 A REMINDER...
We recommend that you click on
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YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUESTED!
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The Archdiocese of Dubuque is considering hosting a Conference for Catholic Parents. We would appreciate your input as we explore this possibility! To access the online survey, please CLICK HERE. Thank you, in advance, for your participation in this survey!
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Wishing you and your family a Blessed Christmas Season!
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Winter Activities for Catholic Families
The Christmas Season
 In the Catholic Church, Christmas officially begins on Christmas Eve and ends with the Baptism of the Lord (Observed on Monday, January 9 this year).
December 31 - New Year's Eve
 Plan a Fun and Holy New Year's Eve for your family! Include a prayerful "Hour of Watching" as midnight draws near.
January 1 – New Year’s Day
Celebrate New Year’s Day by embracing family traditions, reminiscing on the past year, and looking forward to the possibilities in the year ahead.
- Set aside time regularly just for your family to be together. Get back to basics: Play a game together, go for a winter walk, or just sit down with a cup of hot cocoa and visit with one another.
- Start a faith conversation ("Where did you see God today/over the past year?").
- Gather your family to share a Prayer for the New Year. Click here or here for options.
January 18 - 25 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
 This year's theme is "Do Good, Seek Justice." (Isaiah 1:12-18). During this week, Churches of all faiths are called together to create unity by heeding Jesus' prayer "that they all may be one." As we pray for the unity of Christians, may we show a renewed desire and effort for justice and peace towards one another, especially within our families. Read more here.
January 19 - 27 – 9 Days for Life
9 Days for Life is a multi-faceted novena for the respect and protection of human life. Each day, a different intention is accompanied by a short reflection, suggested actions, and related information. Participate in Pro-Life activities provided by the USCCB in both English and Spanish.
January 22 - Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
This day of prayer recognizes the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
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We Three Kings
 This video performed by KidZone provides a mixture of animation and illustrations to accompany the song "We Three Kings," sung by children. Your little ones will be singing along! (Click on the picture to the right.)
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Connecting Winter Family Activities with Faith
 Winter family activities help us to appreciate the beautiful world God made for us. This article from Young-Catholics.com shows us how we should enjoy the world even when it is cold! Do something outdoors as a family. Some of the ideas offered here require snow, and others do not. After each activity, talk about how God has provided the outdoors for us as our own playground. And he has provided so many other things for us also, including the gift of Jesus!
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Surviving the Challenging Winter Months
Coming up with fun activities for your teens and tweens can be a challenge during the winter months. Here are some fun and creative family activities to try:
- Keep the memory of summer alive by going to an indoor waterpark or swimming pool. While you're
 there, have an indoor picnic!
- Host a movie marathon night with hot cocoa and snacks, or build a bonfire and invite neighborhood families, and make ice cream out of snow!
- Create an indoor obstacle course, scavenger hunt or minute-to-win-it games.
- Have a neighborhood Olympics, with glow-in-the-dark sledding, snowman-making contests, snowball toss, ice skating, and more. Or choose teams and have an epic snowball fight!
- For a Christ-centered activity, shovel snow for someone in need.
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Unleashing the Power of the Millenial Catholic Mom
 In this edition of OSV Catholic Talks, Katie Prejean McGrady explores the conditioning and captivity of online comparison that millennial moms face while trying to raise a family, love their husbands and pursue a relationship with Jesus. In her passionate talk, Katie offers ways for the Church to affirm and applaud motherhood by making a space for Catholic moms within the life of the Church. Click here to view the video. |
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Say ‘I do’ to 3 New Year’s resolutions for couples
https://denvercatholic.org/say-3-new-years-resolutions-couples/
 "Since the ultimate goal of marriage is to help your spouse (and children) get to heaven, we each must take steps toward this goal. ... We must make an effort each day to love our spouse; to honor, respect and die to ourselves for the sake of our beloved; the one we said 'I do' to." This article suggests three simple New Year's resolutions for marriages. Whether it is these three or other resolutions, talk with your spouse to decide on something new to commit to together as a couple in the New Year.
