Connecting with Extended Family
The U.S. Bishops define family as "an intimate community of persons bound together by blood, marriage, or adoption for the whole of life." As a single person, you are a member of your extended family. You play an important role in the lives of your parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, cousins, and grandparents, etc.

Opportunities to connect:

*Inviting a niece or nephew to perform an act of service with you
*Babysitting
*Developing traditional outings or activities around religious feast days; for example: taking young nieces and nephews shopping for Christmas gifts for their parents, or attending Mass on holy days with parents and going out to eat afterwards. See the Family Life Calendar for ideas.
*Setting a good example in your social life
*Serving as a role model for children in your family with an absent father or mother

Being a Godparent
Being a godparent is more than an honor, it is an opportunity to "mentor" someone in the faith. Because our schedules can become cluttered, plan ahead to make time to celebrate your godchild's Baptismal anniversary each year with a visit or outing. Praying together in a way comfortable for both of you will be a wonderful support for your godchild. Resist the urge to give material gifts--nothing can remotely compare with the gift of faith and your example in living it.

Ideas for a "Singles-Friendly Parish"

• *At each parish social event (parish dinner, dance), sell tickets individually as well as for couples and advertise that there will be a "singles table" or area.
• *Have booths at your parish festival run exclusively by singles.
• *Mention singles occasionally in the General Intercessions.
• *Sponsor parish or community service projects for singles.
• *Invite singles to a monthly "Bring a dessert to share" gathering after the Saturday evening liturgy
• *Ask singles what they need in your parish. Singles--if your parish doesn't ask, gently let your parish leaders know what you would like to see. Then be willing to help get something started. Offer to be on a "Singles at _______ Parish" committee to do the planning.