Family Resources
during Covid

- Ministries

   Prayer/Liturgy Families   Just for Children

Many of these were compiled from the US Bishops list - more resources can be found on the USCCB websites: www.usccb.org/coronavirus and www.foryourmarriage.org or www.paratumatrimonio.org

Here are a few suggestions on how to use this time well :

Build and Fortify Your Relationships (updated 12/21/20)

--- Up to 20% of couples struggle with fertility - Organic Conceptions is a new,

evidenced-based service for those trying to achieve pregancy.

More information here

1)  NEW – “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

1b)   NEW - 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.

2)  NEW – Read the Bible in a Year with Fr Mike Schmitz

2b) NEW – 5-part overview of the Bible (Matt Fradd)

3) NEW - 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.

4) NEW – Pray the Film – the Father Patrick Peyton story is excellent) – we can’t go to theaters now, but available 12/18 for digital purchase at www.praythefilm.com

5) NEW – Advent retreat – “Unshakeable Joy” – with Chris Stefanick and Cardinal Cantalamessa – more info here

6) NEW – for families – “Virtual road trips” – the perfect ‘getaway’ for those at home – (thanks to Amy, Alex and Grandma!) – I’ve always wanted to see Machu Pichu….

7) NEW - for men – “Heroic Minute” weekly series
7b) Catholic Fatherhood summit (recorded)

8) NEW - for women virtual retreats (both with a fee) - “Embrace Joy” Advent retreat (began Dec 4) and Lux summit (recorded)

9) NEW - for parents - Keeping kids safe from pornography in a time of isolation
9b) Excellent resource book on Catholic parenting (all ages)

9c) Developing the domestic church (short essay with suggestions)
9d) Spiritual formation for children

Other resources:

--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.

--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.

Pray Together

--Celebrate and observe Sunday with a livestreamed Mass – check listings on your diocesan website or www.EWTN.com .

--Pray the Rosary – here’s a tutorial if you need a refresher. Try starting with just one decade and offer it for an intention important to your family. Close with Archbishop Gomez’ Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe (also in video form).

--Meditate on the Scriptures – Consider praying with the daily Mass readings as a family.

--Visit your local parish: some churches are still open for private visits. Spend time as a family before Jesus in the tabernacle. He is waiting for you! Or visit Him virtually… www.savior.org

--Pray the Stations of the Cross – you can do this at home with a simple cross or crucifix. Use these meditations on the USCCB website or pray our Stations of the Cross for Marriages and Families.

Have Fun Together

--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.

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Prayers

--Pope Francis’s Prayer to Mary during Coronavirus Pandemic

--COVID-19 Prayer of Solidarity (USCCB)

--Coronavirus Prayer Card (USCCB) – in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Mass and Adoration Livestream (national)

--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

Prayer and Liturgical Resources
The following publishers have generously made their resources available to support prayer during these difficult days. We thank them for their generosity and pastoral concern.

--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

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Resources/Articles for Parents and Families

--Augustine Institute FORMED (free for 40 days)

Coronavirus

--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

Faith and Prayer

--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

Fun Activities

--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

Teaching Children at Home

--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

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Prayer and Mass for Children

--Magnificat – MagnifiKid

--OSV – Praying with Children

--Catholic Sprouts--Loyola Press – Children’s Prayers, Praying with Children, and Sunday Connection

Teens --The Culture Project - a fantastic group of young adults promoting chastity and other virtues     -   TikTok,   blogs, YouTube
--resources for talking to young people about the dangers of pornography
--social media controls for parents
--LifeTeen - resources for Catholic teens
--YouCat - daily prayer app, other resources

Children’s Activities

--Tiny Saints – Free printable activity sheets

--St. Mary’s Press – At Home Activities

--Catechetical Activities: Diocese of San Bernardino

---The CatholicKid.comCatholicMom.com Catholic Gospel Coloring & Worksheets for Sunday Mass

--Go Catechist Prayer Activities

--Catholic Icing - materials for children

--CGS in the Home (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd)

Children’s Videos and Podcasts

--EWTN Kids

--My Catholic Kids (free access)

--The Pope Francis Minute

--Saint Stories for Kids

--Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure

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Family Resources during Covid

Family Resources
during Covid