Refreshing...

Home Activities

Communion of Saints

Litany of Saints

The Litany of the Saints is a great prayer for use throughout the year, especially at those times during which we need special guidance or graces.

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Communion of Saints

Who is Your Role Model?

Explore contemporary heroes of the Catholic faith.

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Epiphany • Generations of Faith

Home Blessing

Families bless their home and remember the themes of the feast of the Epiphany.

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Epiphany: Reflecting on Gifts • Generations of Faith

Families reflect on their gifts and prepare to present these gifts to the baby Jesus.

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Jesus' Death & Resurrection

Family Response

As a family, read the four Gospel accounts of the Resurrection, one per day, then discuss together. • By Joan Weber

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Jesus' Death & Resurrection

Last Words

Take each of the seven last words of Jesus and identify one action you as a family can take to honor what Jesus is saying. • By Joan Weber

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Our Lenten Journey • Generations of Faith

RCIA Moment

Reflection on the Samaritan woman.

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Our Lady of Guadalupe: Called to Service

This home activity provides a resource for acts of service inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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Palm Sunday

What Do We Do With Our Palms?

Some ideas for your family about how you might use the palms from Palm Sunday in your home. • By Paulette Chapman

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Pentecost: God's Grandeur • Generations of Faith

A family reflection on Pentecost based on the poem God's Grandeur by Gerard Manley Hopkins. • By Jim Merhaut

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Celebrating Triduum

New Life

This home activity provides families with a way to thank God for the gift of new life in Christ which Jesus's resurrection continues to give us by planting something during the 50 days of the Easter Season.

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Celebrating Triduum

Crafts and Family Prayer

Work with children to create prayer symbols and lead family prayers to celebrate the Triddum at home. • By Tom East

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Jesus Through the Church Year • Generations of Faith

Liturgical Seasons: Home Activity

This activity and resource guides families in reflecting on the seasons of the liturgical year.

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Walking with Jesus through Lent • Generations of Faith

Lenten Games

Families are challenged to see games through the light of everyone winning rather than having winners and losers. • By Jim Merhaut

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Holy or Hole-y

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

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May I? Thank You! Sorry!

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!

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Church Structure: Scripture & Tradition

There are two resources designed to help Catholics deepen their faith and find greater joy in life: Scripture and Tradition. When we sink ourselves into Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition we build a strong foundation for our families to grow. • By Maria Scherer and Kim Schroeder

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Gathered by Eucharist: Sent in Mission

Bringing the Eucharist to Others

This home activity provides families an opportunity to reflect on how they can bring a special meal to others. • By Jane Angha

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Gathered by Eucharist: Sent in Mission

Special Meals

This home activity provides families an opportunity to reflect on special meals. • By Jane Angha

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Gathered by the Eucharist – Sent in Mission Home Activity

The celebration of the Eucharist is at the heart of our Catholic Faith. It is in this sacrament we hear the Word of God, ask for forgiveness, open our hearts to Jesus and accept the challenge to go make a difference in the world. • By Jane Angha

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Images of God

Glimpses of God Jar

Create a Glimpses of God Jar to set on the kitchen table or another place where the family regularly gathers. Invite each family member to take a minute before your evening meal to write down how or where he/she got a glimpse of God today.

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Incarnation: God Among Us

Being Like Jesus

This home activity provides a resource for faith sharing and prayer that challenges family members to be like Jesus for others. • By Joan Weber

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Jesus' Mission Continues: Christ in the World

Place this chart on your refrigerator or in another prominent place in your home. Complete it each day as you discuss one community, national or international event and how Christ is working in the event or calling someone to respond with Christian faith in the event.

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Jesus Teaches Us about Ourselves

The Jesus Game

Cut out the following phrases about the life of Jesus and put them into a container. Family members take turns pulling out a piece of paper. When it is your turn, read the paper and complete the phrase either from memory or by looking up the Bible reference.

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Resurrection of the Body

Learning Through Books: Hope for the Flowers

Use the book Hope for the Flowers to deepen your understanding of resurrection. Can be adapted for parish use. • By Gladys Pozza

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Resurrection of the Body

Blueprints for Living

Resurrection faith calls us to live in our bodies today with an appreciation for their goodness. Families can use this activity to reflect on their goodness. • By Gladys Pozza

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Resurrection of the Body

Fruits of the Spirit

Use this activity to help your family reflect on what it means to live in our bodies according to the Spirit. • By Gladys Pozza

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What is Faith?

Secret Saints

Commit to a year of doing things for others. • By Jane Angha

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What is Faith?

Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ

As a family, brainstorm ways you can share the Good News with others. • By Joan Weber

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Discipleship: Serving Others in Christ's Name

What is Discipleship?

This home activity provides a way for families to share together about their understanding of discipleship. • By Jane Angha

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Discipleship: Serving Others in Christ's Name

Finding Time to Serve Others

Finding time for service and faith growth is hard busy families. This home activity provides families with a way to consider how they spend their time. • By Jane Angha

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Home Activity: Encounters with Christ

This activity engages families in reflecting on how encounters with Jesus in Scripture changed people’s lives and how it can change them as well. • By Rosina Hendrickson

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CRS & Catholic Charities

About Catholic Charities

This home session focuses on ways to get families involved in the work of Catholic Charities. • By Jim Merhaut

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CRS & Catholic Charities

About CRS

This home session focuses on ways to get families involved in the work of Catholic Relief Services. • By Jim Merhaut

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Discipleship: New Testament Role Models

Home Activity: Prayer

Here is an adapted prayer for anyone to use, based on 1 Corinthians 13.

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Discipleship: New Testament Role Models

Home Activity: YouTubing It Up!

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ takes a conscious effort each day to use our talents to bring the message of Christ to the world. Take some time checking out these YouTube videos, find some more, and reflect on the questions given.

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Earth Day

Eco Footprint

As a family or household, find out how your lifestyle impacts the earth. Take the Earth Day Network Footprint Calculator.

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Earth Day

Pledge to Protect

The Catholic Climate Covenant offers the following Pledge of Commitment to be good stewards of God's creation.

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Economic Justice

Eight Beatitudes of Parenting

Blessed are the parents . . . Eight Beatitudes for parents today.

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Economic Justice

Option For the Poor

Jesus calls us to serve the poor and be good stewards of our resources.

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Faithful Citizenship

Living the Gospel Call

The Catholic Church calls us to take action against injustice, to be involved in the political process. This activity helps families think about situations and plan for ways to respond.

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Faithful Citizenship

Praying with the Saints Who Took a Stand

Think of some of the heroes of our world, people who have taken a stand to make the world a better place. As a family, pray with them for a society which promotes the life and dignity of every person, for a world in which people look at everyone across the globe as part of one and the same human family.

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Living in Solidarity

Knowing & Loving My Neighbor

This home activity provides families with a variety of strategies for living the principle of solidarity at home. • By Gladys Pozza

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Poverty Awareness

Stance of Solidarity

As a family, think about something you could give up once a week to stand in solidarity with the poor.

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Sacred & Social: Call to Family, Community, & Participation

Reaching Out

This home activity will help families reflect upon ways they can meaningfully participate in the communities to which they belong. • By Jane Angha

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Thanksgiving Tables: Service

Home service challenge for Thanksgiving.

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Catholic Social Teachings • Generations of Faith

Serving with Commitment

This home activity provides families with a way to explore what it means to serve other and live the principles of the Catholic social teachings. • By Jane Angha

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Catholic Social Teachings • Generations of Faith

Standing with Friends

This home activity provides families with a way to talk about what it means to live as family with our brothers and sisters in need throughout the world. • By Jane Angha

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Being Truthful • Generations of Faith

Ranking Lies

Meet as a family and rank this list of lies from the most dishonest to the least dishonest, then, share your answers with each other.

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Stewardship: House Tour • Generations of Faith

Do a tour of your home and see where you can find examples of how your household practices stewardship.

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Seven Days of Stewardship

Ponder one scripture passage per day for seven days to reflect on stewardship.

