Resources for Families with Children Ages 0-4: The birth of a child is an exciting time in a parent’s life as one begins to prepare their child for baptism and initiate their child at an early age into the mysteries of the faith. The family is the domestic Church, or “little Church,” where parents are to cultivate a family life centered on Christ.
- How To Take Young Children to Mass (For Your Marriage)
- Hope for Families with a Child with Autism: Advice for Parents (For Your Marriage)
- Bishop Barron on the Sacrament of Baptism (Word on Fire)
- Baptism: Becoming the Light of the World (CRS)
- Sacrament of Baptism (Franciscan Media)
- Sacraments 101- Baptism (Busted Halo)
- Shining Light Dolls (Saint Dolls, Books, Resources)
- How to Bless Your Children (The Catholic Gentleman)
- Book Suggestions for Toddlers:
- Can You Find Jesus?: Introducing Your Child to the Gospel by Philip D. Gallery
- New Picture Book of Saints: Illustrated Lives of the Saints for Young and Old by Lawrence G. Lovasik
- Catholic ABC Coloring Book by Emma C. McKean
- Catholic Children’s Books and Media (The Catholic Company)
Resources for Families with Children Ages 5-10: These early years with your children are extremely important, as the foundation is being built for their future faith life. These are prime years to introduce your children to Catholic prayer and worship though interactive lessons, activities, stories and videos. We encourage you to support this development by praying as a family, reading Scripture, attending Mass and Faith Formation classes.
- A Beginner's Guide to the Rosary (CatholiCity)
- How To Pray The Rosary Infographic (Catholic Faith Store)
- Ten Prayers Every Catholic Child Should Know (ThoughtCo.)
- Saints Stories for Kids (Loyola Press)
- Saints Activities & Lesson Plans (Loyola Press)
- Sunday Gospel Activities (CatholicMom.com)
- The Fountain of Love: How Parents Form Children for Prayerful Participation in the Eucharist, by J. David Franks, PhD, and Angela Franks, PhD (USCCB)
- Four Ways to Help Prepare Your Child for First Communion (Beliefnet)
- Sacraments 101- Eucharist (Busted Halo)
- First Communion Resources For Catholic Kids (Catholic Icing)
- Sacrament of the Eucharist (Franciscan Media)
- Play Mass Kit on Etsy or Amazon
- Catholic Child: Toys, Books, Media, Rosaries, More
- Raising Chaste Children in a Pornographic World (For Your Marriage)
- Marriage and a Special Needs Child (For Your Marriage)
- Raising Children of Character: 10 Principles (Catholic Education Resource Center)
Resources for Families with Children Ages 11-15: The nurturing of a child’s faith and moral formation takes place within the family, as faith is an essential part of family life. Parents are the primary faith educators, with duties as teachers and models of faith within their homes. As your children continue to receive the Sacraments of Initiation it is important for them to grow in holiness through family prayer, reading Scripture, regular confession, and Sunday Mass.
- Mass for Children by Rev. Jude Winkler, OFM
- St. Patrick's Summer: A Children's Adventure Catechism by Marigold Hunt
- Stations of the Cross by Lawrence G. Lovasik
- The Weight of a Mass by Josephine Nobisso
- Sacrament of Confirmation (Franciscan Media)
- Catholic Saints Research Projects (Ave Maria Press)
- How to Spiritually Prepare Your Teen for Confirmation (CatholicMom.com)
- Sacrament 101- Confirmation (Busted Halo)
- How Can You Keep Your Kids Catholic? (OurSundayVistor)
- Decision Point- Program for Parents and Sponsors (Dynamic Catholic)
- A Family's Guide to Social Media (OurSundayVistor)
- How to Recite the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy (The Divine Mercy)
- Edge Middle School Youth Ministry
- Book Suggestions for Adolescents:
- Your Questions, God's Answers, Prayer for Beginners by Peter Kreeft
- Did Adam and Eve Have Belly Buttons?: And 199 Other Questions from Catholic Teenagers, Do I Have To Go? by Matthew J. Pinto.
- Did Jesus Have a Last Name? And 199 Other Questions from Catholic Teenagers by Matthew Pinto.
- Saints of Note by Diana R. Jenkins
Resources for Parents: The family is the foundation of our life and society. In the family, one learns their first lessons of God and man, love and charity, right and wrong, discipline, responsibilities, human dignity and justice. Christ teaches us that parents are called to be the primary educators of their children in matters of faith. Below are some resources to aid you in the divine mission of getting your children to heaven.
Resources for Families with Children Ages 15-20: It is essential for mid and later adolescents to understand the importance of the Sacraments as they begin their journey to adulthood. You as a parent are an integral partner in their journey to adulthood in the faith, especially when your teen is trying to discover his or her God-given vocation. We encourage the integration of faith, learning, and life in order for your child to make an effort to honor God in all that is done.
- Ave Maria Press
- Ave Maria Radio
- Busted Halo
- Catholicity
- Catholic Biblical Apology
- Catholic Exchange
- Catholic Mission Leaflets
- Catholic News- EWTN
- Catholic News Service
- Catholic Relief Services Ministry Resource Center
- Daily Mass Readings
- Dynamic Catholic- Decision Point
- Eternal World Television Network
- Faith and Reason
- Franciscan Media
- Knights of Columbus
- New Advent (Catholic Encyclopedia)
- Real Life Catholic
- Theology of the Body Institute
- US Catholic Conference of Bishops Official Site
- US Catholic Magazine
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Vatican Website
- Word on Fire
- Word on Fire (Bishop Barron Homilies)
- Zenit (Catholic News Service)
- Sacrament of Reconciliation (Franciscan Media)
- Give Your Kids a Life: Keep Them Off Drugs (For Your Marriage)
- Parents Resources and Testimonials (USCCB)
- What is the Theology of the Body? (Cross Roads Initiative)
- Pope John Paul II (Real Life Catholic)
- Theology of the Body- Christopher West Pt 1 (Pure Passion)
- Theology of the Body- Christopher West Pt 2 (Pure Passion)
- Emotional Virtue Resources by Sarah Swafford
- Book Suggestions for Older Adolescents:
- Letters to a Young Catholic by George Weigel,
- Exploring Catholic Theology: Essays on God, Liturgy, and Evangelization by Robert Barron
- Every day with Maryby Dr. Mary Amore
- Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love: Practical Insights from John Paul II’s Love and Responsibility by Edward Sri
- Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body by Carl Anderson & Jose Granados
- The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
- The Theology of Her Body/The Theology of His Body by Jason Evert
- Websites
- Resources for Parents (Catholics Come Home)
- Parents and Parenting (USCCB)
- Raising Children of Character (Catholic Education Resource Center)
- Books
- The Catholic Family Handbook: Time-Tested Ways to Help You Strengthen Your Marriage and Raise Good Kids by Lawrence Lovasik
- The Catholic Catalogue: A Field Guide To The Daily Acts That Make Up A Catholic Life by Melissa Musick and Anna Keating
- Parenting with Grace: The Catholic Parents' Guide to Raising almost Perfect Kids by Gregory and Lisa Popcak
- Church Documents Related to the Family
- Familiaris Consortio (On the Christian Family in the Modern World), Pope St. John Paul II
- Letter to Families by Pope St. John Paul II
- Mulieris Dignitatem (On the Dignity of Women) by Pope St. John Paul II
- Letter to Women by Pope St. John Paul II
- Letter to Children in the Year of the Family by Pope St. John Paul II
- Humanae Vitae (On the Regulation of Birth) by Blessed Pope Paul VI
- Casti Connubii (On Christian Marriage) by Pope Pius XI