1. Prayer: Establish a regular prayer routine within your household. Encourage daily personal prayer and incorporate communal prayer as a family. Pray together before meals, before bedtime, or set aside specific times for family prayer. This can include reciting traditional Catholic prayers, such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, or the Rosary. These are all said regularly at school and taught from preschool on up!
2. Attend Mass: Regularly attend Mass as a family, both on Sundays and on holy days of obligation (if it falls during the school year, we attend as a community and invite families to join us). Encourage active participation during the Mass, such as singing hymns, listening attentively to the readings and homily, and receiving the sacraments.
3. Scripture reading: Make reading the Bible a regular practice at home. Set aside time for family Bible study, reflecting on the Word of God together. Choose passages or stories that are relevant to your family's current circumstances or explore the readings of the liturgical season.
4. Sacraments: Encourage participation in the sacraments, such as regular Confession (the Sacrament of Reconciliation) and reception of the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Ensure that your family understands the significance of these sacraments and their role in the Catholic faith.
5. Catechesis: Continuously deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith through catechesis. Read books, watch videos, or attend classes that explain Catholic teachings, traditions, and practices. Encourage age-appropriate catechesis for children and engage in discussions about the faith.
6. Celebrate liturgical seasons and feast days: Observe the liturgical seasons of the Church, such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Decorate your home, set up an Advent wreath, display a nativity scene, or create a prayer space during these seasons. Appreciate the traditions, customs, and rituals so often overshadowed by commercial alternatives. Celebrate feast days of saints and incorporate their stories and virtues into your family's life. We share the saint of the month for just this reason in our newsletter.
7. Service and acts of charity: Engage in acts of service and charity as a family, following the Catholic social teachings. Practice catholic values in different capacities: volunteer at local organizations, donate to charitable causes, support the parish community, etc.. Encourage your family to recognize and help those in need, fostering a sense of compassion and social responsibility. Practice empathy, and teach your children the importance of respecting diversity by seeing another’s viewpoint.
8. Role modeling: Lead by example in living out the Catholic faith. Demonstrate virtues such as love, forgiveness, humility, and generosity. Practice kindness and respect within your family and towards others. Let your actions reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Remember that supporting the Catholic faith at home is an ongoing journey. It requires consistency, open communication, and a willingness to grow together as a family in faith. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need further assistance!