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.

Communion of Saints

Who is Your Role Model?

Explore contemporary heroes of the Catholic faith.

Epiphany • Generations of Faith

Home Blessing

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

Epiphany: Reflecting on Gifts • Generations of Faith

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

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

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

Our Lenten Journey • Generations of Faith

RCIA Moment

Reflection on the Samaritan woman.

Our Lady of Guadalupe: Called to Service

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

Gathered by Eucharist: Sent in Mission

Special Meals

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

What is Faith?

Secret Saints

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Discipleship: New Testament Role Models

Home Activity: Prayer

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

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.

Earth Day

Eco Footprint

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

Earth Day

Pledge to Protect

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

Economic Justice

Eight Beatitudes of Parenting

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

Economic Justice

Option For the Poor

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Thanksgiving Tables: Service

Home service challenge for Thanksgiving.

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

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

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.

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.

Seven Days of Stewardship

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

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

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

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.

Benedictine Spirituality

A Line a Day

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

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?

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.

Forgiveness & Reconciliation

Amends

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

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."

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?"

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

Proclaiming Hope

Getting Hope, Giving Hope

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

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.

Proclaiming Hope

Signs of Hope

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

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apostle Easter Eggs

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

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.

Gospel of John

Bread of Life

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

Gospel of John

Good Shepherd Maze

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

Gospel of John

Seven Signs Crossword

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

Gospel of John

Vine and Branches

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

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.

Gospel of Luke

Family Life

Use this activity to reflect on Jesus as a youth.

Gospel of Luke

Getting to Know Luke

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

Gospel of Luke

Who's Left Out?

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

Gospel of Mark

Blind Bart

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

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.

Gospel of Mark

Scavenger Hunt

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

Gospel of Matthew

Scavenger Hunt

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

Intro to Old Testament • Generations of Faith

Picture Collage

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

Lectionary Cycle C: Gospel Watch

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

Weekly Storytime • Generations of Faith

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

Letter to the Hebrews

Sharing Our Sacrifices

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

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

O Antiphons

Home Activity: Jesus' Birth

O Antiphons

Home Activity: O Come Emmanuel

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.

Pentateuch

Liberation Prayer

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

Prophets of the Old Testament

God Is Greater

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

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.

St. Paul

Paul's Challenge to Live the Gospel

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

St. Paul

Called to Holiness

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

St. Paul

Tracing Paul's Journey

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

Children's Gospel Stories

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

Curious NT Question

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

Curious OT Question

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

Hosea 11

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

Isaiah 43

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

New Testament Picture Collage

A family activity to explore several New Testament stories.

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.

Sayings of Jesus • Generations of Faith

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

Synoptic Gospels

Exploration

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

Write an Epistle

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

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

Gospel Commandments

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

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.

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.

Wisdom Literature

Movie Activity

A family activity to deepen your understanding of wisdom.

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.

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. 

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

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

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

Lenten Fasting • First Steps for Families

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

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

Lenten Prayer • First Steps for Families

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

Saint Joseph Celebration of Fatherhood • First Steps for Families

March 19

Home activity for celebration of fatherhood. • By Jim Merhaut

Feast of the Visitation • First Steps for Families

Home Activity

By Joan Weber

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

Works of Mercy • First Steps for Families

(English & Spanish)

By Jane Angha

The Muppets • Faith Festivals

(English & Spanish)

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

Beatitude Attitude

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

Got Talent?

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

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.

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

Happy Birthday, Mary! • First Steps for Families

September 8

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

Sign of Blessing • First Steps for Families

Home Activity

By Tom East

Sign of the Cross • First Steps for Families

(English & Spanish)

By Joan Weber

Celebrating John XXIII • First Steps for Families

October 11

By Joan Weber

Meal Blessings • First Steps for Families

(English & Spanish)

By Jane Angha

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

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

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

Getting to Know Jesus • Faith Festivals

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

Advent Weekly Table Prayers • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Table prayers for each week of Advent.

Easter • FamilyFaith@Home

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

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.

Fall Prayers • FamilyFaith@Home

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

Fall: Family Service • FamilyFaith@Home

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

Fall: Family Faith-Sharing • FamilyFaith@Home

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

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

Easter Hope • First Steps for Families

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

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

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

Home Activity

By Jane Angha

Improving Family Communication

Family Enrichment

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

Understanding Families with Young Children

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

Early Church History • Generations of Faith

Being Missionaries Like Paul

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

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.

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.

Communion of Saints: Holiness • Generations of Faith

Virtue Reality

Explore the idea of holiness within your family.

Communion of Saints Meal Ritual • Generations of Faith

Use this meal ritual to share stories about the Saints.

