"Parents and family members are the primary educators in the faith. Together with them, especially in certain cultures, all members of the family play an active part in the education of the younger members.” 

Integrating spiritual practices into the home and extended family helps the children, parents, and other family members to become stronger in their faith.
It is a blessing for every family and extended family to enjoy time together, make family memories, and embrace spiritual practices. Here are some ways that your family can help build the spiritual life of your child(ren).

5. Meal Prayers: This allows a family to pause and give thanks for what is before them. The teachers have given the students copies of the Meal Prayer, or have your family write their own. 
5. Nighttime Prayer: A blessing ritual is an endearing and powerful tradition to establish. For the younger child(ren) a parent can trace a cross on a child’s forehead accompanied by a prayer and then the child can in turn bless the parent by tracing a cross. The students are learning the Guardian Angel Prayer, and this would be a good one to do at night, followed by praying for those we feel need our prayers, example father mother, grandparent, neighbor, friend etc. 
5. Quality Time: Spending time together helps families get to know one another better, share about their week, the day at school or work.  Learn what interests your family has.  I know we live in a terribly busy and demanding world today.  When I was a child, we sat at the dinner table as a family, although in some cases work or school schedules interfere with this practice. But for some this is possible. At first your children might be resistant, better things to do you know.  But be persistent you will see them enjoying this time together. Maybe attend Mass as a family and plan a special meal after mass whether you support a local restaurant or make a meal with love and have the family help. 

A book written by Matthew Kelly stated in The Thing About Fathers, “There is a mantra that dominates the cultural landscape today: ‘I do not feel heard. I do not feel seen! I do not feel known.’ ” Let’s save our children from this fate by spending time with them in ways that allow them to know, now and forever, that they are seen, heard, loved, and valued beyond anything.”
All these practices make it possible to influence children in a positive, faith-filled way. 

We all find ourselves telling our children when we are busy:  hold on, I will be there in a minute, start eating dinner and I will be there shortly.  We all need to start the new year with setting time aside for family time.  

               
 

 

  EASTER VIGIL 2025-26

Read the Bible as a family so you can discuss it throughout your reading.

I have recently purchased "The Story of All Stories" a story Bible for Young Catholics ages 7-11.  This helps our young to explore scripture and understand the Bible.  It takes them through 76 Bible stories from Creation to Revelation.  This book brings Bible stories to life for a better understanding for our youth.  

I just wanted to share my personal experience with this Story Bible for Young Catholics.  This is a wonderful tool.
         

https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship

 

Prayer and Worship

"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy."

—CCC, no. 2558, citing St. Therese of Lisieux,
Manuscrits Autobiographiques, C 25rr

 

Descriptions of prayer are abundant throughout Christian history. "True prayer," wrote St. Augustine, "is nothing but love." Prayer should arise from the heart. "Prayer," said St. John Vianney, "is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself." "Everyone of us needs half an hour of prayer each day," remarked St. Francis de Sales, "except when we are busy—then we need an hour." Definitions of prayer are important, but insufficient. There is a huge difference between knowing about prayer and praying. On this issue, the Rule of St. Benedict is clear, "If a man wants to pray, let him go and pray."

St. John Damascene gave a classic definition of prayer: "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God" (CCC, no. 2559, citing St. John Damascene, De Fide Orth. 3, 24).

The Catechism clearly defines prayer as a "vital and personal relationship with the living and true God" (CCC, no. 2558). Prayer is Christian "insofar as it is communion with Christ" (CCC, no. 2565), and a "covenant relationship between God and man in Christ" (CCC, no. 2564).

It is important to remember that we understand prayer through our celebration of the Sacraments and in the Liturgy of the Hours. The word liturgy comes from a Greek term meaning "public work or work done on behalf of the people." 

A work, then, done by an individual or a group was a liturgy on behalf of the larger community. All the worshipers are expected to participate actively in each liturgy, for this is holy "work," not entertainment or a spectator event. Every liturgical celebration is an action of Christ the High Priest and of his Mystical Body, which is the Church. It therefore requires the participation of the People of God in the work of God.

Liturgy is centered on the Holy Trinity. At every liturgy the action of worship is directed to the Father, from whom all blessings come, through the Son in the unity of the Holy Spirit. We praise the Father who first called us to be his people by sending us his Son as our Redeemer and giving us the Holy Spirit so that we can continue to gather, to remember what God has done for us, and to share in the blessings of salvation.

From the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

                                           
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