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Holiness at HomeCreating a Catholic CultureWhat does a Catholic home look like? How do we live our faith at home in day-to-day moments? Bishop Frank Caggiano has some practical suggestions in this video message. Let us assist you in your journeyBeing a parent or grandparent is hard work. Young people today are growing up with more access to excess than older generations. Let us help you tackle the challenges with resources, helpful suggestions, and ways you can learn more about the faith you long to share with your family. Sign up for weekly newsletters and texts. FEATURED ARTICLE Creating a Catholic culture at homeCreating a Catholic culture at home can be fostered by influential practices within the family and home settings by fostering an environment that reflects and nurtures the Catholic faith. Making your home look Catholic involves incorporating religious symbols, artwork, and decor that reflect the Catholic faith. These types of objects and images are “silent homilies” that send a sacred message and serve as reminders of God’s continued presence in your life and home. Here are some suggestions:
Remember, the goal is not simply to have Catholic decorations, but to create an environment that fosters faith and reminds you of the presence of God. These visual reminders can help you and your family grow in your Catholic identity and deepen your relationship with God. |
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Holiness at HomeBecome the First Witness You are Called to BeWitnessing Our Faith Begins At Home Parents are the first witnesses of the faith. What does that mean? How can parents witness faith effectively? Visit our website to listen to Bishop Frank Caggiano’s welcome message and learn more about what it means to be a witness of your faith – first! FEATURED RESOURCE From the FieldReal life applications of our faith in prayer and more… Keep an eye out for additional parenting resources and helpful content on a range of topics. One such resource is From the Field, where we can learn from musicians and ministers, confessors and counselors, parents and partners in ministry - all eager to share their thoughts and advice for how to improve our shared adventure of missionary discipleship. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE On Divine Mercy Sunday 2017, Bishop Frank Caggiano announced an exciting new movement – The Face of Prayer – an online crusade that brings together social media, text alerts, and the power of prayer. Now, nearly four years later, we are celebrating the eight million prayers that have been shared by subscribers. LIVING YOUR FAITH AT HOME Understanding Suffering: Explaining Difficult Times to ChildrenExplaining the concept of suffering to children can be challenging, as it involves discussing difficult and often complex topics. However, it is important to help children understand that suffering is a part of life and to provide them with a framework for navigating these experiences. In this article, we will explore a compassionate and age-appropriate approach to explaining suffering to children, drawing insights from the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Explaining the concept of suffering to children requires sensitivity, compassion, and age-appropriate language. By acknowledging their feelings, emphasizing God's love and compassion, discussing the mystery of suffering, connecting their experiences to Jesus' sacrifice, nurturing empathy and compassion, and fostering trust in God's plan, we can help children navigate difficult times with faith, hope, and resilience. Through these conversations, we can instill in them a sense of God's presence and love, empowering them to find meaning, strength, and purpose even in the face of suffering. |
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Holiness at HomeCatholic CultureRituals Rituals can be seen as habits with meaning and purpose. Daily routines that include your faith can become sacred, such as Leaving the House and Coming Home. For other helpful suggestions on developing faith-filled habits and routines, see Rituals on the Catholic Culture page on First Witnesses. FEATURED RESOURCE How to Pray With KidsA Guide to Catholic Children’s Prayers Figuring out how to pray with kids can sometimes be difficult. However, instilling the habit of prayer into children at a young age can have a lifelong impact. The USCCB reminds us that “Parents are also the most effective catechists of prayer for their young children.” Visit the Hallow website for a few tips and resources to make this family time more manageable. LIVING YOUR FAITH AT HOME Nurturing Love and Guidance for ChildrenParental blessings are a beautiful and meaningful way for parents to express their love, support, and guidance to their children. Through these blessings, parents invoke God’s grace upon their children, offering prayers for their well-being, protection, and spiritual growth. In this article, we will explore the significance of parental blessings and how they can strengthen the parent-child relationship, drawing insights from the teachings of the Catholic Church. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE Learn from musicians and ministers, confessors and counselors, parents and partners in ministry - all eager to share their thoughts and advice for how to improve our shared adventure of missionary discipleship. The collection of From the Field Videos are real-life applications of our faith in prayer and more. |
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Holiness at HomeCatholic CultureLiterature and Young People Literature can help parents teach their children about God’s presence. See all the Bible resources at the bottom of the page, i.e., Catholic Children's Bible. For other helpful ideas on your exploring faith through reading, see Literature and Young People on the Catholic Culture page on First Witnesses. LIVING YOUR FAITH AT HOME Nurturing Faith and Wisdom: The Importance of Reading the Bible to ChildrenIn the journey of nurturing a child’s faith, reading the Bible holds immense significance. The Bible is not just a collection of stories but a sacred text that imparts wisdom, moral teachings, and a deeper understanding of God’s love. By introducing children to the Bible and reading it with them, we can lay a strong foundation for their spiritual growth. In this article, we will explore the importance of reading the Bible to children and the benefits it brings to their faith formation. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE Family Bible ChallengeThe Institute for Catholic Formation of the Diocese of Bridgeport is pleased to present the Family Bible Challenge. Now in its eighteenth season, the Family Bible Challenge continues to expand. We welcome the faithful of the Archdiocese of New York, Brooklyn, Dallas, Orange, Newark, Rochester, St. Augustine, and Springfield-Cape Girardeau to our adventure and hope you enjoy the weekly reflections and quizzes. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE The Bible Project is a nonprofit, crowdfunded organization that makes free resources like videos, podcasts, articles, and classes to help people experience the Bible in a way that is approachable and transformative. We do this by showcasing the literary art of the Scriptures and tracing key biblical themes from Genesis to Revelation. |
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Holiness at HomeMissionary MilestonesWhat should my child know and when should he/she know it? Use this guide to determine what your child should generally understand about their Catholic faith at various age levels. Keep in mind that each child is unique, and therefore you must also consider your child’s mental, physical, and emotional growth as well as his or her age. If your child has special learning needs, you should use the age level which is appropriate for his or her cognitive ability. All guidelines are sequential; see how the child's understanding of the Holy Spirit can develop across the different ages. LIVING YOUR FAITH AT HOME Teaching your children about the Holy SpiritParents play an important role in teaching their children about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Holy Trinity, along with God the Father and Jesus the Son. The Holy Spirit is often described as God’s presence with us, guiding and helping us in our lives. Here are some meaningful ways to encourage a growing awareness and understanding of the Holy Spirit in your children. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE What We Believe: The Nicene Creed"Our profession of faith begins with God, for God is the First and the Last, the beginning and the end of everything. The Credo begins with God the Father, for the Father is the first divine person of the Most Holy Trinity; our Creed begins with the creation of heaven and earth, for creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God's works." ---the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 198 Catholic belief is succinctly expressed in the profession of faith or credo called the Nicene Creed: YOU MAY ALSO LIKE Following Christ in the Holy Spirit: Discernment of the Holy Spirit Christians are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Discipleship begins with the encounter with Christ, when one decides to follow Jesus. Keeping the Ten Commandments comes later, as one encounters Christ and decides to do his will. This is a two-stage process of initial and ongoing conversion, of internal and external assent that may happen simultaneously as we mature as Christians. |