Advent

We prepare for Jesus' coming as a baby in Bethlehem and for his eventual return.

Christmas Season

We celebrate Christ's birth—the incarnation—so that God could be with us in a more intimate way.

Epiphany

Christ is made known to all the nations, as the magi visit and offer their gifts.

Holy Family

We learn from Jesus' family—the examples of Mary and Joseph—how to be holy ourselves.

O Antiphons

Our Lady of Guadalupe

The themes of Our Lady of Guadalupe—unity of all humankind, dignity for all God's children, hope for a better life, love and support from God and our Blessed Mother—are all embodied in this brown-skinned woman.

December Faith Festivals • Faith Festivals

February Faith Festivals • Faith Festivals

January Faith Festivals • Faith Festivals

Advent & Christmas Social Activities • Gather Us In

A party, a cookie swap, and caroling -- three activities to help your family celebrate the season. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Advent Wreath-Making Session • Gather Us In

This activity is designed to encourage families to celebrate with Advent wreaths by giving them the opportunity to make them together. It will be necessary to have the families sign up in advance so that you will know how much material you will need. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Jesse Tree Session • Gather Us In

A Jesse tree is a bare branch that holds symbols of all the people who waited and prepared for the coming of the Messiah. It is this love and preparation that make flowers burst forth from the branch, and this is why a stark branch, rather than an evergreen tree, is used. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Winter & Lenten Social Activities • Gather Us In

Ideas meant to jump-start your own brainstorming for social activities for families. They are tentatively placed according to season, but many would work at different times of the year, particularly in different climates. These are an aid to your ingenuity, not a replacement for it. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Winter: A Church Going Forth

This resource connects you to examples of seasonal commemorations and opportunities with the hope that it might spark the interest and passion of the families you serve. By offering families guidance, resources, and space to explore such moments through a Catholic faith lens, we empower them to more deeply understand the realities of the world and respond faithfully in it. Faith-based resources, web links, and suggested action steps are also provided for encouraging research and peer leadership. Using some of these ideas for fostering a global sense of mission in youth and families can also help them to be the Church going forth in joy, in hope, and in the world this winter. • By Ted Miles

Winter FamilyFaith@Home • FamilyFaith@Home

Resources to help families engage in shared prayer, faith sharing, service and reflection.

February First Steps for Families • First Steps for Families

These are all the resources for First Steps for Families for the month of February.

January First Steps for Families • First Steps for Families

These are all the resources for First Steps for Families for the month of January.

March First Steps for Families • First Steps for Families

These are all the resources for First Steps for Families for the month of March.

2023-24 Winter Weekly Justice Challenges

Year B

Place these justice challenges in your bulletin or on your website to encourage parishioners to embrace just living.

Advent Justice & Service

A collection of Advent resources based on justice and service.

Winter FamilyFaith@Home • FamilyFaith@Home

Resources to help families engage in shared prayer, faith sharing, service and reflection.

Mardi Gras Celebration • Generations of Faith

This program begins with a festive Mardi Gras celebration of favorite foods and games and then shifts from feasting to fasting with a reflection and prayer service that prepares participants for a meaningful experience of Lent.

Winter: Service Ideas for the Season • Generations of Faith

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

Advent & Christmas Service Activities • Gather Us In

Try some of these service activities to help your family embrace the spirit of the season. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Winter & Lenten Service Activities • Gather Us In

Ideas meant to jump-start your own brainstorming for service activities for families. They are tentatively placed according to season, but many would work at different times of the year, particularly in different climates. These are an aid to your ingenuity, not a replacement for it. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Lenten Justice & Service

A collection of service ideas for Lent and beyond.