion; some families have a family Bible. Some families get a Bible stand or gold pillow on which to place the Bible.
Find a good time for regular family prayer. Some families pray together just before bed. Some pray together right before school in the mornings.
Sing a hymn or religious song together. Read a short scripture passage together. Offer up special prayers or intentions. Close with a memorized prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary or the Glory Be.
Pray the rosary, or a decade of the rosary together. On long car trips, pray the rosary together before listening to CD’s, playing video games, or watching DVD’s.
Buy a book of blessings, such as the Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers. Inside are prayers for special occasions such as birthdays, baptism anniversaries, and the first day of school.
Read together and discuss the readings from Sunday’s Mass. There are several websites with reflections for children. Catholicmom.com has coloring pages that correlate with the Sunday readings.
Invite other families over for Bible studies and prayer celebrations. Share a meal and then pray together. Sometimes, pray with all the children, but also consider times for the adults to pray and share without the children. (A babysitter or teen can watch the children in another room.)
Let your house reflect your faith. Have a special place for the family Bible. Hang beautiful religious art and a crucifix.
If the child has a patron saint, celebrate that saint’s feast day. When the child’s name doesn’t correlate with a saint, consider picking a special patron saint for the family, and celebrate that feast day. (Usually children pick their own patron saint at Confirmation, in 8th grade.)
Buy a good saints book and read about saints together on the feast days. One recommendation is the Loyola Kids Book of Saints.
Take turns letting different family members be in charge of the family prayer. The person in charge can select music, the reading, make a prayer card, set up the prayer table, etc.
Buy a weekday lectionary, and read the readings from daily Mass together.
Pray the Liturgy of the Hours (morning prayer, evening prayer or night prayer). Copies may be purchased at the local Catholic book store.
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Lent
Lent is a wonderful time for families! Children are welcome at all of our parish Lenten activities, from Stations of the Cross to Easter Sunday. In addition, childcare is available during the Ash Wednesday 6 p.m. Mass and all of the Holy Week-Easter Liturgies. Childcare for Wednesday evening prayer services (Stations of the Cross, etc.) available upon advance request. Please contact [email protected].
Here are a few links with ideas for families during Lent. Enjoy!
- http://www.catholicicing.com/simple-lenten-traditions-for-families-with-little-to-no-prep-work/
- http://catholicmom.com/kids/lenten-activities-for-children/
- http://www.carrotsformichaelmas.com/2015/02/10/9-ideas-for-observing-lent-with-kids-holy-heroes-review-and-free-coloring-books-for-you-sponsored-post/
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Easter
Jesus is risen…..alleluia! Easter lasts for 50 days-here are a few links with ideas to help your family celebrate!
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Sacraments
Families are encouraged to include children in the Sacraments of the Church as much as possible. A few ideas are listed below!
Baptism: Attend baptisms of family members, friends, and parishioners. Celebrate Baptism anniversaries in your family with a special prayer and dessert.
Confirmation: When the children are old enough, go to the Easter Vigil to see Baptisms and/or Confirmations. If a family member or friend is being confirmed at the Cathedral by the Bishop, attend. Around Lent and Easter, the names of those preparing for Confirmation are published in the parish bulletin. Pray for these people and send them cards of congratulations when they are confirmed.
Eucharist: Take children to Mass as often as possible. Sit up front where they can see. When on vacation, attend Mass in local churches. During the week, take children to church to make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament (any Catholic church, not just St. Peter).
Reconciliation: Talk about going to confession with your children. Let them see you go. (They don’t have to go in with you, but can wait outside with an older sibling or parent.) After First Reconciliation, provide frequent opportunities for your child to receive the sacrament.
Anointing of the Sick: If a family member is preparing for surgery, ask if your child can come when they receive the anointing of the sick. Pray for the sick of the parish, and make cards to send them (see bulletin for names). If a child is hospitalized, call the church office so that the child may be visited.
Holy Orders: Attend ordinations of priests and deacons in the Diocese (usually in May or June, watch the Diocesan newspaper for dates). Ask the church office for ordination anniversaries of the priests, and send them cards on their anniversaries.
Matrimony: Attend weddings of family members and friends. Celebrate anniversaries of grandparents and others.
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Atrium
Click here for a summary of frequently used terms in the atrium.
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Rosary
Tips for Praying the Rosary as a Family
- Pray the rosary while nursing/feeding your baby.
- Pray the rosary in the car at the beginning of a road trip.
- Pray the rosary at night, as part of family prayer time. Start with one decade, and depending on the ages of the children, work up to longer gradually.
- Pray the rosary outside, perhaps in the backyard with a special candle lit for prayer, or while walking on a trail or a path.
- Read the related scripture passage or sing a song for the mystery you are praying. (For instance, “Mary Had a Baby” for the Annunciation or “Silent Night” for the Birth of Jesus.)
- Take turns leading the rosary.
- Pray at the family prayer table, with lit candle, a prayer card or a picture/statue of Our Lady or one of the mysteries. (Let the children take turns snuffing the candle when you finish.)
- Pray the rosary for special intentions of older children or teens.
- Be patient. It’s okay to pray one decade.
- Let your children use their special rosaries for family prayer time. (First Communion gifts, rosary they made, etc.)
How to Pray the Rosary
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE
Apostolic Letter by St. John Paul II, issued on October 16, 2002, which declared October 2002 to October 2003 the “Year of the Rosary”.
Family Rosary
Information about how to pray the rosary, how to teach the rosary, and how to make a rosary.
Includes a rosary app which allows you to dedicate each Rosary to a cause or intention. You can share your prayer intention on Facebook or Twitter, so your friends and family know you are praying for them.
Catholic Icing
Creative ideas for the rosary and children
Rosary activities
from The Religion Teacher
Rosary Army
Includes information about how to pray the rosary and how to make a twine rosary
Child’s Guide to the Rosary
by Elizabeth Ficocelli
Scriptural Rosary Book
Rosary Apps:
The Mary App
Includes an interactive rosary with audio option
iRosary
Features colorful images and prayers (iPhone, iPad; $2.99)
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Advent
Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. We wait in joyful hope for the coming of Jesus!
“Advent in 2 Minutes” Video – A Quick Introduction to Advent!
http://bustedhalo.com/video/advent-in-two-minutesAdvent Activities from Loyola Press
http://www.loyolapress.com/liturgical-year-advent-activities.htmAdvent Resources from the United States Bishops
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/index.cfmAdvent and Christmas Craft Activities for Children
http://www.catholicicing.com/advent-and-christmas-with-kid/
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Pentecost
Pentecost in Two Minutes
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