Ways to Live the Catholic Faith in Your Family
Archdiocese of Dubuque Family Prayer Resources Web Page
October is Respect Life Month
October 3 is Respect Life Sunday
October is the Month of the Holy Rosary
- Pray the Rosary with Kids: Create a Rosary Board here.
- Teach your children how to pray the rosary with this Rosary for the Littles.
- October 7 - The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
- Learn about the origins of the rosary and ways it can nurture our Catholic faith here.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
- October 15 – Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
Let us remember all the babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death and pray for their families. Resources to help families are available at www.DBQArch.org/BeholdYourChild.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October 24 - World Mission Sunday
 In October, we remember in a special way the Church's life-giving service in mission countries. This year's "World Mission Sunday" theme is "We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). Pope Francis invites us "to become actively engaged in the mission: 'God therefore to the highways and byways, and invite everyone you find'"(Mt 22:9). This year's theme is "a summons to each of us to own and to bring to others what we bear in our hearts."
- Pope Francis’ Message for World Mission Sunday 2021 can be found here.
- Learn more about World Mission Sunday here.
- Additional resources can be found here.
October 31 - Halloween
 Halloween is a holiday rich in history and meaning (much of it religious), making it a great opportunity to combine fun and learning about values for our children.
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October 1 - St. Thérèse of Lisieux
- Spend a day doing little things for God and others in honor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, “The Little Flower.”
- For resources, activities, and printables, click here.
October 2 – The Feast of the Guardian Angels
October 4 - St. Francis of Assisi
 Do something nice for animals, such as building a bird feeder, putting out bread with peanut butter and bird seed, taking a dog to the park, etc.- For ways to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis, click here.
October 5 – St. Maria Faustina Kowalska
 Learn about this apostle of the Divine Mercy here.- Read more about the story of St. Faustina here.
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Year of St. Joseph
 As we continue to celebrate the Year of St. Joseph, the pope invites us to:
* increase our love for St. Joseph.
* implore his intercession.
* imitate his virtues and zeal. |
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Year of the Amoris Laetitia Family
Pope Francis has declared a Year of the Amoris Laetitia Family from March 19, 2021 through June 26, 2022 when the World Meeting of Families will take place in Rome. Learn more about this year, read a statement by Archbishop Jackels, and find resources for celebrating it, by visiting: https://dbqarch.org/year-of-amoris-laetitia.
Additional Resources can be found here:
- United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): News, events, and resources
- Loyola Press: Prayers, videos, parish resources, and more!
- Catholic Current: Resources for marriage, parenting, family life, NFP, dating, podcasts, and more!
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Website Highlight
Behold Your Child Ministry
 Behold Your Child is a ministry developed in collaboration by the archdiocesan offices of Marriage and Family Life, Respect Life and Social Justice, and Catholic Charities, to provide hope and healing for parents and families who have experienced a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death (whether recently or years ago). This website includes resources such as reflections, counseling services, articles, blessings, and more, to assist families who have experienced a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR LOSS.
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Marriage Matters
"Try a Five-Point Tune-Up For Your Marriage"
 Like our heating and cooling systems, marriages benefit from preventive maintenance. Do you need to discuss a stressful issue before it erupts? Are you looking for an activity or two to rejuvenate your marriage? As we transition from summer into fall, now is a good time to plan for marriage maintenance. Take a look at this article from the USCCB's "For Your Marriage" website to find five tips for tuning up your marriage this fall.
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 "Have you ever thought of your family life as a liturgy? The liturgy of domestic church life. Does that seem odd? It shouldn’t.
The word “liturgy” describes the specific “work” the Church does to heal the damage sin creates in our relationships with God and others. The Liturgy of the Eucharist conquers sin’s power to separate us from God and gives us the grace we need to go forth and build a civilization of love.
And that’s where the liturgy of domestic church life comes in. It is this second, complementary liturgy that enables us to bring Jesus home (so to speak), empowering us to heal the damage sin has done to the very root of civilization: the human family."
In this article, Dr. Greg Popcak explores the five ways the Christian family is a liturgy.
