| Celebrating Our Faith |
Celebrating Our Faith for October
HOME IS WHERE PRAYER BEGINS
Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God. The family is the primary prayer model for children. To help your children develop a life of prayer, it is important for you to set an example. Praying daily helps you build the practice of prayer into your own life as well as your children. There are many ways to pray and many types of prayer. We will be looking at these in the months ahead.
For more information go to: Finding God and click on Resources/ Learn More About Prayer
Praying Your Way Through the Day for 12 tips to help you pray through the day.
Helping People Pray to help your children discover prayer on the go activities.
For a simple Family Prayer Starter
CELEBRATING THE LITURGICAL YEAR
The most important thing about the liturgical seasons is not the way the weather changes but the way God’s story is told and celebrated.
CELEBRATING FAMILY RITUALS
Thomas Boland notes that “the seeds of the sacred are sown for Christian families in the field of everyday experiences.” Throughout the day simple rituals like morning or bedtime prayers, grace before meals, taking time to bless a family member as he/she leaves for work or school are all wonderful reminders of God’s presence in our lives and homes. Milestone moments; birthdays, first day of school, graduations, marriage, anniversaries, and civic celebrations provide us with many opportunities to celebrate and share faith within our households.
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
25 WAYS TO KEEP CHRIST IN THE 25 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Visit the Faith Filled Parenting section of this web site for other suggestions on how to prepare for Christ’s Birth.
CELEBRATING SOME OF THE FEAST DAYS OF THE SEASON
There are many special feast days during the month of December and January. Here are just a few:
Advent Season:
December 6 The Feast of St. Nicholas
St Nicholas is a wonderful example of generosity. We can learn many lessons from him on quiet acts of giving as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. Read more about St. Nicholas
Listen to Pat Fox’s pod cast From St. Nick to Santa Claus
On December 6 have everyone choose the name of a family member.
Throughout the day or throughout the Advent season do secret acts of kindness for the person whose name you have.
December 12 the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of Mexico and the Americas. In 1531 she appeared to Juan Diego. When the bishop asked for a sign of the appearance, Our Lady appeared to him again and instructed him to gather a bouquet of roses. He put the roses in his cloak and went to visit the bishop. When Juan Diego arrived he opened his coat, the roses fell out and a picture of Mary remained imprinted on the cloak. The image inspired many Indians to convert to Christianity.
On December 12 put out a picture of Mary if you have one. The reading that day is from Matthew 2: 13-23 Mary and Joseph’s flight to Egypt. Many people are like Mary and Joseph, forced to leave their homes. At dinner pray for the people who are homeless in our world.
Christmas
Take time to talk about the Christmas Mass you attended. What did you see? What message did you hear?
Before bed take a few minutes to talk about the blessings of your day. Pray the following prayer. Gracious God, we praise and thank You for the many gifts and blessings which you have given us. We thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus. Be with our family in the days ahead so we may bring your love to others. Fill our home with hospitality, joy, gentleness, and thanksgiving. Guide our steps in the way of peace. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Feast of the Holy Family
This feast is celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas. Our readings focus on the importance of holiness of family life. Attend Mass and celebrate this day by spending time together. Appreciate the gift that you are to one another.
Talk about the ways your family is holy.
Invite everyone to share a moment of “ordinary holiness” from his or her day.
Remember God is with you all the time. Your job is to learn how to recognize his presence.
Christmas is not only a day it is a state of mind.
Keep the Spirit of Christmas alive all year long.
Mother Teresa reminds us “It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you.”