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Living Like Christ Every Day

This home activity provides families with a way to talk about what it means to live like Christ every day. • By Jane Angha

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Living Like Christ

Loving God, Ourselves, and Others

This home activity provides families with a way to explore what it means to love God, ourselves and others. • By Jane Angha

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Life in Christ

Attentive Chores

This home activity provides families with a way to see household chores as holy, and to discover God's presence in the midst of them.

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Benedictine Spirituality

A Line a Day

Focus on the lines from the Rule of St. Benedict one at a time.

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Call & Vocation

Company for Supper

Many of us don't have opportunities to hear the stories of the vocational callings of the priests, religious, or singles in our life. Why not invite someone over for supper and have a conversation with them about their vocation and how they heard God calling them?

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Divine Word Spirituality

Where Does the Word Lead?

Our spiritual lives are rooted in God's love for us. One of the ways we discover how much God cares for us is by reading and praying with God's Word. As a family or household, spend time over the course of a week reading a passage and discussing the question for each day.

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Forgiveness & Reconciliation

Amends

The three parts of forgiving are: 1. Apologize (I am sorry.) 2. Ask forgiveness. 3. Make amends.

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Forgiveness & Reconciliation

Prayer

Gather around a table. Light a candle to remind the family of Christ's presence. If children are old enough, they can take turns lighting the candle while a parent says an opening prayer, like, "Forgiving God, we ask you to help us forgive when we have hurt each other and to be willing to make amends."

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Franciscan Spirituality

Franciscan Spirituality in Action

When someone in your family acts in a way reflecting Franciscan spirituality, write it in the matching section on the wheel. What impact does it have on your family when people act as Francis did?

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Franciscan Spirituality

Nature Walk

As a household, with a friend, or a group of friends, plan a nature walk in some place of natural beauty in your local community. Includes opening and closing prayers as well as reflection questions.

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Ignatian Spirituality

Examen the News

Finding God in all things is an important part of Ignatian spirituality. Help your family to find God in the events around us.

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Lay Spirituality: Go in Peace

Not Mission Impossible

Home activity focusing on lay spirituality: Recognizing God in the midst of the world, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of everyday activities.

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Lay Spirituality: Go in Peace

What is Your Spirituality?

You need to continually listen for how God is calling you to move from selfishness to love in the routines of your life. Your life's passion and your key relationships will present to you your unique building blocks for your spirituality. Reflect upon questions designed to help you gain a deeper understanding of God's special calling just for you.

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Lay Spirituality: Go in Peace

What Would You Do?

This activity challenges families to consider how consistently they live from their deepest values by viewing a popular television show and asking themselves, "What would I do?"

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Praying into Sunday: Eucharistic Adoration

This home activity includes a bread baking activity and a number of prayers that can be used as a follow up to the learning sessions on Eucharistic adoration. • By Maria Scherer and Kim Schroeder

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Proclaiming Hope

Getting Hope, Giving Hope

This activity helps families share and pray about what it means to receive and share hope.

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Proclaiming Hope • Generations of Faith

Mary as a Star of Hope

This sharing and craft activity provides a way for families to reflect on Mary's role in showing us the way to hope.

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Proclaiming Hope

Signs of Hope

This faith sharing activity helps families talk about the signs of hope in their lives.

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Proclaiming Hope

Steps to Hope

This faith sharing activity for families with older youth provides a way to share about hope guided by Paul's letter to the Romans.

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Providence Spirituality

People of Hope

Providence spirituality does not mean I just wait for God to act, but I am to be a co-creator with God. It means that our actions in the world can and do make a difference.

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Providence Spirituality

Getting In Tune

Saint Mother Theodore Guerin transformed her obstacles and fears by relying on her spiritual strength which came from being "in tune" with God. 

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Baptism@Home Ritual Moments • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

This collection of home activities engages the home church in reflecting on ritual moments in the celebration of baptism, focusing on creed, water, naming, light, signing, and oil.

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Easter Timeline • Generations of Faith

The four gospels record different versions of the resurrection stories. Become familiar with each by putting events in the correct order.

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Liturgy of the Hours

Around the Clock

The Liturgy of the Hours is both a preparation for the Eucharist and an extension of the action of the Eucharist: praise and thanksgiving offered to God, throughout the day. The early Christians stretched their experience of Eucharist by consecrating the hours of the day and night through prayer.

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Liturgy of the Hours

Pray Always

Our Lord asked us to Pray Always. The Liturgy of the Hours is the prayer of the church. The family is the domestic church. As the domestic church, discuss when you will pray the Liturgy of the Hours as a family.

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One Holy Catholic Apostolic

The Catholic Church is a one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Households are churches too. They are often called the domestic church. As churches, they are also called to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic. It is important to think about and talk about how your domestic church incorporates and expresses these four essential gifts from God.

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Parts of the Mass

It All Started in Homes

In this home activity you will make connections between the four main parts of the Mass and a typical family gathering.

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Parts of the Mass

Live the Mass

The power of the liturgy is not complete until it has been put into practice in the world. In this home activity you will read and/or watch the Good Samaritan story found in Luke 10: 25-37.

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Our Call to Worship

Pray Well

All families need visible reminders that our personal relationships with God and communal relationships with God are the sources of good thinking and good living. Brainstorm ways your family can display the phrase, "Pray well, Believe well, Live well" in your home.

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Apostle Easter Eggs

This Easter home activity helps children become familiar with the traditions associated with the twelve apostles. • By Jim Merhaut

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Acts of the Apostles

Changing Family Traditions

This home activity helps families plan for traditions need to change as members are added to the family.

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Gospel of John

Bread of Life

Bake a loaf of bread as you reflect on Jesus as the Bread of Life.

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Gospel of John

Good Shepherd Maze

Complete this maze to lead the shepherd to his sheep. Based on John 10.

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Gospel of John

Seven Signs Crossword

Use this crossword to learn about or review the seven signs found in John's Gospel.

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Gospel of John

Vine and Branches

Reflect together on the meaning of the vine and the branches.

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Gospel of John

People of Service

Reflect on the story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet and how we all might be people of service.

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Gospel of Luke

Family Life

Use this activity to reflect on Jesus as a youth.

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Gospel of Luke

Getting to Know Luke

Answer these true or false questions to deepen your understanding of Luke's Gospel.

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Gospel of Luke

Who's Left Out?

This home activity gives your family several stories from the Gospel of Luke to focus on.

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Gospel of Mark

Blind Bart

Imagine what happens to Bartimaeus after he is healed by Jesus.

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Gospel of Mark

Family Scripture Reflection

Re-write a familiar story from the Gospel of Mark (the Parable of the Mustard Seed) as a family.

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Gospel of Mark

Scavenger Hunt

Use this activity to discover the stories found in Mark's Gospel.

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Gospel of Matthew

Scavenger Hunt

Use this activity to discover the stories found in Matthew's Gospel.

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Intro to Old Testament • Generations of Faith

Picture Collage

A family activity to explore several Old Testament stories. • By Leif Kehrwald

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Lectionary Cycle C: Gospel Watch

Use this chart to be on the lookout for Gospel stories you will hear throughout the year.

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Weekly Storytime • Generations of Faith

Take time each week to read the Gospel for the upcoming Sunday.

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Letter to the Hebrews

Sharing Our Sacrifices

This home activity provides families with a way to discuss sacrifice. • By Jim Merhaut

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Letter to the Hebrews

Family Obedience

This home activity provides a way for families to share together on the topic of obedience. • By Jim Merhaut

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O Antiphons

Home Activity: Jesus' Birth

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O Antiphons

Home Activity: O Come Emmanuel

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Pentateuch

Covenant Love

God created us in His image and invites us into covenant relationship with Him and with each other. Use a beach ball as a reminder of the covenant relationship you have with your family.

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Pentateuch

Liberation Prayer

Reflect on how Moses liberated the Israelites and compare this story to things happening today.

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Prophets of the Old Testament

God Is Greater

A family activity to remember that no one and nothing is greater than God.

