Church Virtue Reality: Unity • Generations of Faith

Reflection on the virtue of unity.

Catholic Prayer: the Rosary

This session explores the Rosary as a devotion of the Catholic Church. We will look at how to pray the Rosary, the Scriptural basis for the mysteries, and ways to connect the Rosary to our lives. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Besides sacramental liturgy and sacramentals, catechesis must take into account the forms of piety and popular devotions among the faithful. The religious sense of the Christian people has always found expression in various forms of piety surrounding the Church’s sacramental life, such as the veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, pilgrimages, processions, the stations of the cross, religious dances, the rosary, medals, etc.” (1674). “Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him” (2708). • By John Roberto

Catholic Prayers & Devotions

This session focuses on treasured and traditional forms of Catholic prayer and devotion. The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of prayer, including Eucharistic adoration, Liturgy of the Hours, novenas, and prayers to patron saints. All of these prayer paths lead us to intimate communion with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and all call us to be Christ-like in the world. “In the living tradition of prayer, each Church proposes to its faithful, according to its historic, social, and cultural context, a language for prayer: words, melodies, gestures, iconography. The Magisterium of the Church has the task of discerning the fidelity of these ways of praying to the tradition of apostolic faith; it is for pastors and catechists to explain their meaning, always in relation to Jesus Christ” (CCC 2663). • By John Roberto

We Believe in the Church

This session explores images of the Church—People of God, Sacrament, and Body of Christ—and the mission and ministries of the Church—what the Church does (ministries) and why the Church acts in these ways (mission). It engages the participants in understanding how the mission of Jesus and the Early Church is being lived by the Church today. This session presents the Church as a living community through the lens of six fundamental ministries: prayer and liturgy, service to those in need, community life, teaching, care and healing, and proclaiming the Good News (evangelization). • By John Roberto

Vatican II

This collection contains a wealth of resources to help you share the message of the Second Vatican Council with your community. Pope John Paul II called Vatican II "the Advent Liturgy of the new millennium." It's vital that all parish leaders be familiar with what this Council did and how the Holy Spirit moved the Church to reform itself in the work of the world's bishops and Popes.

The Believing Community • FIRE

The Holy Catholic Church

In this session participants will recognize that saints are people who live Spirit-filled lives. Many people who are never canonized are saints, and all of us are called to live as saints. All the saints, living and dead, make up the community we call the Church or the communion of saints. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Acts of the Apostles

Guidance for Being Church Today

A close look at Acts of the Apostles to answer the question, "What is the Church?" • By Ronald D. Witherup SS

Early Church History

Resources related to the beginnings of Christianity.

Community Building

Dedication of an Altar or New Church • Generations of Faith

In this session, participants will prepare for the dedication of a new altar or new Church. • By Jim Merhaut

Church Structure

The Church includes the various unified levels: Domestic, Parish, Diocesan, National, Universal

Church Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

At this meal, families will focus on the Church as a community of believers who gather around the table.

Church Scripture Reflections • Generations of Faith

Seven Scripture reflections to help families reflect on the Church.

Church Ritual Moments • Generations of Faith

Two ritual moments for families to reflect on Church.

Loving the Church • Whole Community Catechesis

(English & Spanish)

This session will help participants to understand that the word "church" designates those whom God’s word gathers together to form the people of God, nourished with the body of Christ to become the body of Christ.

Loving the Church • Parent Learning Centers

Helping Our Family Live Our Faith

This session will help parents to understand that the word "church" designates those whom God’s word gathers together to form the people of God, nourished with the body of Christ to become the body of Christ. They will learn how to talk with their children about life in the Catholic Church in ways that will help them grow into a lifetime of faith. • By Bill Huebsch

Family: The Domestic Church

One, Holy, Catholic & Apostolic

The four characteristics, or marks, of the Church are rooted in the work of the Holy Spirit. What do they mean? How do they impact our relationship with each other and with the world?

The Church: Jesus' Mission Continues

The Church is the assembly of those who believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Church members express their belief in God by loving each other and by continuing the mission that Jesus Christ revealed two thousand years ago. The mission of Jesus Christ can be understood in a wide variety of ways, and so Church leaders have used many different images over the years to describe the Church and how it carries on Christ's mission in the world.