"Children need to be brought up in the faith, to be loved and protected. Along with their basic right to be born and to be raised in the faith, children also have the right to a home that takes as its model the home of Nazareth and to be shielded from all dangers and threats." -Pope Benedict XVI at the 2006 World Meeting of Families

Parents perform an invaluable service both to church and society by raising the new generation. Parents should not shoulder this huge and holy responsibility alone.

Resources for Parishes:

"Presenting Our Children to the Lord" A ready-to-use prayer service for parishes available from the Family Life Office. Highlights the vocation of parenting and the parish's support.

"PASSING ON THE FAITH" Parent Mailings Spans the time from birth through age four. Equips Catholic and interchurch parents with practical, comfortable ways to pass on the faith. Since mailings begin at birth, they serve as an evangelization tool even before Baptism, and as a follow-up after Baptism until the beginning of formal religious education classes. Sold only to parishes to send periodically to parishioners. Written by Family Life Director of our diocese; sold nationally. Endorsed by well-known parent educator, Dr. Kathleen Chesto. (Parent Mailings:  Baby's First Year; Ages 1-4) Order Form

"Got Kids? Give Faith" brochure for parish staff and volunteers. How to assist parents in becoming more involved in their children's spiritual development. Print from links listed below.

Resources for Families:

"Got Kids? Give Faith" brochures:
Birth to Age 5
Ages 6-12
Teens
Staff and Volunteers

Parenting Library (books, videos, audiotapes to borrow from Family Life Office)
--Faith in the home
--Sexuality
--Communication
--Children's grieving
--Dealing with divorce

Website: http://www.homefaith.com/

Book:  52 Simple Ways to Talk with Your Kids about Faith by Jim Campbell from Loyola Press. A delightful description of how to have faith-to-faith conversations with your children.

Top Ten Things Parents Can Do to Nuture Spirituality at Home

10. Protect your child's quiet time. It's an essential prelude to learning to pray.

9. Be present to each of your children with as much of you whole and healed self as you can muster.

8. Honor each of your children for who God has made them to be.

7. Look your children in the eye when they want to talk to you.

6. Listen, listen, listen. (Not to rebut or correct, but to receive and comprehend.)

5. Tell stories about your life (appropriate ones!)

4. Let your children catch you praying.

3. Pray with your children.

2. Do something good for others with your children.

1. Eat meals together!!!! This is perhaps the most important means of passing on faith and values. We bring not only our physical hungers to the table, but our social, emotional, and spiritual hungers as well--and all can be fed there. It may not be neat and orderly, but meals spent together with a loving family will be an anchor in the stormy seas of modern life for your children.

Reprinted with the permission of Tom McGrath, Vice-President of New Product Development at Loyola Press and author of Raising Faith-filled Kids: Ordinary Opportunities to Nurture Spirituality at Home, http://www.loyolabooks.com/

FREE GIFTS!

Parents are often painfully aware of all the things they do wrong or badly, but may not be as aware of all the things they do well. Here's a short reflection on ways you may be taking advantage of some very valuable parenting gifts freely available to you.

HOLY GHOST SPOTTING

Have you intuitively know how to handle a tough situation in your family? That's wisdom.

Have you stopped yourself from getting angry with your child long enough to think what it feels like to be in his or her shoes? That's understanding.

Have you clearly and firmly stated your beliefs about right and wrong to someone in your family? That's counsel.

Have you hung in there when you wanted to throw in the towel? That's fortitude.

Are you open-minded, letting go of superstitions, prejudices, and small-mindedness? That's the gift of knowledge.

Do you realize you need God's help and that all of life is a gift? That's piety.

Have you felt awe--perhaps the first day you held your baby in your arms? That's fear of the Lord.

These are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, signs that God's love is flowing through your life and alive in your home. The gifts are yours, look for them.

Reprinted with the permission of Tom McGrath, Vice-President of New Product Development at Loyola Press and author of Raising Faith-filled Kids: Ordinary Opportunities to Nurture Spirituality at Home, http://www.loyolabooks.com/