Family Resources
during Covid

• 1)  Feb 7 - 14.  -  US Bishops celebrate National Catholic Marriage Week.  Here are some resources 
• Prayers of the Faithful for parishes
• At-Home Marriage Retreat (English) for all married couples
• At-Home Marriage Retreat (Spanish) for all married couples
• Parish Resource to Promote NMW 2021 for diocesan and parish leaders

• 2)  Feb 11   - “Priesthood or Marriage?”  Archdiocesan Vocations director Fr Cameron Faller, Fr Kyle Faller,  and their married brother will talk about vocations – “Priesthood or marriage?” This event is open to all, even if you're not eligible for the priesthood.

• 3) COUPLES !!
• 3a)   NEW – Feb 13 and 14 – Catholic Dating Online - here  k
• 3b)   NEW – Feb 14 -  Date Night for Catholics – in English and Spanish – go here
• 3c)   NEW – Date night for First Responders and Hospital workers – go here

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• 4) BIBLE !!
• 4a)   Read the Bible in a Year with Fr Mike Schmitz
• 4b)   Feb. 11-13   2021 International Catholic Bible Summit, with Mark Hart, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Chris Stefanick, Danielle Bean, Scott Hahn, Patrick Madrid, and dozens of other dynamic speakers  
  4c)  5-part overview of the Bible (Matt Fradd)

• 5)   Ready for Lent?
  5a)  NEW -Lenten resources for families   https://catholicfamilycrate.com/?aff=85
  5b)  NEW --Excellent blog on topics such as married couples, parents, prayer, family life…. https://www.catholicmarriageprep.com/blog
  5c)  NEW  --Bishop Barron’s Lenten resource book  https://bishopbarronbooks.com/lentreflectionbooks2021
  
  6) For men
• 6a)  “Heroic Minute” weekly series
  6b)  Catholic Fatherhood summit (recorded)

• 7)  Apps
• 7a) “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
• 7b)  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. 

• 8)  Families
• 8a)  “Virtual road trips” – the perfect ‘getaway’ for those at home – (thanks to Amy, Alex and Grandma!) – I’ve always wanted to see Machu Pichu….
• 8b)  Resources to learn coding (!) https://techbootcamps.utexas.edu/blog/coding-tools-for-kids/
• 8c)  --Quick tech types for parents from Protect Young Eyes   https://protectyoungeyes.com/?mc_cid=e0496b966e&mc_eid=6a8b41dbb7
  
  
  9)  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.
• 9b) Pray the Film – the Father Patrick Peyton story is excellent) – we can’t go to theaters now, but available 12/18 for digital purchase at www.praythefilm.com

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  10)  For Parents 
• 10a) Keeping kids safe from pornography in a time of isolation
  10b)  Excellent resource book on Catholic parenting (all ages) 
• 10c)  Developing the domestic church  (short essay with suggestions)
  10d)  Quick tech types for parents from Protect Young Eyes   https://protectyoungeyes.com/?mc_cid=e0496b966e&mc_eid=6a8b41dbb7
  10e)  Spiritual formation for children
  
  Other resources:
• --For those struggling with pornography, Covenant Eyes offers a 40-day challenge here, with (of course) an attendant app here
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• --NFP podcast - Charting toward Intimacy.  The Diocese of Oakland has a new podcast for those interested in NFP – episode 13 is now out. 
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• --Virtual 7-day marriage retreat from the US Catholic bishops
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• --Communication workshops (vdeo series) for couples - these people are experts.
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• --Peyton Family Institute for the Domestic Church -  great ideas for how to make your entire family grow in their faith.  Info here
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• --More Catholic Resources for finances.
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• -- Up to 20% of couples struggle with fertility - Organic Conceptions is a new,         evidenced-based service for those trying to achieve pregnancy. More information here    
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• --Set aside time to pray with your spouse – Check out our Four Simple Steps to Pray with Your Spouse. 
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• ---Consider using extra time to enrich your marriage – several of our marriage encouragement and enrichment resources have online courses available.
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• --Be Kind – Pope Francis’ resolutions for couples are a great place to start.
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• --Write a mission statement for your family.
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• --Do something fun as a family – bake a pie, bring out a board game, get creative with craft supplies, or take a nature walk at a nearby trail.
• --Don’t stop date nights – here are some suggestions, most of which can be done at home.
• --Start building a family photo album or photobook. Organize your photos and plan some home videos.

• --Pope Francis’s Prayer to Mary during Coronavirus Pandemic
• --COVID-19 Prayer of Solidarity (USCCB)
• --Coronavirus Prayer Card (USCCB) – in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
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• --Vatican News Live Streaming Mass with Pope Francis
• --EWTN Daily Mass
• --Catholic TV Mass
• --Catholic Faith Network Masses
• --Relevant Radio Daily Live Mass
• --Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
• --John Paul II National Shrine – Mass and Divine Mercy Chaplet
• --St Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City
• --Word On Fire Daily Masses
• --EWTN Live Adoration (9am-6pm EST)
• --Adorecast – Live Perpetual Adoration
• --Eastern Church Divine Liturgy Livestreams
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• --Magnificat: English / Spanish and MagnifiKid
• --Liturgical Press: Give us this Day Digital
• --Bayard: Living with Christ
• --The Word Among Us: English / Spanish
• --The Word on Fire Institute
• --USCCB Daily Readings
• --Lectio Divina
• --Liturgy of the Hours
• --Rosary online
• --USCCB Stations of the Cross Audio
• --CRS Virtual Stations of the Cross
• --Hallow Prayer App

Resources/Articles for Parents and Families

• --Augustine Institute FORMED (free for 40 days)

• --V Encuentro  0 tons of resources for families, youth, young adults - English and Spanish
• --Growing Up Catholic-Pastoral Center – Faith-fully Navigating Coronavirus with Your Kids
• --Strong Catholic Family Faith – Having Difficult Conversations
• --CatholicMom.com – 10 ways to Survive (and Thrive) Through Days of Quarantine
• --U.S. Catholic – Life under Lockdown: 8 Ways to Handle Staying at Home
• --OSV – Interview with Joseph D. White, Child and family psychologist
• --PSA: Talking to Your Kids about COVID-19 with Dr. Harvey Payne

• --Archdiocese of Seattle – At Home with Faith
• --Archdiocese of Detroit – 52 Sundays
• --CatholicMom.com – Resources for Family Prayer
• --Loyola Press – Prayer and the Family Meal, Family Faith and Fun, and Tips for Praying with Children
• --Trinity House Heaven in Your Home Workshops
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• --Catechist.org – Catholic I.Q. The Family of God
• --Family Bible Challenge
• --The Leadership Institute, Diocese of Bridgeport – Cathequizem and Family Resources
• --Virtual Field Trip
• --Archdiocese of Los Angeles – Family Activities
• --NFCYM Strong Catholic Families
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• --The Religion Teacher’s Journal
• --Loyola Press – Christ Our Life: Family Catechesis Resources: Grades 1-8
• --10 Tips for Teaching Religion Lessons to Your Children at Home
• --Today – How to homeschool during the coronavirus crisis with free resources
• --List of resources for studying at home