Build and Fortify Your Relationships (updated 4/17/21)
Year of the Family
NEW - Pope Francis – has released this video – the first in a series of 10 for this Year of the Family which began March 21. 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.
2nd AnnualTheology of the Bodyconference
NEW -April 30 – May 2 2nd annual Theology of the Body virtual conference – over 30,000 people have already signed up – every speaker on TOB you’ve ever heard of is probably here – more information here
Target Africa - Neocolonialism in the 21st century
NEW -April 295:30pm PT - featuring pro-life expert author and speaker Uju Ekeocha on the harms of US funded contraception campaigns – more information/register here
Truth over Fearsummit
NEW -April 30 – May 2Truth over Fear summit, Catholic author and speaker Patrick Coffin and others – more information/ registration here
For Men
NEW -April 24Heroic Health Summit - focus on mental and physical health – 9am – 11am PT - info and registration here
NEW -May 14-15Catholic Men’s conference Brentwood, with Jesse Romero and Bishop Michael Barber – cost is $25 – info/register here
-- “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
Parents, Couples
NEW -May 1Catholic Family Conference – featuring Bishop Strickland and Cardinal Pell - virtual family pass for $40 – more info/register here
NEW -Summer 2021Catholic Social teaching for this generation from Ascension Press – for teens (MS and HS students) – more info here
NEW -10-minute Dates - to refresh your relationship – get some ideas here
The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life offers monthly seminars for parents on the 3rd Friday of each month (so, April 20 is the next one). These are excellent. For more information go here or email Nicole 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.
NEW --- virtual field trips/activities for kids here
NEW -- pro-life resources for children from Healing the Culture 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.
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
-- 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.” Hereis 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
NEW -Aug 2-7 Into the Deep retreat – Glacier National Park - Theology of the Body-themed hiking retreat – more information/register here
Other resources:
“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 challengehere, 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
-- Up to 20% of couples strugglewith fertility - Organic Conceptions is a new, evidenced-based service for those trying to achieve pregnancy. More information here
--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).
--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
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.
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
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