The Domestic Church: Catholic Life in the Home
-
-
Ways to develop your domestic church (from the USCCB)
- Begin praying as a family and reading from Scripture daily, certainly before meals, but also first thing in the morning or before bed. Find a time that works for your family. Use the liturgy of the Church as a model for prayer, and try to include heartfelt unstructured prayer as well.
- Pray a Family Rosary (each member leads a decade, and everyone shares intentions).
- Have a crucifix in a prominent place in the home, and in every bedroom.
- Make the Sacraments a regular celebration – take the whole family to Confession and Mass!
- Begin family traditions based on the seasons celebrated in the liturgical calendar.
- Make your vacation a holy pilgrimage by visiting the shrines and saints of our land and the world.
- Make worshiping God a priority. Never miss Mass, even while traveling – go to: www.MassTimes.org to find a church near you!
- Teach stewardship and charity to your children, through word and example.
- Demonstrate love for your spouse, your children, your neighbors, and the world. Remind their children that they are loved by God and have been given gifts to serve others.
- Talk freely about the presence of God in the joys and sorrows of your life.
- Welcome into your home and support priests, brothers, sisters, deacons, and lay ministers in the Church.
- Participate in the lay ministries and activities of your parish community.
- Allow your children to witness you in private prayer. Encourage your children to pray daily on their own, to listen for God’s call, and if heard, to respond.
- For more ideas on how to build your home as a Domestic Church, go to: www.domestic-church.com or visit The Family Fully Alive, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.
-
-
Web Resources for Building the Domestic Church
- Teaching Catholic Kids, from Our Sunday Visitor, is a valuable online tool for parents. Free downloadable activities and articles are updated each week and made available from the best of Our Sunday Visitor books, workbooks, and writers. https://teachingcatholickids.com/
- Loyola Press has a Catholic Kids site with prayers, coloring pages, saint stories, and games. Check it out here: https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/family/catholic-kids/
- Catholic Icing https://www.catholicicing.com/ has crafts, downloadable coloring pages and activity sheets, and liturgical activities for families.
-
-