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Reading the Bible • Generations of Faith

Curious Question

A great way to discover what's in your child's heart, and to share your thoughts with your child without being pushy is to play "Curious Bible Question." Read the short passage aloud with your child, and then ask and answer the Curious Bible Question.

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St. Paul

Paul's Challenge to Live the Gospel

As a family, reflect on Romans 12 and discuss what it calls us to do.

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St. Paul

Called to Holiness

Reflect on what holiness means and how we can all lead holy lives.

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St. Paul

Tracing Paul's Journey

Use these stories from Acts of the Apostles to discover Paul's journey.

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Children's Gospel Stories

A website offering free Gospel stories along with downloadable coloring books.

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Curious NT Question

Read short passages from the Bible and answer a "curious question."

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Curious OT Question

Read short scripture passages and answer a "curious question."

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Hosea 11

A parent's refection on Hosea 11, where God is described as a loving parent.

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Isaiah 43

A family reflection on Isaiah 43, which recounts God's love for us and the covenant God made with Abraham's ancestors.

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New Testament Picture Collage

A family activity to explore several New Testament stories.

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Old Testament Heroes Quiz • Generations of Faith

As review or introduction, complete this quiz to see how much you know about the heroes of the Old Testament.

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Sayings of Jesus • Generations of Faith

Work together to rephrase these sayings of Jesus from the Synoptic Gospels.

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Synoptic Gospels

Exploration

Take a closer look at several stories that are found in the synoptic Gospels.

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Write an Epistle

Imagine you are like St. Paul, and write a letter to encourage others in their faith.

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The Great Stories: Historical Books of the Bible

A guide to sharing the stories of the Historical Books of the Bible with your family. • By Jim Merhaut

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Gospel Commandments

Parishioners can use this resource to explore the Ten Commandments at home. • By Jim Merhaut

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Wisdom Literature

Daily Proverb

We need wisdom to guide us in our personal relationships and in understanding and responding to our complex world. Make it a part of your day to pray for wisdom.

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Wisdom Literature

Name That Psalm

The Psalms remind us that our Lord knows us and loves us. They help us to get in touch with our feelings of gratitude, joy and sorrow as we join our voices with those before us in passionate expressions of faith in God. Use this activity to match your own feelings and emotions to the Psalms.

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Wisdom Literature

Movie Activity

A family activity to deepen your understanding of wisdom.

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Ascension: Being Christ's Body in the World • Generations of Faith

Home activity on being the Body of Christ for those who suffer from injustice, neglect, or sadness.

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Ascension: Four Different Perspectives • Generations of Faith

Home activity engaging the family in reflecting on the end of the Gospel by each of the four evangelists, how they differ, and what families can learn from each one. 

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

January 31

Sharing the lives of the saints in our Catholic Church is a great way to show how God works in the world through ordinary people! St. John Bosco was an ordinary Italian priest until he saw a need in his community. He did amazing things because of his faith and with God's help. • By Jane Angha

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Vocation: Responding to the Call • First Steps for Families

(English & Spanish)

Take-home activity designed to help parents engage in vocational discernment with their children. • By Jim Merhaut

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Lenten Almsgiving • First Steps for Families

(English & Spanish)

Home activity to follow the fifteen minute parent drop in session for Lent and Ash Wednesday. • By Jim Merhaut

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Lenten Fasting • First Steps for Families

Use this activity at home following the family mini-session on fasting. • By Jim Merhaut

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Valentine's Day Messages that Stick! • First Steps for Families

In this home activity, parents will help children create heartfelt Valentine messages that affirm, uplift, and bring joy to those that receive them. • By Jane Angha

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Lenten Prayer • First Steps for Families

This home activity provides prayers for parents and children to pray throughout the day. • By Jim Merhaut

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Saint Joseph Celebration of Fatherhood • First Steps for Families

March 19

Home activity for celebration of fatherhood. • By Jim Merhaut

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Feast of the Visitation • First Steps for Families

Home Activity

By Joan Weber

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Sharing the Good News • First Steps for Families

This gathering helps children and parents focus on ways to share the Good News. • By Jane Angha

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Works of Mercy • First Steps for Families

(English & Spanish)

By Jane Angha

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The Muppets • Faith Festivals

(English & Spanish)

This handout provides a way for families to continue their faith sharing about The Muppets. • By Tom East

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Beatitude Attitude

This activity challenges families to live the message of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

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Got Talent?

This resource engages families in looking at how much they share their God-given talents with others.

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Picture the Kingdom

Families engage their own imaginations about what the Kingdom of God is like after they listen to Matthew’s account of Jesus teaching his followers about the Kingdom.

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Surf's Up • Faith Festivals

(English & Spanish)

This handout provides a way for families to continue their faith sharing about Surf's Up. • By Jane Angha

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Happy Birthday, Mary! • First Steps for Families

September 8

Ideas for celebrating Mary's Birthday over 12 days. • By Jim Merhaut

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Sign of Blessing • First Steps for Families

Home Activity

By Tom East

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Sign of the Cross • First Steps for Families

(English & Spanish)

By Joan Weber

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Celebrating John XXIII • First Steps for Families

October 11

By Joan Weber

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Meal Blessings • First Steps for Families

(English & Spanish)

By Jane Angha

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Christ the King • First Steps for Families

(English & Spanish)

Consider some of the things that Jesus says and decide how you might practice what the King preaches. • By Jim Merhaut

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Gratitude • First Steps for Families

(English & Spanish)

Families practice the spirituality of gratitude in their homes with Gratitude journals. Families may want to do this for two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. • By Jim Merhaut

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Holy Family, Holy Roles • First Steps for Families

(English & Spanish)

Use this chart to keep track of the ways your family is becoming a holy family, modeled after Jesus and his family. • By Jim Merhaut

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Getting to Know Jesus • Faith Festivals

A follow-up family activity for "Getting to Know Jesus" Faith Festival. • By Jane Angha

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Advent Weekly Table Prayers • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Table prayers for each week of Advent.

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Easter • FamilyFaith@Home

This resources offers families ways they can live out the Easter promise through service, prayer, and conversations at home.

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FamilyFaith@Home • FamilyFaith@Home

Lent

This resource offers ideas for families to pray together, have faith-filled conversations, and reach out in service during the Lenten season.

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Fall Prayers • FamilyFaith@Home

These resources are designed to help families pray together for the fall season.

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Fall: Family Service • FamilyFaith@Home

These resources are designed to help families engage in service and reflection about justice together for the fall season.

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Fall: Family Faith-Sharing • FamilyFaith@Home

These resources are designed to help families share faith together for the fall season.

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Discipleship: Serving Others in Christ's Name

Finding God in Those We Meet

In this activity, families are invited to reflect on being the face of Christ for others. Rosina Hendrickson gives us food for thought through her personal encounter with God in people she met on a trip to Jamaica. • By Rosina Hendrickson

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Easter Hope • First Steps for Families

Find hope in the fulfillment of God's promises. • By Jim Merhaut

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

Home Activity

This home activity provides an opportunity for parent and children to talk about the benefits of receiving Eucharist. • By Joan Weber

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

Home Activity

By Jane Angha

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Improving Family Communication

Family Enrichment

A simple handout with some tips to help households communicate more effectively.

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Understanding Families with Young Children

This article explores some of the typical needs, struggles, challenges, and joys of families with young children.

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Early Church History • Generations of Faith

Being Missionaries Like Paul

A discussion guide for families on what it means to be a missionary.

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Early Church History • Generations of Faith

Challenging Our Family Culture

Reflect on the things your family does that do or do not help you all to know God better.

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Early Church History • Generations of Faith

See How Those Christians Love One Another

Compare your family to the early church communities that Luke wrote about in Acts of the Apostles.

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Communion of Saints: Holiness • Generations of Faith

Virtue Reality

Explore the idea of holiness within your family.

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Communion of Saints Meal Ritual • Generations of Faith

Use this meal ritual to share stories about the Saints.

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Communion of Saints Ritual Moments • Generations of Faith

Explore the themes of Holy Gifts & Holy People in relation to the Communion of Saints.

