The first day of classes can be nerve-wracking. Standing in front of a group of young people for the first time is intimidating. Introductions have yet to be made, expectations have yet to be established, relationships have yet to be...
Guiding K-8 learners through a Catholic religious education means walking with them across a wide span of growth and change. From the first Bible story in kindergarten to thoughtful reflection in middle school, young people grow in faith,...
Earlier this year, Steven Ellair sat down with John Roberto, Director of National Community of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL) to co-host a webinar titled Parents and Families at the Center of Faith Formation. Together, they discussed family...
Engage kids with fun and faith-filled activities from Discover! Finding Faith in Life. This Catholic activity calendar takes you through each month of the year, providing creative ways to celebrate liturgical seasons and saints, using...
This timeline from The Catholic Children’s Bible highlights important stories in the Bible. From the beginning of Genesis all the way to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, this timeline helps understand the Bible using colorful images. Hang...
Engage kids with fun and faith-filled activities from Discover! Finding Faith in Life. This Catholic activity calendar takes you through each month of the year, providing creative ways to celebrate liturgical seasons and saints, using...
This article contains insights from the recent webinar Parents and Families at the Center of Faith Formation. The webinar offered strategies for Directors of Religious Education (DREs) and parishes to confidently and effectively involve...
It is not uncommon for classes and programs to start the year with a grounding theme or a centering idea. Start this new academic year by being intentional about inviting the children to care for God and one another. Don’t just pick...
“I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. . . . ” begins the Nicene Creed, which Catholics all over the world pray during Mass. It is prayed in hundreds and hundreds of...
The Rosary is a popular devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. By praying the Rosary, we pray with Mary and we ask her to pray for us. The main part of the Rosary is to recite five sets of ten Hail Marys (each set is called a decade).
Saying...
The word Magnificat means “magnifies.” It comes from the first line of Mary’s song after she heard Elizabeth’s greeting to her: “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? . . . . Blessed are you who...
Engage your entire parish community with Vacation Bible School (VBS)! From leaders and organizers to teen volunteers and participants, VBS offers a unique opportunity for intergenerational connection, shared faith experiences, and joyful...
Choosing a new pope is somewhat of a mystery to people. In the early Church, a pope was elected not only by the bishops but also by the clergy and the laity. In later years, only the bishops took part in the election. In some cases,...
Imagine choosing a lifelong spiritual companion. That’s what Confirmation names are all about. This tradition connects young people with a saint who will serve as their special patron and spiritual role model. In the Catholic Church,...
Catholic family faith formation, no matter the situation
Sustaining faith in a family’s busy routine is an intentional act. By embracing the opportunities within daily life, families can beautifully weave faith into their routines, leading...
Introducing a dynamic new way to enhance faith formation in your parish: Gathered Family Sessions! Rooted in the liturgical and natural seasons, our Gathered Family Sessions offer ten 90-minute sessions from September through June. A...
Invite children, tweens and teens to deepen their Lenten journey. Lent is a time for renewal and reflection through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. We offer free Lent activities to guide young people to live their faith more meaningfully.
Such...
