Bible Story: Jesus growing up. There are not many stories in the Bible that tell us of Jesus’ childhood. We do know that he was a baby and grew up just like each of you.
Video: Jesus Growing Up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irTmdgAOPfA&list=PL5aPdmniG3y_n7hXEKTV4qQnIeCe-p6Ws&index=10
This video mentions that Jesus had brothers and sisters. In his time and culture, relatives such as cousins were often referred to as siblings. Some Scripture scholars believe that reference to the brothers and sisters of Jesus in the gospels may point to children of Joseph from a previous marriage.
Domestic Church podcast
https://www.domesticchurchproject.com/dcp-podacst
Giving Kids a moral compass
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/giving-kids-a-moral-compass/
Here is a brief video reflection about the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hgycmwzw1k
Pray
Parent Christmas Message
from Tom Quinlan, Ministry Director, St. Joseph Educational Center, West Des Moines, December 2020
Dear parents, at this time of the year, with long nights and impending winter weather, life can become a little tough for some of us. And in the midst of Covid, probably most of us are struggling on some levels. Never more than in this time do we need to open our hearts and our homes to grace. Grace is the gift of God’s mercy and power and love freely offered to sustain us in our challenges and our responsibilities.
I’d like to invite you and your family to make this Christmas and Christmas Season a time filled with the grace of Christ Jesus through intentional actions that welcome the Holy Spirit into your home. Pray more as a family. Explore the Scriptures together, especially the Gospel from each Sunday. Develop habits of generosity and kindness, in the name of Jesus, with people both in the home and beyond...
Click here to read the rest of this Christmas message.
Thanksgiving Thanks: as a household create a list of all the things you are thankful for this year. Don’t forget to include the big and small things. Read the list aloud at your thanksgiving meal. Ask guests to add the things they are thankful for.
Thanksgiving Prayer service:
file:///U:/ThanksGivingPrayerServcieFamilies.pdf
Family Prayer Bookmarks:
https://cathfamily.org/family-prayer-bookmarks/?utm_source=mailpoet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cathfamily-oct-4-10-enjoy-your-week-with-god
https://www.reallifeathome.com/building-memories-with-a-thanksgiving-tablecloth-project/
Gratitue Games:
https://ourpastimes.com/christian-games-bus-trips-5488531.html
Fall Family Activities:
https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/95641/docs/We_Believe_Blog_Assets/Fall_Family_Activities.pdf?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=20938089&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_R0v9Z1zXstMRzqcUxpoOHSRaPriHtje29JNWtGopyoGy7gCAwftrYNkpm55HMdpgbFXwAx5q-MoB1p8FVq6t-DtYHYA&utm_content=20938089&utm_source=hs_automation
We hear the term “domestic church” these days. For some, this may be a new idea, but it actually has deep roots in our tradition. This article helps us to understand.
Domestic Church
A wonderful resource for busy families, this podcast is made especially for children. Tune in each day to learn more about our Catholic faith in a way children can understand.
https://catholicsprouts.com/catholic-sprouts-podcast/
As we explore and learn more about the New Testament this year, take the opportunity to put fun colorful tabs in your Bible to help you find the books easily. One easy way is to use one color sticky note for each section. Write the name of each book on one sticky note. Attach the sticky notes to corresponding pages. Now you can quickly flip to the book of the Bible you are looking for.
For another option check out these "color your own" Bible tabs to use in your Bible to help you find the books.
https://www.catholicicing.com/the-worlds-cutest-bible-tabs-ever-and-theyre-printable/
As families we are busy running between activities and meeting obligations. If you have no table routines or have an established table routine, here is a set of table talk discussion starter cards. Print these cards and add them to your dinner table. You can find creative ways to use them: cut them apart and put in a basket on your table, take turns picking one, start the day with a discussion starter, pick one at supper, or choose one before bedtime.
https://cathfamily.org/table-talk/
https://cathfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/cf_activities_tabletalk.pdf
At our September Faith Formation session we talked about setting up a prayer space in your home. Before our next online Faith Formation session, prepare a prayer space in your home, if you do not have one. Use it for family prayer, and plan to use it when we gather for Faith Formation each month. Consider adding something personal to your family to your prayer space. Watch a short video about how to set up a prayer space in your home.
How to set up a prayer space in your home:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhy_o0-9HUQ&feature=youtu.be
https://lifeteen.com/blog/making-home-prayer-space/
Prayer journals are one way to focus prayer and help children be active in the prayer. Each month we will post new pages for a household, family, individual prayer journal. Print one for your whole family to use, print one for each child, send one to your grandchildren out of state and do it over the phone. The possibilities are endless.
Link here