Family Resources
during Covid

1.   Year of the Family

   • NEW - Pope Francis – has released this video – the first in a series of 10 for this Year of the Family which began March 21. The goal of the Year of the Family is that we “fall in love with the family, just as St. Joseph did, who took care of his own family with dedication, tenderness, and love.”
   • Learn more about the Year of the Family on the Vatican website or the USCCB website.  Also, Witness to Love is offering the Year of Belonging for couples.  More information here.

2.  ​​2^nd Annual Theology of the Body  conference

   • NEW - April 30 – May 2    2^nd annual Theology of the Body virtual conference – over 30,000 people have already signed up – every speaker on TOB you’ve ever heard of is probably here – more information here

3.  Target Africa - Neocolonialism in the 21st century 

   • NEW - April 29   5:30pm PT  -  featuring pro-life expert author and speaker Uju Ekeocha on the harms of US funded contraception campaigns  – more information/register here

4.  Truth over Fear summit

   • ​​​​​​​NEW - April 30 – May 2  Truth over Fear summit, Catholic author and speaker Patrick Coffin and others – more information/ registration here

5.  For Men

   • ​​​​​​​NEW - April 24    Heroic Health Summit  - focus on mental and physical health – 9am – 11am PT   - info and registration here
   • NEW - May 14-15  Catholic Men’s conference   Brentwood, with Jesse Romero and Bishop Michael Barber – cost is $25 – info/register here
   • -- “Heroic Minute for Men” (one-minute meditations for men)  here
   • -- Adoration and Divine Mercy chaplet (weekly) – info here
   • -- Catholic Men’s Fellowship – national organization, often have monthly get-togethers (currently virtual) in the area  - more info here

6.  Parents, Couples

   • NEW - May 1    Catholic Family Conference – featuring Bishop Strickland and Cardinal Pell  -  virtual family pass for $40 – more info/register here
   • NEW - Summer 2021  Catholic Social teaching for this generation  from Ascension Press – for teens (MS and HS students) – more info here
   • NEW - Gender identity issues – new resource here
   • NEW - 10-minute Dates  - to refresh your relationship – get some ideas here
   • The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life offers monthly seminars for parents on the 3^rd Friday of each month (so, April 20 is the next one). These are excellent.  For more information go here or email Nicole here.   
   • Ruah Woods offers materials on Theology of the Body for children in K – 5.  Their materials are a wonderful, age-appropriate introduction of God’s plan for life and love.  More info here.  Info on materials for middle school available here.
   • NEW - -- virtual field trips/activities for kids here
   • NEW - - pro-life resources for children from Healing the Culture   here
   • NEW - - teaching kids good values – video – here
   • - Catholic books for young teens here
   • Pray the Film is an outstanding movie about the life of Fr Patrick Peyton, who originated the phrase “The Family that Prays Together, Stays Together.”   Here is a short trailer…   consider showing it at your parish – or watching it as a family -  sometime during Lent.  It is excellent!   More information at www.praythefilm.com .  To get information about screening at your parish go here.  

7. ​​​​​​​ For all

   • NEW - March – August    Maris Stella Institute – for ongoing formation in the Catholic faith, or for catechetical or advanced catechetical diplomas.  More information here.
   • NEW - April 27   annual Aquinas Lecture  at DSPT, with Archbishop Anthony Fisher – info here
   • NEW - May 6   Advancing a Culture of Life at your parish    4:00pm PT   - more info/register here
   • NEW - May 10-21  Theology of the Body and the Marian mystery -  online course by Christopher West   Cost is $895.   More information and registration here
   • NEW - May 25  course on Dante’s Divine Comedy – from Hillsdale College – more info/register here
   • Gender identity issues – new resource here
   • NEW - - Grace that Reigns – wonderful podcasts and other resources here
   • - Salvo magazine – blog posts on challenging topics around sexuality in the 21st century – here
   • -- Podcasts on managing finances
   • -- Pray the Film is an outstanding movie about the life of Fr Patrick Peyton, who originated the phrase “The family that Prays Together, Stays Together.”   Here is a short trailer…   The movie is fantastic - it opens with a shot of Fr Peyton landing by helicopter in Golden Gate Park to lead a crowd of 500,000 (!!!) people to say the rosary.  To call it inspiring is an understatement!.  Please look at the trailer, and consider showing it at your parish sometime during Lent.  It is excellent!   More information at www.praythefilm.com .  To get information about screening at your parish go here.  
   • “Seven excellent Catholic YouTube channels” with Matt Fradd
   • --Daily reflections with Fr Bill Watson, SJ here

8. ​​​​​​​Young Adults

   • NEW - Aug 2-7    Into the Deep retreat – Glacier National Park  - Theology of the Body-themed hiking retreat – more information/register here

• “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
• 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. 
• 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.
• --For those struggling with pornography, Covenant Eyes offers a 40-day challenge here, with (of course) an attendant app here
• --NFP podcast - Charting toward Intimacy.  The Diocese of Oakland has a new podcast for those interested in NFP – episode 13 is now out. 
• --Virtual 7-day marriage retreat from the US Catholic bishops
• --Communication workshops (vdeo series) for couples - these people are experts.
• --Peyton Family Institute for the Domestic Church -  great ideas for how to make your entire family grow in their faith.  Info here
• --More Catholic Resources for finances.
• -- 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    
• --Set aside time to pray with your spouse – Check out our Four Simple Steps to Pray with Your Spouse. 
• ---Consider using extra time to enrich your marriage – several of our marriage encouragement and enrichment resources have online courses available.
• --Be Kind – Pope Francis’ resolutions for couples are a great place to start.
• --Write a mission statement for your family.

• --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.

• --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
•  

• --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
•  

• --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
•  

• --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