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Communion of Saints Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

In this table prayer, we focus on the Communion of Saints, which calls us to unity with each other and joins us to Christ.

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Email from God • Generations of Faith

Compose an email from God reminding you of when you have performed the corporal works of mercy.

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Corporal Works of Mercy • Generations of Faith

Focus on one of the corporal works of mercy throughout the day and then discuss as a family in the evening.

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Consult the Sources • Generations of Faith

Practice doing the necessary research to make a good moral decision.

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Dignity of All • Generations of Faith

Use these scripture passages to reflect on how we are all created in the image of God and are given equal dignity.

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Five Steps of Moral Decision-Making • Generations of Faith

Reflect on the five steps of moral decision-making.

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Three Times Over • Generations of Faith

Moral Decision-Making

Practice using the three key factors of a good decision to reflect on a recent decision.

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Corporal Works of Mercy FAQ • Generations of Faith

As a family, reflect on some FAQs about the corporal works of mercy.

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Practicing Virtue • Generations of Faith

Use this resource to reflect on several moral virtues.

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Ten Commandments Activity • Generations of Faith

Write a modern-day version of the Ten Commandments.

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Learning More about Mission • Generations of Faith

A listing of two websites on mission to send home.

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We Need the Poor More Than the Poor Need Us • Generations of Faith

Use this story to deepen your understanding of solidarity.

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Advent Daily Prayers for Families • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A simple format for families to pray together daily during Advent.

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An Advent Sharing List for Families • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A collection of 29 things families can do together during Advent to foster the spirit of Christmas.

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Blessing Before the Christmas Meal • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A table prayer for Christmas.

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Blessing for a Christmas Creche • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Bless your family's Christmas creche on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day with this special prayer.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Christmas "Presence" • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A family activity that uses the Gospel story of Jesus' birth to explore God's presence in our lives.

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Prayers for Every Day of Advent • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Simple prayers to use for each day of Advent.

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Praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary • Generations of Faith

By praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, we can meditate on the Advent and Christmas themes of hope, trust, waiting and anticipation, the presence of God in history, and changing relationships. Your family can hold its own retreat throughout Advent and Christmas by putting aside time each week for Scripture, prayer and reflection. This guide for praying the Joyful Mysteries can form the basis for such a family retreat.

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Exploring Advent: Preparing for the Messiah • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

This family reflection will focus on your family's experience of preparing and what it takes to prepare well.

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Advent Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

Table prayer to use with your family throughout Advent.

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Waiting with Hope • Generations of Faith

Young Adult Advent Journal

If you are a young adult who has been looking for a way to prepare spiritually for Christmas, this book is for you. These reflections have been written by people in their twenties and thirties. These young adults have taken the readings for the Advent season and used them as a springboard for their own prayerful thought and reflection. Now they invite you to do the same.

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Saintly Nature Walk • Generations of Faith

Use the beauty of the month of October to prepare for the celebration of All Saints' Day on November 1. Plan some family time outside where you can enjoy the brilliant colors of autumn and share your reflections on the lives of the Saints.

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Patron Saint for the Year • Generations of Faith

As a family, choose a Saint to honor for the coming year.

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The Meek are not Weak • Generations of Faith

The third beatitude may be the least understood of all. This activity will help your family to appreciate the depth and power of meekness, a gift so desperately needed in our world today.

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Will the Real Saint Please Stand? • Generations of Faith

This family activity explores the three categories of saints.

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No Fear Skeleton • Generations of Faith

This activity helps dispel our fears surrounding death and dying in light of the celebration of the feast of All Souls.

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All Souls' Day Meal Ritual • Generations of Faith

Use these Scripture verses to guide your mealtime reflections throughout the month of November.

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All Souls' Day Shrine • First Steps for Families

Use this guide to help you set up an All Souls' Day shrine to honor a friend or family member who has died.

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All Souls' Day Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

Select a deceased member of your family or a friend you will remember in a special way on All Souls' Day this year. Use this tent card to guide your table prayer in the days leading up to All Souls' Day and throughout November. • By James Merhaut

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Ascension: Bless this Body • Generations of Faith

Reflect on and share what parts of Christ's body each family member is called to be for others.

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Ascension: Sent to Share Good News • Generations of Faith

Reflect on the ways you can share the teachings of Jesus with others, through words as well as actions.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Ascension • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Examine the 'job description' Jesus left for his disciples (and us!) at his Ascension.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Baptism of the Lord • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Create your own family tree and reflect on your family's genealogy in Christ.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Beatitudes • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

This family reflection helps us to understand the kinds of people Jesus is calling us to be in the Beatitudes.

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Praying Our Way to Baptism • Generations of Faith

Family Table Prayers

This series of table prayers can be used at mealtime as a family prepares to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism of a family member or to prepare to participate in a parish celebration of the sacrament. • By Jim Merhaut

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What's in a Name? • Generations of Faith

This simple ritual will help families celebrate the dignity of each member's baptismal name either on a birthday or a baptismal anniversary date. • By Jim Merhaut

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Who is John the Baptist? • Generations of Faith

This crossword puzzle will help your family to prepare for the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, the Advent Season, or the Beheading of John the Baptist. • By Jim Merhaut

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Christmas Season Table Prayers • Generations of Faith

A collection of prayers to use throughout the Christmas season.

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Christmas Vocabulary Game • Generations of Faith

Play this game to build your family's Christmas vocabulary. All you need is a piece of paper and a writing utensil!

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Heroes of Justice Quiz • Generations of Faith

Many people have gone before us and have given a great deal, sometimes their very lives, for the sake of those who suffer from poverty and injustice. Use this quiz at home or at a parish gathering to learn about some of our heroes of justice.

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Names of Jesus Mobile--Home Activity • Generations of Faith

Christmas is a time when we are called to reflect on the meaning of Jesus' names and titles. Work with your family to create this mobile containing the names and titles for Jesus used in the readings for Christmas liturgies.

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Two Nativities for Christmas • Generations of Faith

Reflect on the two versions of the story of Jesus' birth found in the Gospels and set up two nativity scenes in your home that reflect the differences.

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Jesus Son of God: Obedience • Generations of Faith

Virtue Reality

Explore how Jesus is a model for being obedient. • By Agnes Done

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Easter Family Baking • Generations of Faith

Recipes for Easter Bread and Refrigerator Roll Dough.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Easter • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Reflect on the story of Easter and what the Resurrection means for each of us.

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Earth Day: Planting a Tree • Generations of Faith

Plant a tree with your family to celebrate Earth Day.

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Easter: Service Ideas for the Season • Generations of Faith

A collection of service ideas for your family to do during Easter.

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Easter Candle Symbols • Generations of Faith

A home reflection on the meaning of the symbols on the Easter candle. • By Jim Merhaut

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Easter Candle Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

A table prayer to use at home with an Easter candle. • By Jim Merhaut

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The Blessing Egg • Generations of Faith

Teach stewardship with this simple alteration of a traditional Easter egg hunt at home. • By Jim Merhaut

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Celebrating Holy Week at Home • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Scripture, prayers, and activities for celebrating Holy Week at home.

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Journey to New Life • Generations of Faith

Young Adult Lenten Journal

If you are a young adult who has been looking for a way to prepare spiritually for Easter, this book is for you. These reflections have been written by people in their twenties and thirties. These young adults have taken the readings for the Lenten season and used them as a springboard for their own prayerful thought and reflection. Now they invite you to do the same.

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Living Lent Through Service to Others • Generations of Faith

A collection of service ideas for your family during Lent.

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Preparing the Family Lenten Prayer Space • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Use this guide to help your family create a prayer space to use during Lent.

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Mary Crossword Puzzle • Generations of Faith

Complete this crossword puzzle to test your knowledge about Mary.

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Mary's Words • Generations of Faith

A fill-in-the-blank activity to explore Mary's central messages to us.

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Witnesses of Mary • Generations of Faith

Use this quiz to test your knowledge about the various cultural manifestations of Mary, the Mother of God.

