Monday - Friday: 8am - 2pm
Family Prayer Resources
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Article about parenting: St. Louis and Zelie Martin
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The Domestic Church - The Family
The Catholic Card Game
The Catholic Card Game is both fun and faithful, with all its content coming from the deep wells of the Catholic Faith, Tradition, and community. It's a great game to play with 3-10+ of your Catholic (and non-Catholic!) friends and family of all ages. The game includes 400 fill-in-the-blank cards so it's different each time you play. Review comments: "So much family fun...even the younger grandkids can join in." "Most pleased that with my grandchildren, the game went well! A really fun and hopeful way to engage families in laughs, information, and community!" To learn more and purchase the game, click HERE. Or contact your parish to borrow the game from Archdiocese of Dubuque Faith Formation Resources (GM #04216).
Living the Catholic Life
October 2 – The Feast of the Holy Guardian AngelsPray a Guardian Angel Prayer as a family. Enjoy baking an angel food cake, or complete an angel craft, and learn more about what the Church teaches about Guardian Angels.
October 7 - The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
This year, the feast day also falls on First Saturday! Consider beginning a First Five Saturdays devotion with your family. Learn more about this feast day in the "Did You Know?" section!
October 18 – Feast of St. Luke, Apostle
Celebrate this feast by reading with your family from St. Luke's Gospel (or pick a few stories for younger children). Here are 18 Ways to honor St. Luke in your family.
October 28 - Ss. Simon and Jude, Apostles
Both Simon and Jude were ordinary men who were chosen by Jesus to teach others about God's love, and to "make disciples of all nations." Learn more about these Apostles and others who share saintly feast days here.
FaFAMILY PRAYER TIME
"Resting in prayer is especially important for families. It is in the family that we first learn how to pray.
Don't forget when the family prays together, it remains together." ~ Pope Francis, 1/16/2015
Children first learn to pray by watching and copying their parents, siblings, relatives, and others in their church community. Here are some tips for successful family prayer time, and suggestions to help you teach your kids to pray. Check out the Archdiocese of Dubuque Family Prayer Resources page, as well as the Prayer Time board on Pinterest! -
Celebrating Generations
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Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
The Corporal Works of Mercy
The Corporal Works of Mercy are acts of love that address the physical and material needs of others. The Corporal Works of Mercy are:
- Feed the hungry.
- Give drink to the thirsty.
- Clothe the naked.
- Visit the imprisoned.
- Shelter the homeless.
- Visit the sick.
- Bury the dead.
The Spiritual Works of Mercy
The Spiritual Works of Mercy address the needs of peoples’ minds, hearts, and souls. The Spiritual Works of Mercy are:
- Admonish the sinner. (Give correction to those who need it.)
- Instruct the ignorant. (Share our knowledge with others.)
- Counsel the doubtful. (Give advice to those who need it.)
- Comfort the sorrowful. (Comfort those who suffer.)
- Bear wrongs patiently. (Be patient with others.)
- Forgive all injuries. (Forgive those who hurt us.)
- Pray for the living and the dead.
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Ways to share your faith as a family or individually
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how to pray as a family?
At first it may seem like one more task to check off the list, but by faith, we know that prayer is not just another task. Prayer is the breath of the soul. If we don't pray, our souls are suffocating! But with busy lives, how are we supposed to "fit" prayer into our already hectic lives? To keep prayer from feeling like just another thing to do, below are some helpful resources to make "getting into prayer" easy for you and your family.
FOR FAMILIES:
Loyola Press Family Resources
CathFamily - Resource library for raising children in the Catholic Faith
Strong Catholic Family - resources and activities for Catholic families
The Catholic Toolbox - ideas, inspiration and resources for catechists and parents
Teaching Catholic Kids from Our Sunday Visitor -
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Teach Your Children How to PRay:
- Weekly Family Prayer Log
- How to pray the Rosary
- Teaching children to pray the Rosary
- Coloring page while praying the rosary - Luminous Mysteries
- Coloring page while praying the Rosary - Sorrowful Mysteries
- Coloring page while praying the rosary - Glorious Mysteries
- PrayerFlowChart - help your children decide which prayer to pray!
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Links - other resources
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August and September
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Archdiocese of Dubuque Family Prayer Resources Web Page
August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Mary is our closest link to her Son, Jesus. The Bible tells us that “his mother kept all these things in her heart” (Lk 2:51). During the month of August we honor Mary with three feast days --- The Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major (Aug 5), the Assumption (Aug 15), and the Queenship of Mary (Aug 22). Honor Our Lady in a special way this month. Wear a scapular or a Miraculous Medal, pray the Angelus, the Rosary, or the Memorare daily, or participate in the First Five Saturdays devotion.
August 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This is a holy day of obligation, so don’t forget to go to Mass! Learn more by watching this animated story about the Assumption. Check out these resources, and celebrate this solemnity with your family!
August 22 - Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary is crowned as the Queen of Heaven. Watch this video from Bishop Barron. Learn more about the Queenship of Mary from EWTN. (Scroll all the way down the page!) Celebrate with a fun paper doll craft! Enjoy an art project, or craft to celebrate this special day!
August 24 - St. Bartholomew, Apostle
St. Bartholomew, also known as Nathaniel, was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. He is remembered for his missionary work, spreading the teachings of Jesus, and for his willingness to die for his faith. Enjoy a coloring page, watch this video about his life, and learn more here.
August 29 - The Passion of St. John the Baptist
St. John the Baptist spoke the truth with great courage, even in the face of death. The Passion (or martyrdom) of St. John the Baptist is one of the very oldest liturgical feasts on the Church's calendar. Click here to learn why we honor the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist.
September 8 - Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary’s parents, Joachim and Ann, were very grateful for the gift of a child. They taught Mary to love and serve God. When we celebrate his mother’s birth, we honor Jesus, too! Today, on Mary’s birthday, celebrate with some fun activities, pray this prayer, and thank God for the gift of Mary’s life and your own call to do something very special with your life!
September 12 - The Most Holy Name of Mary
We honor Mary with many names, because she is the Mother of God. We receive many graces by calling on her intercession through many holy titles. Pray the "Hail Mary" as a family every day this month as the Church honors Mary.
September 14 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross
We come to the cross not only on Good Friday, but often, to see with the eyes of faith. The cross is a reminder of our salvation and a source of new life. As we gaze at Jesus on the crucifix, we can grow closer to him. Deepen your devotion to the Holy Cross. Pray the Way of the Cross as a family, and talk about and practice the Sign of the Cross. Enjoy a cross craft and other activities as a family.
September 15 - Our Lady of Sorrows
When we experience suffering, we have no better companion than Mary, who offers strength, comfort, and renewed faith even in our trials. She also experienced great suffering as the Mother of Jesus, and knows the pain of our wounded hearts. Learn about the Seven Dolors (or Sorrows) of Mary, and pray the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows. Turn to Our Lady of Sorrows for love and strength to bear your crosses with patience and peace.
September 21 – St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
St. Matthew wrote one of the four gospels. Although he was a tax collector, money was not important to Matthew. What was important was believing in and living as a follower of Jesus. Matthew helps us to remember that it is our faith in Jesus that makes us truly rich! Learn more here.
September 29 – Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels
The three Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are the only angels named in sacred scripture, and all three have important roles in the history of salvation. St. Michael is the protector. St. Gabriel is the messenger of good news. St. Raphael is the healing angel, and is also the patron of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Learn more about the Archangels here.
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