Ways to Live the Catholic Faith in Your Family

Archdiocese of Dubuque Family Prayer Resources Web Page

January 30 - February 5 – Catholic Schools Week
Do you know any Catholic School teachers? Catholic Schools Week is a great opportunity to offer up a special prayer for them to St. John Neumann, patron saint for Catholic teachers. For activities and more information about Catholic Schools Week, click here.
 

February is the Month of the Holy Family
February marks a transition from the feast of Christmas to the fasting of Lent. Therefore, traditionally, February has become a time to recall the Holy Family; within the Holy Family is where Jesus spent the time between his birth and embarking on his public ministry at age 30. Pick one day to spend together doing family activities all day, such as games, family prayer, outdoor fun, a movie night, or whatever activity your family loves best! Check out the Archdiocese of Dubuque website for more family prayer resources!

February is Black History Month
To learn about racism awareness and the civil rights movement, as well as pastoral statements and prayers addressing racial justice, check out the Resources for Ministry with Catholics of African Descent and other resources for Combatting Racism pages found on the USCCB website.

February 2 – Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord creates a fitting transition from Christmas to Easter. The small Christ-Child is still in His Mother's arms, but already she is offering Him in sacrifice.

• Have a meal and some prayer time by candlelight and talk about ideas for how each family member can give more of themselves to God. For young children, ask what they can do to make God happy.
• Light a Prayer Candle
• Say the “Presentation of Our Lord” decade of the rosary. 

February 11 - World Day of the Sick and National Shut-in Visitation Day

• World Day of the Sick is observed by offering prayers for those suffering from illnesses. This day coincides with the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes, and is a great opportunity for us to pray for the sick, and for those who care for them.
• National Shut-In Visitation Day is also observed on February 11. Although visiting might not be possible because of the pandemic, if you have a friend, relative, or neighbor who is homebound, take a few moments out of your day to call and say hi and brighten that person’s whole day.

February 13 - World Marriage Day
Sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, World Marriage Day is designated as “a day to honor the husband and wife as the head of the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life” (World Marriage Day Purpose Statement).

February 14 - Valentine's Day

• Learn about the real St. Valentine.
• Make heart-shaped snacks and deliver them to elderly neighbors or family members, especially ones that might not get a lot of visitors.
• Make Valentine crafts or send Scripture-based Valentines this year.
• Plan a budget-friendly date night with your spouse.

February 22 - Feast Day of the Chair of St. Peter
This is a day set aside to pray for Pope Francis, past popes, and future popes.
Enjoy Pope Francis activities and printables with your family.

Winter Activity Ideas
Winter Activities for Catholic Families
February Activities for Catholic Families

February 5 - St. Agatha 
St. Agatha suffered sexual assault and indignity because of her faith and purity. She is the patron of survivors of sexual assault, and the protector of women who are in danger.

February 6 - St. Paul Miki and Companions
St. Paul Miki and his friends were Japanese missionaries who died for their faith. Because of their efforts, Christianity spread throughout the Far East. Learn more  here.
 
February 8 - St. Josephine Bakhita 
Pray with St. Josephine for the safety and strength for Christians living in parts of the world where it is not safe to be a Christian. Learn more about St. Josephine Bakhita here.


February 10 - St. Scholastica  
St. Scholastica and her twin brother, St. Benedict, gave themselves totally to God, sacrificing even their time together as a family in order to fulfill their religious vocations.

February 11 - Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady has appeared to many people throughout history, including a fourteen-year-old girl named Bernadette in Lourdes, France.

• Ten Things to Know about Our Lady of Lourdes
• Plan a grotto-themed craft or snack to honor Our Lady of Lourdes

February 21 - St. Peter Damian
Known for his acts of virtue and conversion of people, St. Peter Damien was a stern figure who devoted much time to studying Scripture and literature. Learn more here.

February 23 - St. Polycarp
St. Polycarp was a disciple of St John the Apostle, and friend of St. Ignatius. He is recognized as a Christian leader in Asia. Click here to learn more about St. Polycarp. 

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. 

• 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!
• A Prayer for the Meeting of Families (June 22-26, 2022)

  Website Highlight   

Witness to Love
https://witnesstolove.org

Witness to Love’s mission is to build and sustain communities of Evangelizing Spouses to Be Light in our world. They believe in building communities that connect couples to Christ and the Church, and not just creating content. This marriage movement offers resources such as a virtual date night series, Be Light: a series for marriage enrichment small groups, fertility awareness resources, formation for engaged couples preparing for marriage, and much more.

Marriage Matters

National Marriage Week
February 7-14, 2022

In February, the Catholic Church in the United States partners with other organizations to celebrate National Marriage Week, "an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family." This year's theme is "Called to the Joy of Love." The U.S. bishops Secretariat on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth offers several resources "to help celebrate and live the great gift of married life." Click on the link above to learn more. Check out Resources and a Marriage Prayer from Catholic Current (USCCB)! Join your spouse for a Seven-Day Virtual Marriage Retreat. Additional information can be found here. For recommended marriage resources from the Archdiocese of Dubuque, click here.
 

Book of the Month

Teeny Tiny Theology Series

• Purchase the books here.
• These books are available for sign-out from the Education Resource Center:
       Sacred Scripture (BK# 200118)
       Salvation History (BK# 200119)
       The Trinity (BK# 200120)
       Christology (BK# 200117)

Movie Pick
Christmas with the Chosen: The Messengers

The Chosen has created a special episode about the birth of Christ through the eyes of Mary and Joseph. 
“Born that men no more may die.” The birth of Christ is the single greatest moment in human history, when God became one of us in the most surprising way imaginable. Humble. And He did it as an act of rescue, which makes the circumstances even more amazing. Those circumstances are what is captured in this episode. From the heat and exhaustion of the long journey to Bethlehem to the pile of manure Joseph may have had to shovel away to prepare Mary’s “bed.” 

• Stream the Christmas with the Chosen: The Messengers episode here.
• Watch the episode trailer by clicking here.

Interest in Pinterest

Check out these February Pinterest topics focused on the family - the Domestic Church!

• Marriage Enrichment for the Domestic Church
• Saints: Our Lady of Fatima
• Saint Valentine

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 
Join women in your parish/cluster 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 26^th 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 and registration, please visit www.archmensconference.org.