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Book of the Month
Gift From God
by Lori Butierries
 All mothers dream of the best for their unborn children, but what happens when life doesn't go to plan? In GIFT FROM GOD, an expectant mother learns that her child won't be born as healthy as others, so she must change her plans and outlook on life. Told through the mother's loving words, and with the help of poignant but straightforward illustrations, GIFT FROM GOD touches on the sensitive subject of raising a child with a disability through one mother's story of embracing the unexpected and living life with her child to the fullest.
- Purchase this book here.
- This book is available for sign-out from the Education Resource Center (#BK 200094)
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Movie Pick
War Room
This compelling drama with humor and heart explores the power that prayer can have on marriages, parenting, careers, friendships, and every other area of our lives. WAR ROOM is a vivid reminder that prayer is a powerful weapon. (http://www.kendrickbrotherscatalogue.com/warroom/home)
- This movie is available to sign out from the Education Resource Center (#DV 31422).
- Watch the movie trailer here.
- Download the free Discussion Guide.
- Purchase a DVD of this movie here.
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Interest in Pinterest
October Pinterest Highlights for Families
from the Archdiocesan Education Resource Center: www.pinterest.com/dbqarch
Check out these October Pinterest topics focused on the family - the Domestic Church!
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All Are Welcome
Archdiocesan Embracing Inclusion Award Recipients
 The "Embracing Inclusion Award" recognizes parishes/clusters, schools, and institutions in the Archdiocese of Dubuque that have responded to the needs of persons with disabilities. Awards are presented in two categories: Best Improvement to Property providing greater accessibility, and Best Program or Project for fuller inclusive participation in the life of the faithful. Congratulations to this year's award recipients, St. Wenceslaus Parish in Cedar Rapids, and Wahlert High School in Dubuque.
October is Respect Life Month
Every October, we consider more deeply why every human life is valuable, and we reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death. The Archdiocese of Dubuque provides family resources, videos, activities and prayers, and more for Respect Life Month. Click here.
- Respect Life Resources from the USCCB: This year, the USCCB's focus is on St. Joseph, defender of life. Digital and print resources are available to help your parish celebrate Respect Life Month, including posters, reflections, graphics, study guide and action guides. Resources can be found here.
Halloween Fun for Everyone!
Check out these adaptive Halloween costumes for persons with disabilities!
For additional information and resources for inclusion of persons with diverse abilities, please contact Lynne Chapman at l.chapman@dbqarch.org or 563-556-2580, ext. 246.
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Prayers and Reflections
Giving Thanks to God
for the Gift of Human Life
God our Creator,
we give thanks to you,
who alone have the power to impart the breath of life
as you form each of us in our mother's womb;
Grant, we pray,
that we, whom you have made stewards of creation,
may remain faithful to this sacred trust
and constant in safeguarding the dignity of every human life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
From the Roman Missal, Mass For Various Occasions, 48/1.
"For Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life"
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Upcoming Events
2022 Archdiocesan Women's Conference
Beauty in Christ: Holy Women of the Visitation
Saturday, January 29, 2022 - 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
 Mark your parish calendar for this teleconference event, as together we explore the Visitation between Mary and Elizabeth! This year's theme, Holy Women of the Visitation, features two national speakers: Liz Kelly, author of Love like a Saint, and Emily Jaminet, author of The Friendship Project, and more! Talks will be available in English and Spanish. This year's virtual conference enables women to participate from the comfort of their own homes, or to gather in parishes to experience the virtual event together! Group rates will be available. Click here to learn more! Please contact Joanne Pohland with any questions.
2022 Archdiocesan Men’s Conference
Saturday, March 19, 2022 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Xavier High School, Cedar Rapids (with live-stream available)
 Mark your calendar for the 26th Annual Men’s Conference! This conference will be held on the Feast of St. Joseph, and will highlight the example of St. Joseph as a model for all men. The keynote speaker will be Mark Hartfiel, vice-president of Paradisus Dei, a ministry that produces the “That Man is You!” men’s program. The lunch session will be presented by Devin Schadt, the founder of the Fathers of St. Joseph men’s ministry. Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Michael Jackels. For more information, please visit www.archmensconference.org. Registration will open soon!
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Archdiocese of Dubuque
Marriage & Family Life Office
1229 Mt. Loretta Ave.
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 556-2580, x233
www.dbqarch.org/family-life
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Celebrate this feast by doing read-alouds from St. Luke's Gospel (or pick a few stories for younger children). Use a children’s Bible like 
