Ways to Live the Catholic Faith in Your Family
Archdiocese of Dubuque Family Prayer Resources Web Page
 Celebrating the Easter Season
May is the Month of Mary
For more than 300 years, Catholics have designated May to be the month of Mary, a special time to honor the mother of Jesus for her gift to the world. The tradition developed out of customs dating back to medieval times, when May was a time of devotions in honor of the cross and the new life it brings. Read more about celebrating Mary during the month of May.
Resources and Ideas for Honoring Mary: 
May 8 - World Day of Prayer for Vocations
|
|
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:
|
|
Website Highlight
  This YouTube video series, created by the Pro Ecclesia Sancta community is a nice resource for parents. The videos are short and geared towards younger kids, from pre-K through grade school age. The playlist includes videos about the Easter season, as well as saints, prayer tips, family crafts, gospel stories, and a new series on the Eucharist!
|
|
Marriage Matters
Eight Simple Ways to Make Your Marriage Great
by Dr. Greg Popcak
 Every couple has areas they are best at and areas they could improve in. Research on successful couples shows that whether your relationship is frustrating, fantastic, or somewhere in-between, every couple can create a more fulfilling marriage by practicing eight simple habits. These eight habits include: Rituals of Connection; Emotional Rapport and Benevolence; Self-Regulation; A Positive Intention Frame; Caretaking in Conflict; Mutual Respect, Accountability, and Boundaries; Reviewing and Learning from Mistakes; and Seeking Healthy Support. Click on the link above to learn how you can use Dr. Greg Popcak's "Eight Simple Ways to Make Your Marriage Great" to strengthen your marriage! |
|
Parenting Pointers
Praying a Family Rosary
CatholicLink.org offers the following tips for praying the rosary as a family during this Month of Mary:
- Start small (baby steps for babies).
- Make the rosary interactive.
- Schedule prayer time.
- Keep it interesting.
- It's okay to LISTEN to the rosary.
- Remember why you are praying.
- Be the example for your kids.
Click HERE for a visual step-by-step guide to praying a family rosary, and watch a video HERE.
|
|
Book of the Month
Having Meaningful (Sometimes Difficult) Conversations
with your Adult Sons & Daughters
by Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak
 Every parent dreams of having wonderful relationships with their adult children, but when our children make choices that we believe are not in their best interest, how do we talk to them about those concerns? And how do we know when to speak and when to keep quiet? Using real-life examples of conversations, the Popcaks offer vital guidance that will give you the confidence and ability to have meaningful conversations on a variety of topics, including forgiveness, choices, emotions, and so much more. Whether you want to nurture already loving relationships with your adult children, or have experienced damage in your relationships, you can draw closer to them and help guide them on the path to more faithful and fulfilling lives.
- Purchase this book here.
- This book is available for sign-out from the Education Resource Center (BK# 241437)
|
|
Movie Pick
A Letter to Dad
 Dan Donahue has finally met the woman of his dreams, but on the night he is going to propose, he is overcome by a deep-rooted anger caused by his father who abandoned him as a boy. Dan confronts his feelings of bitterness head on, as he pours out his heart in a letter to his father. As Dan writes, his life is unfolded, revealing his pain and ultimate joy, as he grows from a young, troubled teen into a strong, spiritual man. In the end, Dan's father must face his own failures as a father in a climactic one-on-one meeting with the son he left behind. Based on a true story, A Letter to Dad is the touching story of how faith and love overcome a lifetime of pain and anger.
- Watch the movie trailer by clicking here.
- Purchase a DVD of this movie here.
- This movie is available for sign-out from the Education Resource Center: DV# 30655.
|
|
Interest in Pinterest
April Pinterest Highlights for Families
from the Archdiocesan Education Resource Center: www.pinterest.com/dbqarch
Check out these April Pinterest topics focused on the family - the Domestic Church!
|
|
|
Embracing Inclusion
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
It is essential for all of us to welcome persons with mental illness by reaching out to them and their family members. Following are things that your family and all members of the community of faith can do to give hope to those who live with mental illness:
- Prayer: We show our care and support through prayers that include the concerns of persons with mental illness, their families and those who care for them. Prayer resources for Mental Health Month are available here.
- Bring Awareness: Many of your friends, family members, and co-workers will have a form of mental illness at some time in their lives. Check out the newest resources from the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) regarding mental illness.
Nominate Your Parish/School for the Inclusion Award
 The Embracing Inclusion Award is presented to a Parish, Catholic school, Catholic college or organization in the Archdiocese of Dubuque which advocates for inclusivity of persons with disabilities. Awards will be given for: 1) Best Program or Project for fuller inclusive participation in the life of the Catholic faithful, and 2) Best Improvement to Property providing greater accessibility. The awards will be presented to the pastor or a representative in the parish, school, college, or organization receiving the award.
The nomination form can be found HERE. Nominations will be accepted through August 1.
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.
|
|
Prayers and Reflections
A Blessing for Mother's Day
Father, we give you thanks for the many gifts you have given us;
the gift of life, the gift of those who love us.
We thank you today for the gift of our mothers.
We give thanks for our mothers who have died
and for the unique way they have revealed for us your love.
We ask that you bless them and keep them in your care
until the time comes for us to join them in your Kingdom.
We ask your blessing upon the mothers
who are unable to be with us here today.
May they know how much we love and care for them.
We pray for birth mothers who have loved their children so much
they have shared the gift of their child with those who could
better care for them and their needs, and give them a secure home.
And we pray for adoptive mothers, that they may always know
their special role of being a true mother,
a revelation of God’s love for their children.
We ask your blessing upon mothers who have lost children
through stillbirth, crib death, accident and tragedy, war and violence
that they may have your continuing strength and courage.
We ask your blessing too, upon those who would very much
like to be mothers but who are having trouble having a child.
We ask your blessing upon all mothers and mother-figures in our lives.
Give them the strength to live the
faithful and loving lives you call them to live.
Protect and guide them. Keep them in your care.
We ask this blessing in the name of Jesus, our Lord.
Amen.
http://www.stthomasmoresrq.org/a-blessing-for-mothers-day/
|
|
Archdiocese of Dubuque
Marriage & Family Life Office
1229 Mt. Loretta Ave.
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 556-2580, x233
www.dbqarch.org/family-life
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 30 - 
May 1 – 
May 15 – 
atron of persons with mental illness 
Virtual 