Communion of Saints Ritual Moments • Generations of Faith

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

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.

Email from God • Generations of Faith

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

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.

Consult the Sources • Generations of Faith

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

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.

Five Steps of Moral Decision-Making • Generations of Faith

Reflect on the five steps of moral decision-making.

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.

Corporal Works of Mercy FAQ • Generations of Faith

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

Practicing Virtue • Generations of Faith

Use this resource to reflect on several moral virtues.

Ten Commandments Activity • Generations of Faith

Write a modern-day version of the Ten Commandments.

Learning More about Mission • Generations of Faith

A listing of two websites on mission to send home.

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

Use this story to deepen your understanding of solidarity.

Advent Daily Prayers for Families • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

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

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.

Blessing Before the Christmas Meal • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A table prayer for Christmas.

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.

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.

Prayers for Every Day of Advent • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Simple prayers to use for each day of Advent.

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.

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.

Advent Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

Table prayer to use with your family throughout Advent.

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.

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.

Patron Saint for the Year • Generations of Faith

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

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.

Will the Real Saint Please Stand? • Generations of Faith

This family activity explores the three categories of saints.

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.

All Souls' Day Meal Ritual • Generations of Faith

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Popular Gospel Stories: Ascension • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

Christmas Season Table Prayers • Generations of Faith

A collection of prayers to use throughout the Christmas season.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Jesus Son of God: Obedience • Generations of Faith

Virtue Reality

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

Easter Family Baking • Generations of Faith

Recipes for Easter Bread and Refrigerator Roll Dough.

Popular Gospel Stories: Easter • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

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

Earth Day: Planting a Tree • Generations of Faith

Plant a tree with your family to celebrate Earth Day.

Easter: Service Ideas for the Season • Generations of Faith

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

Easter Candle Symbols • Generations of Faith

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

Easter Candle Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

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

The Blessing Egg • Generations of Faith

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

Celebrating Holy Week at Home • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

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

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.

Living Lent Through Service to Others • Generations of Faith

A collection of service ideas for your family during Lent.

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.

Mary Crossword Puzzle • Generations of Faith

Complete this crossword puzzle to test your knowledge about Mary.

Mary's Words • Generations of Faith

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

Witnesses of Mary • Generations of Faith

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

Becoming a Disciple Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

A table prayer focused on answering the call to discipleship.

Becoming a Disciple Virtue Reality • Generations of Faith

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

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

Popular Gospel Stories: Pentecost • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Thanksgiving - the Story of Zaccheus • Generations of Faith

A reflection on generosity based on the story of Zaccheus.

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.

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

Trinity: Three-in-One • Generations of Faith

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

God's Healing Presence Meal Ritual • Generations of Faith

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

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.

Healing & Anointing Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Holy Orders • Generations of Faith

Meal Ritual

Holy Orders • Generations of Faith

Ritual Moments

Holy Orders • Generations of Faith

Spiritual Reflection

Holy Orders • Generations of Faith

Table Prayer

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.

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.

Marriage Ritual Moments • Generations of Faith

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

Marriage Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

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

Family Reconciliation Ritual: Nails • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

A ritual for families to experience reconciliation at home.

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.

Exploring the Prodigal Son • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

Use several parables to reflect on sin and forgiveness.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reconciliation Table Prayers • Generations of Faith

(English & Spanish)

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

Family Values Monthly Activity Listing • Generations of Faith

Work on strengthening your family values in this home activity.

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.

Creation Scripture Activity • Generations of Faith

Use Psalm 65 to reflect on creation.

Care for Creation: Virtue Reality • Generations of Faith

Creativity

Explore the virtue of creativity in this family activity.

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.

Dignity of the Human Person Scripture Reflections • Generations of Faith

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

Made by God • Generations of Faith

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

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.

Bless the Little Tasks • Generations of Faith

Bless the Little Tasks

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

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.

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.

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.

Option for the Poor Scripture Activity • Generations of Faith

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

Virtue Reality: Generosity • Generations of Faith

Explore the virtue of generosity in this family activity.

Virtue Reality: Peace • Generations of Faith

Reflect on the virtue of peace as a family.

Peace Scripture Reflections • Generations of Faith

Seven scripture reflections about peace.

Virtue Reality: Responsibility • Generations of Faith

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

Rights & Responsibilities Scripture Activity • Generations of Faith

Use this activity to reflect on basic human rights.

Rights & Responsibilities Scripture Reflection • Generations of Faith

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

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.

Solidarity Ritual Moments • Generations of Faith

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

Solidarity Scripture Reflections • Generations of Faith

Seven scripture reflections focused on the theme of solidarity.