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Sharing God's Mercy During This Christmas Season
 The Christmas season is the perfect time for families to gather. But are we truly "seeing" those who are present among us? In his apostolic letter for the closing of the Year of Mercy in 2016, Pope Francis offered a focus on being merciful. Christmastime provides wonderful opportunities to show mercy, to look around and see those standing on the periphery who are at risk of being excluded from the joys of the season. Encourage family members to share joy and show dignity to those who feel left out. God's mercy finds expression in the closeness, affection, and support that we offer, and in the strength of family. Young family members can patiently listen to grandparents' stories, or can offer them a hand in a way that says, "You are important to me." If you are a grandparent, notice your children or grandchildren who are waiting for your affirmation or your words of wisdom. Even if you feel that you have nothing to give, you can still offer your smile, your prayers, your thanks, or a word of kindness to those who show you mercy. Let your loving presence be the gift you give to others today and throughout the New Year! (Excerpts from The Catholic Messenger)
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Reminders for the Christmas Season
 Seek out persons with disabilities in your parishes, especially over the holidays! Personally invite persons with special needs and their families to participate in special holiday gatherings and liturgies, and introduce new families to other  parishioners. Also, note that, oftentimes, the elderly and some families of persons with disabilities go into lockdown during flu season. Don’t forget to check in with them. Let them know they are missed. Include them remotely when possible. Visit them – arrange opportunities for them to receive the sacraments if possible. Send notes, phone calls, emails, and Christmas greetings.
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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January Pinterest Highlights for Families
From the Archdiocese of Dubuque Pinterest Boards: www.pinterest.com/dbqarch
Check out these January Pinterest topics focused on the family - the Domestic Church!
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Catholic Schools Week 2023
January 29 - February 4, 2023
 The Archdiocese of Dubuque is blessed with many Catholic schools that help parents teach the Catholic faith to over 11,000 children across the archdiocese, forming them as followers of Jesus. Join Catholic schools from across the country in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Catholic Schools Week from January 29 - February 4, 2023. Please continue to pray for our Catholic school teachers and staff, pastors, parents, and children as they thank God for the gift of, and celebrate Catholic school education!
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2023 Beauty in Christ Archdiocesan Women's Virtual Conference
 "Fiat! Saying Yes to God!"
Saturday, January 28, 2023 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM
 This year's virtual conference enables women to participate from the comfort of their own homes or to gather in parishes to experience the event together! The theme of the conference is "Fiat! Saying Yes to God!" and will include keynote presentations by national speaker and author Marcia Lane-McGee and local women's health educator, Jamie Rathjen.
Visit www.archwomensconference.org for more information and registration!
2023 Archdiocese of Dubuque Men's Conference
Saturday, March 25, 2023 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
 You’re invited to the 27th Annual Archdiocese of Dubuque Men’s Conference on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids (with live-stream available)! This conference will be held on the Solemnity of the Annunciation and will focus on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our lives. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Edward Sri, a world-renowned author and speaker, and co-founder of FOCUS (the Fellowship of Catholic University Students). The day will also include Mass celebrated by Archbishop Michael Jackels and breakout sessions presented by local speakers. For more information and registration, please visit www.archmensconference.org.
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Ten New Year's Resolutions for Catholic Parents
This year, with God's help, we resolve:1. To make spending time with God as a family a priority, in prayer, in our home, and at Mass.
2. To teach our children about God, His ways, his promises, and His love for us.
3. To treat our children with respect and love, and to always have their best interests at heart.
4. To forgive one another, and to ask forgiveness from our children when we have wronged them.
5. To allow ourselves the grace and humility to be imperfect, and to accept our imperfections.
6. To rejoice in being the parents God made us to be, and to resist comparing ourselves to other parents.
7. To play more, and pray more with our children.
8. To show our children that they are loved by making time for them, especially when life gets busy.
9. To work on strengthening our covenantal marriage relationship in order to strengthen our family.
10. To love our children as God loves them, and to make sure they know it every day.
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Upcoming Opportunities for Teaching the Faith
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Check out these online resources with prayers and reflections, blogs,
discussion groups, tools for parents and catechists, and more:
NOTE: Saints of the Month can be found on the Archdiocese of Dubuque Website HERE.
FOR FAMILIES:
Loyola Press Family Resources
The Kids Bulletin for Sunday
Holy Cross Family Ministries
The Kennedy Adventures - Practical solutions for Catholic parents
CathFamily - Resource library for raising children in the Catholic Faith
Strong Catholic Family - resources and activities for Catholic families
Faith and Fabric - Activities for Catholic families
The Catholic Toolbox - ideas, inspiration and resources for catechists and parents
Teaching Catholic Kids from Our Sunday Visitor
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