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Becoming a Disciple Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

A table prayer focused on answering the call to discipleship.

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Becoming a Disciple Virtue Reality • Generations of Faith

Explore the virtue of self-discipline and how it is needed for discipleship.

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Palm Sunday • First Steps for Families

Let's Make a Pilgrimage!

This home activity invites families to make a pilgrimage to local holy sites as part of their faith journey through Holy Week. • By Paulette Chapman

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Popular Gospel Stories: Pentecost • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Explore the power of the Holy Spirit through his family activity.

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Exploring All Saints' Day: the Beatitudes • Generations of Faith

This reflection asks your family to reflect on the Beatitudes and how each of us measures up to the criteria for being truly blessed.

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Exploring All Saints' Day: The Communion of Saints • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

The Communion of Saints is the community or family of the entire people of God. This activity will give your family the opportunity to reflect on the Communion of Saints - those holy people who have gone before us, and those living among us.

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Pentecost: The Christian Church • Generations of Faith

This activity provides a way for families to reflect on the Holy Spirit's call to unity with other Christian communities.

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Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Generations of Faith

Take home page to help family members apply the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to their family relationships • By Jim Merhaut

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Thanksgiving - the Story of Zaccheus • Generations of Faith

A reflection on generosity based on the story of Zaccheus.

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The Conversion of Paul • Generations of Faith

Use the story of Paul's conversion in Acts of the Apostles to think about your own experiences with conversion.

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The Nicene Creed: Trinity • Generations of Faith

This activity will help participants appreciate the trinitarian structure of the Nicene Creed. You may want to use it in preparation for Trinity Sunday. This activity can be adapted for home or parish use. • By Jim Merhaut

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Trinity: Three-in-One • Generations of Faith

This activity will help families with young children explore the concept of the Trinity. • By Jim Merhaut

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God's Healing Presence Meal Ritual • Generations of Faith

Use this meal ritual to reflect on God's healing presence in our lives.

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Anointing of the Sick • Generations of Faith

Ritual Moments

Use these rituals to reflect on 4 moments from the Sacrament: Litany, Laying on of Hands, Prayer over the Oil and Anointing.

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Healing & Anointing Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

A table prayer to recall the power of healing in our lives.

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Making Meal Time Special • Generations of Faith

Family Enrichment

Use these ideas in your family to help make meal time an important time in your home.

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Eucharist Ritual Moments • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Reflections, prompts, and activities based around Eucharistic themes: bread, wine and cup, Sign of Peace, Our Father, Offertory, and Commissioning.

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Family Scripture Activities • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A couple of activities for learning about the Bible and reflecting on what it is telling us today.

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God's Word at Home • Generations of Faith

Learning and Growing through the Lectionary Readings (English & Spanish)

A simple process you can use for taking the message of the Sunday Gospel reading and applying them to daily life as individuals and families.

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Holy Orders • Generations of Faith

Meal Ritual

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Holy Orders • Generations of Faith

Ritual Moments

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Holy Orders • Generations of Faith

Spiritual Reflection

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Holy Orders • Generations of Faith

Table Prayer

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Marriage Meal Ritual • Generations of Faith

Share stories of darkness and light during this meal ritual and be reminded that we are called to be light for the world.

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Marriage Prayer • Generations of Faith

Litany of Reconciliation

Marriage and family life give us plenty of opportunities to reach out to each other with love and forgiveness. Pray this Litany of Reconciliation together.

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Marriage Ritual Moments • Generations of Faith

Reflect together on blessings and covenants in relation to married and family life.

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Marriage Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

Pray in a special way for all who are married or preparing for marriage in this table prayer.

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Family Reconciliation Ritual: Nails • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A ritual for families to experience reconciliation at home.

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Exploring Reconciliation & Forgiveness • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

This activity allows families to reflect on forgiveness within the family using their own experiences alongside the Gospel.

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Exploring the Prodigal Son • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Use several parables to reflect on sin and forgiveness.

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All Saints' Day Family Reflection • Generations of Faith

Ordinary Holiness (English & Spanish)

This reflection helps families find ways to be holy in the ordinary of everyday life.

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Exploring All Saints' Day: Remembering Our Heritage • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

The feasts of All Saints and All Souls are a time for us to remember and reflect on our heritage as followers of Jesus and as members of the Church. Use this activity to guide your family in remembering your heritage.

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Reconciliation Meal Ritual • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

This ritual will guide families through reflection and prayer based on our call to be the light of the world.

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Reconciliation Ritual Moments • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Reflect together on these moments from the Rite of Reconciliation: Contrition, Confession, Act of Penance, Absolution, and Proclamation of God.

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Reconciliation Table Prayers • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Table prayers for being the salt of the earth and receiving God's healing love.

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Family Values Monthly Activity Listing • Generations of Faith

Work on strengthening your family values in this home activity.

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My Rights and Our Rights • Generations of Faith

Where is the Common Good?

Family members will reflect on their rights within the family and how those rights affect the rest of the family.

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Creation Scripture Activity • Generations of Faith

Use Psalm 65 to reflect on creation.

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Care for Creation: Virtue Reality • Generations of Faith

Creativity

Explore the virtue of creativity in this family activity.

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Virtue Reality: Dignity • Generations of Faith

This activity focuses on the virtue of respect. Use it to help your family think about ways they can practice this virtue.

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Dignity of the Human Person Scripture Reflections • Generations of Faith

Reflect on how these seven scripture passages reveal the dignity of the human person.

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Made by God • Generations of Faith

This activity uses Psalm 139 to reflect on the dignity of the human person.

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Being Advocates for Workers • Generations of Faith

This family activity is designed to raise the consciousness of households about the need to speak up for the working poor in our country.

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Bless the Little Tasks • Generations of Faith

Bless the Little Tasks

Create a work blessing for all of the tasks done at home.

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Show Appreciation • Generations of Faith

Use this activity to acknowledge and appreciate the work everyone in the family does to make life better and easier for everyone else.

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Sometimes It's the How & What • Generations of Faith

Use this activity to recognize the dignity of the work done by family members around the house.

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Catholic Social Teaching Scripture Journey • Generations of Faith

This family activity will guide members through many of the scripture passages related to Catholic Social Teaching.

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Option for the Poor Scripture Activity • Generations of Faith

Use this fill-in-the-blank activity to discover Jesus' central messages about the poor.

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Virtue Reality: Generosity • Generations of Faith

Explore the virtue of generosity in this family activity.

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Virtue Reality: Peace • Generations of Faith

Reflect on the virtue of peace as a family.

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Peace Scripture Reflections • Generations of Faith

Seven scripture reflections about peace.

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Virtue Reality: Responsibility • Generations of Faith

Use this resource to help your family practice the virtue of responsibility.

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Rights & Responsibilities Scripture Activity • Generations of Faith

Use this activity to reflect on basic human rights.

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Rights & Responsibilities Scripture Reflection • Generations of Faith

Seven scripture reflections on the rights of all people & our responsibility to respond.

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Virtue Reality: Solidarity • Generations of Faith

Use this activity to think about what it means to live in solidarity with each other and the world.

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Solidarity Ritual Moments • Generations of Faith

Spend time reflecting on community and breathing in these ritual moments.

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Solidarity Scripture Reflections • Generations of Faith

Seven scripture reflections focused on the theme of solidarity.

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Fruits of the Holy Spirit • Generations of Faith

Confirmation Meal Ritual

Use this meal ritual to reflect on the fruits of the Spirit and we celebrate at Confirmation.

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Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Generations of Faith

Confirmation Table Prayer

A table prayer that focuses on the gifts of the Spirit.

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Confirmation Ritual Moments • Generations of Faith

Reflect together on these moments from the rite of Confirmation: Sponsor, Baptismal Promises, Chrism & Anointing, the Laying on of Hands, and the Seal of the Holy Spirit.

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Daily Temperature Reading • Generations of Faith

Use these five communication tools for daily check-ins with spouses and family.

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Family Reflections on Marriage • Generations of Faith

Share stories and pictures of your wedding day, courtship, and marriage, and plan a renewal of vows together.

