Family Resources
during Covid

1.   Year of the Family

   • Pope Francis – has released the first 3 videos in a series of 10 for this Year of the Family which began March 21. They can be accessed here. The goal of the Year of the Family is that we “fall in love with the family, just as St. Joseph did, who took care of his own family with dedication, tenderness, and love.”

   • Learn more about the Year of the Family on the Vatican website or the USCCB website. Also, Witness to Love is offering the Year of Belonging for couples. More information here.

2. ​  Advance planning (end-of-life) webinar

   • NEW - June 16 and July 2   – "How to start the conversation” link to register for 2-part series is here . See also the Archdiocesan web page - Caring for the Whole Person for end-of-life resources https://sfarch.org/whole-person-care . 
     
     

3.  Catechism in the Lord of the Rings   

   • NEW - begins June 22    (CS Lewis class) with Dr Peter Kreeft –  6 week series – more information and sign-up here https://www.sfarch.org/tolkien

4.   Year of St Joseph - Resources

   NEW -
   • US bishops – Year of St Joseph  here
   • Consecration to St Joseph by Father Donald Calloway
   • Diocese of Charlotte – Year of St Joseph
   • Celebrando en el hogar     aquí
   • Diócesis de Kansas City – Año de San Jose    aquí
   • Camino de Fe    aqui

5.  For Men

   • NEW -  Heroic Disciple Summit - webinar (recorded) - here        
   • NEW -  Strive – resource to help deal with pornography.  21-day detox
   • -- “Heroic Minute for Men” (one-minute meditations for men)  here
   • -- Adoration and Divine Mercy chaplet (weekly) – info here
   • -- Catholic Men’s Fellowship – national organization, often have monthly get-togethers (currently virtual) in the area  - more info here

6.  Parents, Couples

   • NEW - Advice on helping aging parents with finances here
   • NEW - “Connected and Protected” – webinar on gaming and children here      
   • NEW - Great Adventure Bible reading plan for children here
   • NEW - Excellent parenting books here and here
   • NEW - Outstanding childrens’ rights group here
   • NEW - The Peyton Family Institute offers excellent resources for families here.   Here is a recorded webinar on “Graceful approaches to parenting problems”    Others available here.
   • NEW - Informational pamphlets on the domestic church in English and Spanish (from Diocese of San Diego)
   • Gender identity issues – new resource here
   • 10-minute Dates  - to refresh your relationship – get some ideas here    
   • Ruah Woods offers materials on Theology of the Body for children in K – 5.  Their materials are a wonderful, age-appropriate introduction of God’s plan for life and love.  More info here.  Info on materials for middle school available here.
   • -- virtual field trips/activities for kids here
   • - pro-life resources for children from Healing the Culture   here
   • - teaching kids good values – video – here
   • - Catholic books for young teens here
   • Pray the Film is an outstanding movie about the life of Fr Patrick Peyton, who originated the phrase “The Family that Prays Together, Stays Together.”   Here is a short trailer…   consider showing it at your parish – or watching it as a family -  sometime during Lent.  It is excellent!   More information at www.praythefilm.com .  To get information about screening at your parish go here.  

7.  For all

   • NEW - March – August    Maris Stella Institute – for ongoing formation in the Catholic faith, or for catechetical or advanced catechetical diplomas.  More information here.
   • NEW - April 27   annual Aquinas Lecture  at DSPT, with Archbishop Anthony Fisher – info here
   • NEW - May 6   Advancing a Culture of Life at your parish    4:00pm PT   - more info/register here
   • NEW - May 10-21  Theology of the Body and the Marian mystery -  online course by Christopher West   Cost is $895.   More information and registration here
   • NEW - May 25  course on Dante’s Divine Comedy – from Hillsdale College – more info/register here
   • Gender identity issues – new resource here
   • NEW - - Grace that Reigns – wonderful podcasts and other resources here
   • - Salvo magazine – blog posts on challenging topics around sexuality in the 21st century – here
   • -- Podcasts on managing finances
   • -- Pray the Film is an outstanding movie about the life of Fr Patrick Peyton, who originated the phrase “The family that Prays Together, Stays Together.”   Here is a short trailer…   The movie is fantastic - it opens with a shot of Fr Peyton landing by helicopter in Golden Gate Park to lead a crowd of 500,000 (!!!) people to say the rosary.  To call it inspiring is an understatement!.  Please look at the trailer, and consider showing it at your parish sometime during Lent.  It is excellent!   More information at www.praythefilm.com .  To get information about screening at your parish go here.  
   • “Seven excellent Catholic YouTube channels” with Matt Fradd
   • --Daily reflections with Fr Bill Watson, SJ here

