CHURCH: CULTIVATING INTERGENERATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS
Many of us tend to naturally surround ourselves with peers roughly our own age. Yet, Church encircles us with people of all ages. In this sacred space, we have the opportunity to cultivate some our the richest non-familial relationships. We can share wisdom with other parents, laugh with teens in the youth group, study scripture together, pray in Eucharistic Adoration, or simply have conversations about faith with an eclectic mix of folks. Share life experiences and initiate meaningful conversation with those from your faith community!  Cultivating intergenerational friendships will certainly enrich your faith!

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
 

April is Autism Awareness Month
Explaining Autism to Children and How to Engage Them
This Sesame Street video is a simple way to introduce children to the needs of those who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) offers information about ASD here. Learn more about World Autism Awareness Day (April 2), and check out this article from the Diocese of Newark regarding Autism and Mass attendance.
         
Adapted Faith Formation Lessons for Holy Week & Easter
These resources for Holy Week and Easter, as well as other monthly feast days and events, offer adapted faith formation lessons about family devotions and prayers, rituals and traditions, fun activities, recipes and more! 
Together We Can Conference
Saturday, May 6, 2023    8:00 AM - 4:00 PM   Iowa State Fairgrounds
Learn, grow, and connect at the 2023 Together We Can Conference! This one-of-a-kind, statewide conference is tailored to people with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who support them. Connect with 300 other families and professionals. Learn more about the conference here.

PARENT-TO-PARENT / PEER-TO-PEER: SHARE THE SPECIAL JOURNEY

• FORMED Daily Reflections – short daily videos, subscribe to a daily email here
• Praying the Rosary Like Never Before audio talk by Dr. Edward Sri 
• Divine Mercy Chaplet pray at 3pm daily 
• Way of the Cross pray especially on Fridays 

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.

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
The Kids Bulletin for Sunday
Holy Cross Family Ministries
The Kennedy Adventures - Practical solutions for Catholic parents
CathFamily - Resource library for raising children in the Catholic Faith
Strong Catholic Family - resources and activities for Catholic families
Faith and Fabric - Activities for Catholic families
The Catholic Toolbox - ideas, inspiration and resources for catechists and parents
Teaching Catholic Kids from Our Sunday Visitor