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Marriage Meal Ritual • Generations of Faith

Taste & See

Ignite conversation about family with this meal ritual.

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Family Reconciliation Ritual:Stones • Generations of Faith

A ritual for families to use to experience reconciliation at home.

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Preparing for Reconciliation as a Family • Generations of Faith

Parent Guide

A guide for parents to use at home with children preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

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Advent Reflections: Cycle B • Generations of Faith

Reflections on the Sunday readings from St. Paul for Cycle B.

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Exploring Advent: God in Our History • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

During Advent we can reflect on God's presence in our history; how is God revealed to us in our own "histories," in the history of our families?

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Exploring Advent: Sharing Our Gifts • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

This reflection is an opportunity for your family to reflect on your experience of Christmas and "gifts" this year.

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Exploring Advent: The Reign of God • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

This family reflection focuses on the Advent theme of the Reign of God and provides families with the opportunity to reflect on God's reign in their own lives.

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Christmas Season Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A table prayer to use throughout the Christmas Season.

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Advent Family Baking • Generations of Faith

Enjoy making these Christmas rolls and cookies with your family. Think of someone with whom you can share your baked goods this season.

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Stir-Up Sunday • Generations of Faith

First Sunday of Advent

An old family tradition is the stirring of the bowl of Plum Pudding on the first Sunday of Advent: “Stir- up Sunday.” The pudding (prepare it the Saturday before Advent begins) is filled with the good things of the world and is meant to represent Christ who will bring with him on his birthday all of the good things of heaven. Pudding is then stored until Christmas Day.

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Advent Resource • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A one-page summary that highlights the most important aspects of Advent to share with family members.

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Advent: Saints for the Season • Generations of Faith

Virtue Reality

Learn about several December Saints through the virtues of generosity, trust, and simplicity in these three family activities.

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Kwanzaa • Generations of Faith

Learn about the celebration of Kwanzaa and integrate some of its rituals into your family's celebration of the Christmas season.

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Advent Family Rituals • Generations of Faith

Four rituals to use with your family during Advent.

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Advent Wreaths & Prayers • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A short explanation of the symbolism of the Advent wreath, a blessing to use with your wreath at home, and a collection of daily prayers to use with your family throughout Advent.

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Preparing for Christmas • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

This resource includes a variety of things your family might do during Advent to change how you prepare for and celebrate Christmas.

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Epiphany Family Rituals • Generations of Faith

A collection of ways for your family to celebrate Epiphany.

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Advent: Service Ideas for the Season • Generations of Faith

A collection of service ideas for your family to do during Advent.

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All Saints' Day Table Prayers • Generations of Faith

Use this collection of table prayers based on the Beatitudes for eight days leading up to or following the Feast of All Saints on November 1.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Epiphany • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A reflection on gifts based on the story of Jesus' birth.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Holy Family • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Use the feast of the Holy Family as an opportunity to recall your own family memories.

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Dia de Los Reyes Magos • Generations of Faith

Three Kings Day

Compare your family's Christmas traditions to those of families in other parts of the world.

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Childermas • Generations of Faith

Holy Innocents' Day

Use this reading, reflection, and call to action to celebrate Holy Innocents' Day on December 28.

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Baking for Lent & Holy Week • Generations of Faith

Explore Lent & Holy Week themes through baking. Recipes include pretzels, hot cross buns, Easter bread, and refrigerator roll dough.

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Carnival & Mardi Gras • Generations of Faith

Incorporate family members' favorite meals into the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday, and then bake a King's Cake for Fat Tuesday!

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Lenten Transformation • Generations of Faith

Use a spring bulb garden or butterfly garden to experience the growth and transformation that Lent calls us to.

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Living Lent as a Family • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Reflect on the themes of fasting and feasting and commit to some family Lenten resolutions.

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Family Resources for Lent • Generations of Faith

Books, movies, and seasonal highlights to enrich your family's observance of Lent.

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Lent: Saints for the Season • Generations of Faith

Virtue Reality

Learn about several March Saints through the virtues of humility, sacrifice, & faith

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Exploring Lent: Conversion • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Lent is an opportunity for conversion. Reflect with your family on your experiences of Lent and conversion.

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Family Mardi Gras Celebration • Generations of Faith

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Lent: Living Simply • Generations of Faith

Discover ways your family can live more simply during Lent.

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Easter Family Resources • Generations of Faith

Books, movies, and seasonal highlights to enrich your family's celebration of Easter.

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Easter: Saints for the Season • Generations of Faith

Virtue Reality

Explore the virtues of love, courage, and devotion by learning about the Saints of the Easter Season.

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Is There Really an Easter Bunny? • Generations of Faith

Use this resource to guide your family's discuss of the Easter bunny and its symbolism.

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The Fire of the Holy Spirit Fondue • Generations of Faith

Families can use this fun and tasty activity to learn about why fire is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. • By jim merhaut

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Pentecost Wind Sock • Generations of Faith

Honor the power of the Holy Spirit by creating a wind sock to display in your yard or window on Pentecost Sunday.

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Popular Gospel Stories: 10 Lepers • Generations of Faith

Use the story of the ten lepers to think about gratitude.

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Easter with a Bang • Generations of Faith

Use this balloon activity to explore the scripture stories about the resurrection.

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Lectionary Cycle B: Gospel Watch • Generations of Faith

Use this chart to be on the lookout for Gospel stories you will hear throughout the year. • By Leif Kehrwald

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Baptism, the Birds, & the Bees • Generations of Faith

Learning about Christian initiation provides parents with an excellent opportunity to have a talk with children about child birth.

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Church Scripture Reflections • Generations of Faith

Seven Scripture reflections to help families reflect on the Church.

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Church Virtue Reality: Unity • Generations of Faith

Reflection on the virtue of unity.

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Respect for All Life Word Search • Generations of Faith

Use this home activity to reflect on key concepts included in respect for all life. • By Jane Angha

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Saints of Service • Generations of Faith

As a family, can you match a list of Saints with the people they served?

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Who Needs You to Be Neighbor? • Generations of Faith

Read the story of the rich man & Lazarus, and for one week track all of the stories, personal experiences, news reports, and other ways you hear about people in need.

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Called to Serve: The Works of Mercy • Generations of Faith

Reflect on how your family can make service a part of your everyday routine while you study the Works of Mercy.

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Proclaiming Hope

Learning Through Books: Hope for the Flowers

Use this book to explore the theme of hope.

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God the Father: Scripture Reflections • Generations of Faith

Seven scripture reflections focused on God the Father and Creator.

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God Virtue Reality: Perseverance • Generations of Faith

Reflect on the virtue of perseverance in light of how God perseveres with us.

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Prayer: Scripture Reflections • Generations of Faith

Seven scripture reflections focused on the theme of prayer.

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Pathways in Prayer • Generations of Faith

Complete this short quiz to help you reflect on your own prayer preferences.

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Reading the Bible: Breakfast on the Beach • Generations of Faith

Read and re-tell the scripture story of breakfast on the beach.

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Reading the Bible: Prayer • Generations of Faith

Four ways to use the Bible for prayer.

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Creeds in the Bible • Generations of Faith

During Advent, Lent or the Easter season cut these scripture passages apart, place them in a bowl, and as a family read and discuss one each evening.

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Covenant & Community • Generations of Faith

Explore the covenants God made with God's people and then create a family covenant.

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Nicene Creed Matching Game • Generations of Faith

Match phrases from the Nicene Creed to who or what it applies to in this family activity.

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I See the Face of God in You • Generations of Faith

Think about influential people in your lives and how you see God in those people.

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Homemade Hearthstones • Generations of Faith

Make a set of family hearthstones and use them for a family activity.

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Pick a Card Discussion Activity • Generations of Faith

This activity will guide participants to reflect on the ways that God is revealed in daily life.

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Scripture Revelation Ritual • Generations of Faith

This activity will guide participants in recalling the words, phrases, and passages of Scripture that they carry in their hearts and discuss how God reveals Godself to us in those passages.