8. Young Adults

   • Aug 2-7    Into the Deep retreat – Glacier National Park  - Theology of the Body-themed hiking retreat – more information/register here

• “Sister Hope” is a resource (a “chatbot”) for those suffering from anxiety or depression – especially in these lockdown times.  Free, in English and Spanish, and completely anonymous.  More information here
• Hallow is the #1 Catholic app in the US They offer a free 90-day trial – more information here. They are also launching a #Pray25 challenge with daily Advent meditations, starting with Matthew 1 and  through the rest of the Gospel as we approach Christmas. 
• Pope Francis declared this the Year of St Joseph, on Dec 8, which continues through December 8, 2021.  More information here and resources, including the Papal document here.
• --For those struggling with pornography, Covenant Eyes offers a 40-day challenge here, with (of course) an attendant app here
• --NFP podcast - Charting toward Intimacy.  The Diocese of Oakland has a new podcast for those interested in NFP – episode 13 is now out. 
• --Virtual 7-day marriage retreat from the US Catholic bishops
• --Communication workshops (vdeo series) for couples - these people are experts.
• --Peyton Family Institute for the Domestic Church -  great ideas for how to make your entire family grow in their faith.  Info here
• --More Catholic Resources for finances.
• -- Up to 20% of couples struggle with fertility - Organic Conceptions is a new,         evidenced-based service for those trying to achieve pregnancy. More information here    
• --Set aside time to pray with your spouse – Check out our Four Simple Steps to Pray with Your Spouse. 
• ---Consider using extra time to enrich your marriage – several of our marriage encouragement and enrichment resources have online courses available.
• --Be Kind – Pope Francis’ resolutions for couples are a great place to start.
• --Write a mission statement for your family.

• --Do something fun as a family – bake a pie, bring out a board game, get creative with craft supplies, or take a nature walk at a nearby trail.
• --Don’t stop date nights – here are some suggestions, most of which can be done at home.
• --Start building a family photo album or photobook. Organize your photos and plan some home videos.

• --Pope Francis’s Prayer to Mary during Coronavirus Pandemic
• --COVID-19 Prayer of Solidarity (USCCB)
• --Coronavirus Prayer Card (USCCB) – in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

• --Vatican News Live Streaming Mass with Pope Francis
• --EWTN Daily Mass
• --Catholic TV Mass
• --Catholic Faith Network Masses
• --Relevant Radio Daily Live Mass
• --Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
• --John Paul II National Shrine – Mass and Divine Mercy Chaplet
• --St Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City
• --Word On Fire Daily Masses
• --EWTN Live Adoration (9am-6pm EST)
• --Adorecast – Live Perpetual Adoration
• --Eastern Church Divine Liturgy Livestreams
•  

• --Magnificat: English / Spanish and MagnifiKid
• --Liturgical Press: Give us this Day Digital
• --Bayard: Living with Christ
• --The Word Among Us: English / Spanish
• --The Word on Fire Institute
• --USCCB Daily Readings
• --Lectio Divina
• --Liturgy of the Hours
• --Rosary online
• --USCCB Stations of the Cross Audio
• --CRS Virtual Stations of the Cross
• --Hallow Prayer App

Resources/Articles for Parents and Families

• --Augustine Institute FORMED (free for 40 days)

• --V Encuentro  0 tons of resources for families, youth, young adults - English and Spanish
• --Growing Up Catholic-Pastoral Center – Faith-fully Navigating Coronavirus with Your Kids
• --Strong Catholic Family Faith – Having Difficult Conversations
• --CatholicMom.com – 10 ways to Survive (and Thrive) Through Days of Quarantine
• --U.S. Catholic – Life under Lockdown: 8 Ways to Handle Staying at Home
• --OSV – Interview with Joseph D. White, Child and family psychologist
• --PSA: Talking to Your Kids about COVID-19 with Dr. Harvey Payne

• --Archdiocese of Seattle – At Home with Faith
• --Archdiocese of Detroit – 52 Sundays
• --CatholicMom.com – Resources for Family Prayer
• --Loyola Press – Prayer and the Family Meal, Family Faith and Fun, and Tips for Praying with Children
• --Trinity House Heaven in Your Home Workshops
•  

• --Catechist.org – Catholic I.Q. The Family of God
• --Family Bible Challenge
• --The Leadership Institute, Diocese of Bridgeport – Cathequizem and Family Resources
• --Virtual Field Trip
• --Archdiocese of Los Angeles – Family Activities
• --NFCYM Strong Catholic Families
•  

• --The Religion Teacher’s Journal
• --Loyola Press – Christ Our Life: Family Catechesis Resources: Grades 1-8
• --10 Tips for Teaching Religion Lessons to Your Children at Home
• --Today – How to homeschool during the coronavirus crisis with free resources
• --List of resources for studying at home