We learn from Jesus' family—the examples of Mary and Joseph—how to be holy ourselves.
This learning session is designed to have young people take a good look at family and why our Catholic Church supports, nurtures and defends family so strongly. The session will explain what is it about family that brings us closer to God and gives us a better understanding of who we are and who we are called to be. • By Jane Angha
Most scholars agree that Jesus did not come into this life knowing that he was the Son of God. This knowledge grew within him and must have been the cause of much questioning and concern. This lesson examines what that search must have meant for him and his family, and is designed to help participants realize that life in a “holy family,” in some ways, is like life in any family. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto
In this session participants will look at some of the values God proclaimed, not just by choosing to send the Son, but by the family God chose to bestow humanity on the Son. We will also consider the gifts bestowed upon Jesus by his family and upon each of us by our families. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto
Use this family blessing on the feast of the Holy Family to renew your commitments to each other.
Use the feast of the Holy Family as an opportunity to recall your own family memories.
The feast of the Holy Family falls on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and is the perfect time for a celebration of family life. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto
This activity forms an excellent opening for a religious education program, whether in family or classroom. It can also be used as an All Saints' Day celebration, a Holy Family Sunday celebration, or a closing activity at the end of the religious education year. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto
This learning session is designed to show children how the Holy Family is a model for all families, even in the 21st-century! Jesus, Mary and Joseph can guide us in living faithfully as the domestic church. • By Laura Ann McClure
This document gives catechists and table leaders a deeper understanding of the Holy Family through Scripture and the teaching of our Catholic Church. Pope Francis quotes and insights from the Extraordinary Synod on the Family are also shared. • By Joan Weber
Use this session with parents and children together during the first 15 minutes of your regular religious education session before you dismiss the children to their grade-level groups. • By Jim Merhaut
This resources shares several good websites and a video to make the connection between our families and the Holy Family. • By Joan Weber
This resource has families watch Louder Than Words, about a family’s struggle with pain, loss, love and resurrection, and offers reflection questions to explore how the characters live up to the title of a Holy Family. • By Jane Angha
This learning session for adults explores the parental virtues which Mary and Joseph demonstrated, and challenges all adults in the parish to create a nurturing environment for the children. • By Joan Weber
Pope Francis points to the Holy Family as an example for families today in many different ways. Here is a home activity to help families follow the Holy Father’s advice to practice three key phrases: May I? Thank You! Sorry!
This activity takes families deeper by helping them look at themselves and how they are (or aren’t) following the model of the Holy Family in daily life. • By Joan Weber
This session, for all ages in the parish, explores the gift of the Holy Family to our Church. Participants discuss what we as families in the 21st century can learn from Jesus, Mary and Joseph. • By Rosina Hendrickson
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.
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