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Learning to Pray with Kateri Tekakwitha • First Steps for Families

Use St. Kateri as a model for learning how to pray.

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Our Family Creed • Generations of Faith

As a Christian community we profess our faith through the reciting of the Creed. As households of faith we sometimes live an unspoken creed about who we want to be as a family. This activity will guide you through articulating those beliefs.

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Professing Our Faith • Generations of Faith

Use this fill-in-the-blank activity to review what your family knows about the Creed.

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Put Your Heart Into It • Generations of Faith

You are not alone if sometimes you feel bored by reciting the Creed week after week at Mass. Here are four suggestions for putting your heart into the Creed.

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Liturgical Year • Generations of Faith

Use this blank liturgical calendar to practice labeling the seasons of the church year.

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Service Ideas for Fall • Generations of Faith

This resource includes many ideas for fall service projects. They can be adapted for other times of the year.

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Enough for Everyone • Generations of Faith

Celebrating World Food Day

The purpose of World Food Day is to focus people's attention on food and to get all the world's people working together to find solutions to problems like food distribution and hunger. Use this activity to guide your family in a reflection on World Food Day.

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St.Patrick's Day Celebration • Generations of Faith

March 17

Ideas for celebrating the feast of St. Patrick in your home.

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The Workers in the Vineyard • Generations of Faith

Understanding God's Love

Use this activity to remember that God loves all of us, no matter what.

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The Greatest Commandments • Generations of Faith

The Law of Love

Use this activity to explore Jesus' teaching of the Greatest Commandments.

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In the Footsteps of Jesus

Use this activity to view an interactive satellite photo map that will take you to the places Jesus went.

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Church Structure

In our study of Church Structure we have learned that we are part of something much bigger. The Youth Edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (youcat) can help us understand more of what we are a part of in the Church.

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Ash Wednesday Celebration • Generations of Faith

Use this activity to identify actions each family member can take to enter into the sacrificial spirit of Lent.

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Reading the Bible as a Catholic Family • Generations of Faith

Six ways you can read the Bible as a family. • By Leif Kehrwald

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Synoptic Scavenger Hunt • Generations of Faith

Use this activity to discover the stories found in the Synoptic Gospels.

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Divine Revelation • Generations of Faith

Gospel Chaos

Complete this chart of various Gospel stories where Jesus reveals himself.

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Gospel of Matthew • Generations of Faith

Family Scripture Reflection

Together as a family, rewrite the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew's Gospel.

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Exploring the Mission of Our Family: Our Church of the Home • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A family reflection that focuses on our family mission: to love God, to love each other, to forgive, to serve, to reach out to those in need.

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Making Peace at Home • Generations of Faith

A checklist for families to create more peace in the home.

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Waiting: An Advent Journal • Generations of Faith

Create an Advent journal to record your thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams, and questions during Advent. This can be done as an individual or as a family.

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Martin Luther King, Jr. • Generations of Faith

Use this activity to reflect as a family on justice, equality, and the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Valentine's Day • Generations of Faith

Use this family activity to reflect on God's great love for all of us.

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Remembering Baptism • First Steps for Families

This activity will lead you through creating a special candle and commemorating the anniversary of each family member's baptism.

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Preparing in Advent • First Steps for Families

Make an Advent wreath at home to use during Advent.

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

November 2

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Giving Work the Dignity it Deserves • First Steps for Families

(English & Spanish)

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Fall: Service Ideas for the Season • Generations of Faith

A collection of service ideas for families.

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Fall: Saints for the Season • Generations of Faith

Virtue Reality

Learn about several fall saints through the virtues of compassion, the love of learning, and discipleship.

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Lectionary Reflections on the Gospels • Generations of Faith

Advent & Christmas Cycle A

Refections based on the readings for Advent & Christmas from Cycle A.

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Lectionary Reflections on the Gospels • Generations of Faith

Advent & Christmas Cycle B

Reflections based on the readings for Advent & Christmas from Cycle B.

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Lectionary Reflections on the Gospels • Generations of Faith

Advent & Christmas Cycle C

Reflections based on the readings for Advent & Christmas from Cycle C.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Be Good to Those Who Hate You • Generations of Faith

A family activity based on Luke 6:27-38.

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Popular Gospel Stories: God's Love • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on the parable of the workers in the vineyard.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Jesus Begins His Ministry • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Matthew 4:12-23.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Jesus of Nazareth • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Luke 4:21-30.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Law of Love • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Matthew 22:34-40, the Greatest Commandment.

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Popular Gospel Stories: The Rich Man & Lazarus • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Luke 16:19-31.

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Popular Gospel Stories: The Prodigal Son • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Luke 15:1-32.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Salt & Light • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Matthew 5:13-16.

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Popular Gospel Stories: The Leper's Secret • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Mark 10:40-45.

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Popular Gospel Stories: The Paralyzed Man • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Mark 2:1-12.

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Popular Gospel Stories: The Whole Town Gathered • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Mark 1:29-39.

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Popular Gospel Stories: The Widow • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Mark 12:38-44.

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Popular Gospel Stories: To the Least of These • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Matthew 25:31-46, the Works of Mercy.

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Popular Gospel Stories: The Wedding Feast • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on John 12:1-12, the wedding at Cana.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Bartimaeus • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Mark 10:46-52.

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Winter: Service Ideas for the Season • Generations of Faith

A collection of service ideas for your family to do during the winter.

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Corpus Christi: Feast of the Body & Blood of Christ • FamilyFaith@Home

June 22

Celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi with your family.

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Family Fun in the Summer • FamilyFaith@Home

A collection of ideas for families during the summer, including game night, nightly stories, and a travel game.

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Family Graduation Rituals • FamilyFaith@Home

Incorporate scripture, prayer and storytelling into your family graduation celebration.

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Feast of Saint John the Baptist • FamilyFaith@Home

June 24

Commemorate the date of the death of St. John the baptist and celebrate the summer solstice with your family.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Loaves & Fishes • FamilyFaith@Home

Reflect on scarcity and abundance using the story of the feeding of the 5000 from Matthew's gospel.

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Martin Luther King, Jr. • FamilyFaith@Home

Dream for a Better World

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National Parents' Day • FamilyFaith@Home

Fourth Sunday in July

Celebrate this day together to help focus on the role of parents and the status of parents in our communities.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Walking on Water • FamilyFaith@Home

Reflect on the story from Matthew's gospel of Jesus walking on water.

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Exploring Faithfulness & Trust • FamilyFaith@Home

This activity will help parents communicate the value of faithfulness and trust with younger children.

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Exploring Conversion • FamilyFaith@Home

Conversion is all about change. Lent is an opportunity for conversion. Reflect with your family on your experiences of Lent and see if you can identify moments of conversion.

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Family Scripture Reflection • FamilyFaith@Home

A guide to scripture reflection at home.

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Home Activities: Forgiveness • FamilyFaith@Home

Ideas for giving & receiving forgiveness at home.

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Home Activities: Church • FamilyFaith@Home

Ideas for exploring the idea of Church at home.

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Home Activities: Jesus • FamilyFaith@Home

Activities to do at home to develop a greater understanding of Jesus.

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Pacific Asian Month • FamilyFaith@Home

May

May is set aside as a time to study and honor the civilizations, cultures, countries and contributions of the people of Asia and the Pacific. Here is a collection of family activities to focus on for the month.

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Mission Sunday • Generations of Faith

Ritual for Mission

A family ritual to recognize that we are all called to bring the good news of Jesus to the world.

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Living in Solidarity

What's in a Label?

Living in solidarity requires prayer, education, and action. One way to move toward solidarity and serve the good of all is by making the conscious choice to purchase items that are consistent with the social principles of our faith. This activity will have you going through your closets and cabinets to find out where your items come from. • By Gladys Pozza

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Living Like Christ • First Steps for Families

Don't Worry

The world today encourages us to put ourselves first and to do all we can to be happy, healthy and comfortable. Jesus challenged followers to not worry about themselves, but to put others' needs before their own and all their needs would be met as well. Explore this idea with your family.

