Our parish is blessed to have our very own registered therapy dog in attendance at many of our children's read-aloud sessions, walking group strolls, and other dog-friendly events. Orla is a 10-year-old Golden Retriever whose human happens to be our Pastoral Associate, Kate McGrath. Because Orla wants to share her many adventures with others, Kate has written down some of her stories in short, read-aloud books that are great introductions to the richness of our Catholic faith and what they mean to our daily lives.
Just as one is never too old to learn, our children are also never too young to be formed in the Catholic faith.
From the moment they are baptized into the Catholic Church, our children become members of the body of Christ. So as you tuck them into bed with a whispered prayer that God keep them safe; as your gently move their tiny hand to make the sign of cross on their forehead, chest, and shoulders; as you hang that children's cross on their bedroom wall, remember that they are already absorbing the importance of God in their lives.
People are always talking about incorporating faith into our everyday lives, making our homes a “domestic church,” and raising children with strong foundations in Church teachings. But when you’re helping your 3rd-grader with his remote learning classes, trying to keep your toddler from eating the cat food, and doing Zoom work calls from your bedroom closet, perhaps the only prayer your children have heard you saying lately is “God help me.” But like everything else, the key is to take it one day at a time, not to be too ambitious, and to prescribe to St. Thérèse de Lisieux’s “Little Way” philosophy to become a saint: “Do small things with great love.”
Here are some simple, little habits, traditions, and ideas that can help to bring God into our homes and our children’s hearts:
This compilation of tips have been collected from several sources. Check out:
humblehandmaid.com/30-ideas-for-passing-on-faith-to-little/
www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/making-faith-part-of-everyday-life/
www.catholicmom.com/
www.catholicicing.com/
http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.org/celebrating-rituals.html
Other resources:
Franciscan Media's Baby's First Prayers: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/faith-and-family/teach-me-to-pray-babys-first-prayers-at-bedtime
The Gift of Baptism: https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/the-gift-of-baptism
Signs and Symbols of Baptism: https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/08/14/signs-and-symbols-of-baptism/
Preparing for Your Child's Baptism: https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/09/24/preparing-for-your-childs-baptism
Aleteia's 5 Great Podcasts for Catholic Kids: https://aleteia.org/2019/07/26/5-great-podcasts-for-catholic-kids/
Podcasts:
Catholic Sprouts Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38WA3djuSkII5M3p1GyN6S
Catholic Sprouts Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm7nk3SkLtg0bYbSkXF6qTQ
Saints Stories for Kids: https://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/shining-light-dolls/saint-stories-for-kids/ep-102-st-kevin/ecda06e8-6d26-4ba8-aad3-6d54b7350749