PARISH LEADERS

Family Catechesis Sessions

Faith formation for families is often focused on just the children, but parishes have a huge opportunity to include parents in the process.  We provide resources for two models: Whole Family Catechesis and Learning Centers.

Family Sessions

In the following sessions families learn together, parents side-by-side with their children.  This model helps parents get involved in the religious education of their children in non-intimidating, creative, and practical ways.

Growing Up Catholic
Fall Learning Centers
​for Whole Family Catechesis

  • Downloadable, reproducible eResource.
  • Hold three fall events, on Mary, The Beatitudes (All Saints Day), and Giving Thanks to God (Thanksgiving)
  • Includes 7 creative, interactive activities for each event and more!

Lenten Plans for Busy Families
​Whole Family Catechesis Session

  • Downloadable, reproducible eResource.
  • A session to help each family understand Lent and decide how they want to enter the season.
  • Includes prayer, talking points, and four interactive activities.

Jesse Tree Whole Family Event Kit

  • Downloadable, reproducible eResource.
  • A session for families to learn about Jesus' family tree, make a parish Jesse tree, and start a Jesse tree for their home.
  • Includes prayer, talking points, handouts and artwork for each Jesse Tree ornament, and take-home handouts.

Whole Family Catechesis Sessions (eResource)

Outlines for Gathering Families
  • Outlines, prayers, and handouts to help you coach parents to form their own children.  Families sit together and the parents work directly with their own children.
  • Dismissal of young children is an option.
  • Topics correspond to major themes in the Catechism and standard religious ed. programs.
  • Special attention is paid to non-Catholic parents, families with multiple children, and households not regularly active in parish life.
Details
  • Fully-reproducible PDF eResource
  • Each session is about 20 8.5 x 11" pages
  • Price includes license to reproduce in  your parish community

Enriching Faith Series
Lessons, Activities, and Prayers

  • Creative activities in a format that works well for whole family catechesis and/or as learning centers.
  • Perfect for parish, school, or home-based programs.
  • Designed to make the leader's job easy, including background, materials lists, reproducible blackline masters, lesson starters, instructions, prayers, and options to extend the activities.
Titles:
  • Lessons, Prayers and Activities on the Teachings of Jesus
  • Lessons, Activities and Prayers on What Makes Us Catholic
  • Lessons & Activities on the Bible
  • Prayers and Activities on Service
  • Lessons and Activities on Prayer
Family Learning Centers: Advent & Lent 
(print book)

Outlines and Activities for Multiple Centers Per Session

120 pages, 8.5 x 11", reproducible
  • A great resource for organizing Advent or Lent family activity nights.
  • Everything you need for 13 Advent, 12 Lent, and 5 Triduum learning centers. 
  • Let Doris Murphy do the creative work for you in this excellent resource!
  • 120 pages, 8.5 x 11", most pages reproducible
Family Learning Centers: Saints 
(print book)

Outlines and Activities for Multiple Centers Per Session


120 pages, 8.5 x 11", reproducible
  • Engaging and creative activities to help families celebrate the saints. 
  • Each hands-on project illustrates Scripture or a Catholic teaching reflecting on a saint.
  • Each center includes a saint story told on two levels: younger (K-2) and older (grades 3-6).
  • Easy-to-follow directions and project templates, brimming with craft ideas, games, maps, writing projects, and more.

Learning Centers for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and the Whole Community (print book)

Outlines and Activities for Multiple Centers Per Session
  • 37 creative and formative centers for children preparing for these sacraments. Children and their families share church teaching, Scripture, prayers, conversation, and a fun activity reinforcing the teaching.
  • Plus 8 "gatherings" for the whole community: 4 for First Reconciliation and 4 for First Eucharist. 
  • 96 pages, 8.5 x 11", most pages reproducible

Learning Centers for Confirmation (print book)

Outlines and Activities for Multiple Centers Per Session
  • 15 creative and formative centers for children preparing for this sacrament. Children and their families share church teaching, Scripture, prayers, conversation, and a fun activity reinforcing the teaching.
  • Accommodate a variety of learning styles and offer a unique opportunity for adults and young people to learn about confirmation—together.
  • 80 pages, 8.5 x 11", most pages reproducible

Growing Up Catholic Sacramental Preparation

Our whole preparation process for First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation in Restored Order is built around family sessions that coach parents.  Learn more on our Sacramental Prep pages...
Or gather your parents while their kids are in class:
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