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Living Like Christ • First Steps for Families

Commandments for Every Day Living

The Ten Commandments are ten incredible statements that help us live lives that are happy and holy. They teach us how to live so we bring the Good News of our faith to others without even saying a word.

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Collaborative Problem Solving

Family Enrichment

Occasional conflict and disagreement are normal occurrences in family life. Collaborative problem-solving provides a means of handling the changes and disruptions that occur regularly in the family with adolescents.

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Encouraging Young Children

Family Enrichment

Encouragement is a skill parents can learn to help children grow in self-esteem. Encouragement focuses on children's strengths and assets, and recognizes their efforts and improvements.

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Enriching Relationships in Blended Families

Family Enrichment

Families today come in different sizes, shapes and configurations. Many children and youth live at least a portion of their lives in blended families, sharing their home with one biological parent, a step parent and a mixture of biological and step siblings. Use these guidelines for easing the adjustment of parents into stepfamily life.

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Family Media Ideas

Family Enrichment

Use these guidelines for media use in your home.

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Family Meeting Plan

Family Enrichment

Studies show that healthy families communicate well. This fact, by itself, is not exactly a new revelation. Common sense tells us that effective communication is necessary for families to function in a healthy way. Use this process for setting up family meetings in your home.

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Making Family Memories

Family Enrichment

Things that family members do together, like family celebrations and vacations, day trips and work projects, build their sense of what it means to be family and provide a reserve of good memories that can be drawn on for encouragement and support when family life gets hectic or hassled. Try these tips for creating new memories and keeping old memories young.

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Making Good Decisions

Family Enrichment

Use this five-step problem-solving method called SODAS to think more clearly and base your decisions on sound reasoning.

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Negotiating Within the Family

Family Enrichment

Parents and children often have different opinions on how family responsibilities should be shared or family policies enforced. A contract is simply a written statement of what your child agrees to do and what the consequences are if he or she accomplishes the goal.

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No TV Tuesday

Family Enrichment

This activity is intended to provide a way for families to gather, pray, and share their faith in order to deepen personal and family spirituality.

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Parenting & Encouragement

Family Enrichment

One of the key roles of parents is to encourage and enable the growth of their children. Parenting by encouraging builds self-esteem through focusing attention on the child's resources. Use these strategies for encouraging the growth of your children.

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Planning a Family Event

Family Enrichment

Families are so busy these days that they don't have the opportunity to be together on a regular basis. Encourage your family members to decide on an activity in which everyone can participate.

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Special Child Night

Family Enrichment

As children grow they develop a social calendar all their own. Trying to keep family calendars balanced and guarantee quality time for family relationships can be difficult. Adopt the tradition of special child nights as a way of building special parent-child time into your crowded family schedules.

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Spending Time Together as a Family

Family Enrichment

This activity provides a framework for families to interact with each other and strengthen family ties.

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Strengthening Parent-Teen Relationships

Family Enrichment

During adolescence the parenting role begins to shift in major ways. As young people begin to take more personal responsibility for their own lives and grow increasingly independent, parents are faced with the task of restructuring their relationships with teens. Follow these guidelines to shift and strengthen a new relationship with your teen.

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A Guide to Family Rituals • FamilyFaith@Home

Rituals are essential for our family life. Family rituals give us a sense of permanence, the assurance that even the most ordinary of family activities are meaningful and significant. Use this guide to form your own family rituals.

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Adolescent Rites of Passage • FamilyFaith@Home

Many important events go unmarked and uncelebrated in the life of an adolescent. Sometimes this happens because of shame or embarrassment or because accomplishments and changes have gone unnoticed. Marking these passages offer an opportunity to celebrate family values.

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Bedtime Rituals • FamilyFaith@Home

In every culture, parents create bedtime rituals for babies and young children to ease separation from the parent and the passage from waking state to sleeping state. The familiar repetition of such bedtime rituals marks and defines the parent-child relationship as one where comfort, reliability, and safety are available. Use this guide to create your own bedtime rituals.

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Birthday Rituals • FamilyFaith@Home

Birthdays can be an important time for individuals and families to mark new family relationships, honor the aging process, remember the birth parents, reconnect when there has been loss or cutoffs, and just have fun. Use this guide to create your own birthday rituals.

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Death Rituals • FamilyFaith@Home

Use this guide to create rituals for your family when they experience a death.

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Leisure Rituals • FamilyFaith@Home

Use this guide to create family rituals centered on leisure time.

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Marriage Rituals • FamilyFaith@Home

Use this guide to create your own family rituals when someone gets married.

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Mealtime Rituals • FamilyFaith@Home

The family meal is a ritual through with families learn about many aspects of their relationships, including gender roles; boundaries around individuals, pairs, allowable topics for conversation; the range of permitted emotions; changes in family members; and the family as a whole. Use these ideas to jumpstart your own family meal rituals.

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Milestones in School Rituals • FamilyFaith@Home

Use these ideas to mark school milestones.

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Modern Life Passage Rituals • FamilyFaith@Home

Ritual ideas for when families experience divorce, retirement, or a geographical change.

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Rituals for Leaving & Returning • FamilyFaith@Home

Family members develop ritualized ways of saying good-bye when they leave each other to go to work or school, and of saying hello when they greet each other again after being apart. Here are some ideas to help you develop your own family rituals.

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Baptism Rituals • FamilyFaith@Home

The Christian Church has a special way of welcoming and supporting the development of a child's faith life. This special way is Baptism. To help celebrate the reception of this sacrament, here are some favorite baptism celebrations that you might find helpful in expressing your hopefulness for your child and the newest member of the Christian community.

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Rituals for Welcoming a New Baby • FamilyFaith@Home

Use these ideas to create your own rituals for welcoming a new baby.

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Rituals for Mothers' Day & Fathers' Day • FamilyFaith@Home

A collection of ideas for families to celebrate mothers and fathers.

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Popular Gospel Stories: God Knows Us • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Matthew 10:26-33.

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Popular Gospel Stories: The Mustard Seed • Generations of Faith

A family reflection on the parable of the mustard seed from Mark 4:26-34.

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Popular Gospel Stories: A Woman Washes Jesus' Feet • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on the woman who washes Jesus' feet from Luke 7:36-8:3.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Jesus Calms the Storm • Generations of Faith

A family reflection on Jesus calming the storm at sea from Mark 4:35-41.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Mary & Martha • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on the story of Mary & Martha from Luke 10:38-42.

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Popular Gospel Stories: the Good Samaritan • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on the story of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37.

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Popular Gospel Stories: Two by Two • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Jesus sending his apostles out two by two from Mark 6:7-13.

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Halloween Ideas • FamilyFaith@Home

Ideas to help your family celebrate Halloween.

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Labor Day • FamilyFaith@Home

Ideas to help your family celebrate Labor Day.

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Media & Print Resources for Fall • FamilyFaith@Home

A collection of books and movies to share with your family in the fall.

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Popular Gospel Stories: the Greatest Commandment • FamilyFaith@Home

A family reflection on the Greatest Commandment, found in Mark 12:28-34.

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Media & Print Resources for Summer • FamilyFaith@Home

A collection of books and movies to share with your family during the summer.

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Summer: Saints for the Season • FamilyFaith@Home

Virtue Reality

Learn about several summer saints through the virtues of hospitality, leadership, and zeal.

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Service Ideas for the Summer • FamilyFaith@Home

A collection of service ideas for families to do in the summer.

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Winter: Saints for the Season • Generations of Faith

Virtue Reality

Learn about several winter saints through the virtues of faithfulness, friendship, and vision.

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New Year's Eve / Day • FamilyFaith@Home

Ideas for celebrating the new year with your family.

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Media & Print Resources for Winter • FamilyFaith@Home

A collection of books and movies to share with your family during the winter.

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Praying into Sunday: Eucharistic Adoration

Remembering the Importance of Eucharist in our Homes

A family activity to help us remember the importance of Eucharist.

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