First Steps for Families Intro and Templates • First Steps for Families

Introductory information and templates for planning First Steps for Families events.

Vocation: Responding to the Call • First Steps for Families

A parent drop-in session and home activity focused on vocation. • By Jim Merhaut

Learning to Pray with Saint Kateri Tekakwitha • First Steps for Families

A parent drop-in session and home activity focused on Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. • By Tom East

Giving Work the Dignity it Deserves • First Steps for Families

Help participants reflect on the dignity of workers and workers' rights.

First Steps for Families - By Month • First Steps for Families

Remembering Baptism • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children remember baptism and think about what it means to become children of God today.

St. John Bosco: A Saint for Youth • First Steps for Families

January 31

Help parents and children reflect on Saint John Bosco, who was an ordinary priest who saw youth in need in his community and did everything he could to help.

Preparing in Advent • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children explore the meaning of Advent and how we can prepare well for Christmas.

Lent • First Steps for Families

Parent drop-in sessions with home activities on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to use during Lent.

Valentine's Day Messages That Stick • First Steps for Families

Help children and parents focus on the heart of the holiday and bring faith to the forefront, still leaving room to enjoy chocolates and little valentines.

Palm Sunday • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children take a closer look at Palm Sunday, which begins Holy Week. The session offers a closer look at the celebration recalling the ways Jesus was loved and welcomed by those hungry for the Good News.

Saint Joseph Celebration of Fatherhood • First Steps for Families

March 19

Help parents and children celebrate fatherhood though the example of Saint Joseph.

Easter Hope • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children enter into the hope-filled spirit of the Easter Season.

Eucharist: We Are What We Eat • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children better appreciate the benefits of receiving Eucharist.

The Paschal Candle: Sharing the Light of Christ • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children learn why the Paschal candle is an important part of the life of the Church and why its presence is a powerful reminder that Jesus is alive in our Church today.

Feast of the Visitation • First Steps for Families

May 31

Help parents and children reflect on Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth after God sent the Angel Gabriel to ask Mary to be the mother of God's Son. Families will explore the meaning of Mary's visit and how her Magnificat can be an example of prayer in our own lives.

Sharing the Good News • First Steps for Families

Helps parents and children focus on ways to share the Good News (evangelize).

Works of Mercy • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children learn about the works of mercy and how to practice them.

Happy Birthday, Mary! • First Steps for Families

September 8

Help parents and children explore the birth of Mary, Mother of God, which is celebrated on September 8th.

Sign of Blessing • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children appreciate the power of blessings and encourage parents to sign their children with the cross when the children leave or come home. The home activity invites families to pray together and see family life as holy.

Sign of the Cross • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children understand the deeper meaning behind the Sign of the Cross.

Celebrating John XXIII • First Steps for Families

October 11

Help parents and children reflect on Saint John XXIII, who was often called "Good Pope John." The community will spend a few minutes looking at his view of sainthood, then reflect on ways to follow Saint John's footsteps as holy people.

Meal Blessings • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children learn new ways to begin meals together in prayer.

Christ the King • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children reflect on the feast of Christ the King (Corpus Christi) and what it means for us today.

Gratitude • First Steps for Families

Help parents and their children make meaningful connections between Eucharist and Thanksgiving Day.

All Souls' Day: Remembering Living Faith • First Steps for Families

November 2

Helps parents and children reflect on All Souls' Day when we remember all who have died, pray for them, and celebrate their lives.

Holy Family: Holy Roles • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children reflect on the feast of the Holy Family and what holy roles each of us can play in our own families.