"Try to put in the hearts of your children a love for home. Make them long to be with their families. So much sin could be avoided if our people really loved their homes."
- St Theresa of Calcutta
"The family who prays together, (you know it) stays together." Sometimes it's easier said than done, especially if you have a little window of opportunity, but no ready plan or ideas. Here is fuel for family prayer - 50 simple, pivotal ways that our families (our "domestic churches') can pray and grow stronger together in this season of life. Print and post on the fridge, or choose a different one to try each week and set a daily alarm on your phone as a reminder.
https://www.looktohimandberadiant.com/2019/09/supporting-family-prayer-50-ways-to.html
For Young Children
Podcasts:
Saint Stories of Kids - Shining Light Dolls
Truth Seekers: Bible Stories for Kids
Shows/Movies:
Brother Francis
Books:
Saintly Rhymes for Modern Times
Living Liturgically:
Catholic All Year
For Adults/Families
Podcasts:
Word on Fire
Catholic Stuff You Should Know
Abiding Together
Shows/Videos/Studies:
Formed.org
Ascension Presents
Augustine Institute
Everyday Heroes Series
Read more about how to plant your own Mary Garden at Be a Heart. You can also find step by step instructions from Real Life At Home in her article How to Plant a Mary Garden in 7 Easy Steps. Find more about the history and how to share it with children from Catholic.org. See Catholic Sprouts article A Child's Mary Garden for more.
1) Brainstorm as a family:
Download this rosary coloring sheet and mysteries cards from Be a Heart from her website.
Credit: Be a Heart Design
The physical home -
- Create a prayer space: candle, Bible, etc
- Religious art: statues, crucifix, paintings
- Scripture verses or quotes
- Nature, beauty of God's creation
- Music
- Simplifying, bringing order
- Have your home blessed!
Family prayer -
- Read the daily gospel
- Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Grace before meals
- Reflect on blessings together, gratitude
- Spontaneous prayers
- Sing Hymns/Listen to Praise and Worship
- Praying for one another
Learning together -
- Videos
- Podcasts
- Books
Living liturgically -
- Find ways to observe the church seasons as a family
Conversations -
-Talk openly and often about God & His love
-Answering questions honestly
By example -
-Serving one another, sacrificing
-Seeking forgiveness
-Personally striving to follow the Lord
-Being present
"To the family is entrusted the task of striving, first and foremost, to unleash the forces of good."
-St Pope John Paul II
We are excited to announce a new monthly series for our parents and families! Fervorino is an Italian word that means a quick exhortation or pep talk. Each month will feature a topic that is helpful, on a practical level, in parenting and family life. Our first fervorino will feature our beloved pastor, Fr. Keith, who will share secrets of how to actually eat and pray on a regular basis with your family, building healthy habits that will easily fit into family life and will bear fruit forever.
Next, our seminarian Deacon Callan, (who holds a Masters in Psychology and is passionate and knowledgeable about human psychological/spiritual/emotional development and family dynamics), will share on how to build healthy attachments, positive character development and healthy psychological growth - things all of us would do well to learn more about no matter our age or state in life. Families will be given practical tools and resources to go along with each fervorino. We hope this series will be an encouragement and support to all our families. Stay tuned.