Tips for Parents Living the wonder of our Catholic family all the time
Model God’s Love. Tell your children how much you loved them since the day he or she was born. Tell them about God’s absolute love for us. The way you have loved, cared for and modeled forgiveness speaks of the unconditional love of our God. Our most intimate experiences of God’s presence with us often occur within the everyday moments, interactions and relationships of family life. The challenge is that sometimes we are so busy that we miss them. Family life is holy, is sacred. That is where God is.
Talk together. Tell stories about your God times. Use scripture stories, the wonderful children’s literature. Answer their questions, even the ones they’re not asking!
Re-live the Sacraments. Get out your photo albums and recall your child’s baptism. Unpack the baptismal garments and tell its history: when and where you bought it or who made it, who else wore it. Do the same with other sacrament history in the family.
Put a little extra into family meals (they have a big connection to Eucharist!) Let your child decorate the table for an evening meal. Talk about special meals your family has shared.
Pray as a Family – often and as a natural part of family life: mealtimes, bedtimes, happy times, worrisome times, after an argument, when someone is in trouble, always on special occasions (Birthdays, anniversaries, baptismal days.)
Celebrate the liturgical seasons at home. Talk to your children about Lent, the Stations of the Cross, Holy week, Palm Sunday, Easter vigil and Easter. Read scripture stories.
Grow together in appreciation of God’s Word. Read the scriptures you will hear at Mass. Have a family discussion about what the readings were about. What is God saying to your family this weekend?
Make Mass a family event. Designate a time on the weekend to watch or listen to a Mass. Either “Live-Stream” or recorded Mass. Before liturgy talk with your family about who you want to pray for during the General Intercessions; and what you want to thank God for during the Eucharistic Prayer.
Love your neighbor. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us the Eucharist commits us to the poor (#1397.) Together fix a meal for a neighbor in need, sort through toys and clothing for gifts to the poor, check on your friend and love one during these difficult times.
Catholic Family year round. These suggestions are not just for these difficult times, they are about living the wonder of our Catholic family all the time.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 1ST-5TH
The first catechists in any child’s life are the family members with whom he or she lives. What happens at home – both positive and negative – provides lessons for life. In the family, faith is shared as part of the unfolding of daily life. The home or “domestic church” provides a real place in which a child learns to live his or her faith as well as understanding it.
Our goal is to create a program of lifelong faith formation that is centered in and flows out of the events of Church life. It embraces all ages and generation, promotes faith growth at home and promotes participation in Church life.
For more information, please contact Brenda Mendoza 882-1968 ext. 113