According to the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church: “The family, is so to speak, the domestic church.” (Lumen Gentium 11) This means that it is in the context of the family that we first learn who God is and to prayerfully seek His will for us.
–United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The single biggest determining factor in a child’s faith is how the faith is lived out at home, in the “domestic church.” It is in the home that children see the faith lived out. It is where they form their ideas of God, faith, prayer, and right and wrong. The parish’s religious education programs aid this development, but home is where it happens. Parents can use all the resources they can get to learn different ways to present and live the faith and to find answers to the tough questions. Here you can find resources to help answer any questions you have as well as activities to experience with your children. (And don’t forget your Director of Religious Education is a resource, too!)
Reference – These resources will assist you in answering any question about Catholicism
United State Conference of Catholic Bishops – This is a great resource to find information on the Church or the readings for the upcoming Sunday.
The Bible – Looking for a bible verse on the go? Use your electronic Bible.
Catechism of the Catholic Church – This book has a summary of our beliefs. This is a great reference for any questions you have about why we believe what we do.
New Advent – A huge resource! It contains links to Catholic news and blogs, and searchable online versions of the Bible, the Catholic Encyclopedia, the Summa Theologiae, key works of the Church Fathers, and many Church documents (encyclicals, exhortations, etc.).
Catholic Answers – the biggest Catholic apologetics website, providing answers to the difficult questions.
Shield the Vulnerable -Shield the Vulnerable is dedicated to raising the awareness and prevention of the mistreatment of the vulnerable. We work hard to accomplish this goal by training young people and adults about abuse, neglect, predators, bullying, boundaries, respect, and the perils of cyberspace.
Curriculum – If you want to continue a conversation your kids started in RE you can find help here.
Finding God (Text used in the classroom)
Saints – This sources give you a quick biography of any saint you are looking for.
Prayers – EWTN is a great place to go for current events and the faith.
Activities – Looking for a rainy day activity? OR something to help reinforce a lesson? Check out these websites and blogs for inspiration
Crafts – Catholic Icing has really great crafts and activities to do at home with your kids!
Blogs – These are some great blogs to help keep you inspired and informed.
Joy – Amazing blogging by a mother of 9 adult children who writes on spirituality, saints, and the church.
The Source for Parents – Great blog and resource for parents of middle school and high schoolers.