Family Faith on the Go!
Last year when Catholic mom Karrie Marascia was looking through her church bulletin, she saw that an adult Lenten retreat was being held for most of a Saturday. She had an idea about doing a smaller version of a retreat for her family and gave it a try with her eight children. Online you’ll find the activities, and how they worked out, from putting together blessing bags to an in-home Stations of the Cross.
Meet Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped in 1876 from her loving family in Sudan at age seven and sold into slavery! Can you imagine how scared she must have felt? This horrible experience made her completely forget her name. Her kidnappers renamed her Bakhita, which means “fortunate one.” Online you’ll find her complete story and an activity for your Catholic kids.
Are your kids ready for Lent? Kick things off right by celebrating Shrove Tuesday and observing Ash Wednesday. Here are nine things to do, and resources to go with them.
Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are at the heart of the forty days of Lent. Here are some strategies for helping your kids get involved in these traditional penitential practices. Most of the ideas you’ll find on the website are appropriate for kids ages six and up. The best way to introduce younger children to Lenten practices is for them to see adults and older kids in the family practicing them; use their natural curiosity and desire to be “grown up” as a springboard for talking about what you’re doing, and why. Find out how to talk about Lent with kids, fasting ideas, prayer suggestions, giving ideas and much more.
What are your family’s rituals when someone gets sick? Healing was a centerpiece of Jesus’ ministry, and he instructed his disciples to heal, too. Make praying for healing part of your family’s routine when someone gets sick. On our website you’ll discover how, along with a blessing to use.
