Ways to Live the Catholic Faith in Your Family
Archdiocese of Dubuque Family Prayer Resources Web Page
Back to School
September 1 - World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
September 6 - Labor Day
- Say "Thank You" to someone who works hard for your family, parish, or community.
- A Prayer for Labor Day
September 8 - Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 11 - 20th Anniversary of 9-11-2001
September 12 - National Grandparents Day
- Take the opportunity to reach out to the grandparents in your family, maybe through a phone or video call, or through sending them a special note.
- Models, Mentors, and Memory-Makers: An article written by Deacon Gary
and Kay Aitchison from Ames, IA
- Grandparent ministry resources can be found here.
 September 14 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 19 - Catechetical Sunday
"Say the Word and My Soul Shall be Healed."
- Learn about this day set aside to reflect on the role that catechists play, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being witnesses to the Gospel.
September 22 - Autumn Begins
- Make autumn yard work a family event, or go for a family walk and enjoy the cool, crisp air.
September 26 - Priesthood Sunday
Priesthood Sunday is a special day to honor priesthood in the United States. Find ways for your family to show their appreciation for your parish priest. Click here for information about Priesthood Sunday.
September 27 - National Family Day
Family Day is celebrated the fourth Monday of September.
Celebrate families and the stories we share from generation to generation—especially around the dinner table—by introducing a fun question to spark creative conversations.
After dinner on Family Day, try reading a family book together.
|
|
|
September 5 – St. Teresa of Calcutta
 St. Teresa saw people through God’s loving eyes. She chose to live her life in service to the poor, the suffering and dying, and those who longed for a kind word or a gentle touch. Learn more about her life here.
September 17 – St. Robert Bellarmine
Learn more here about this patron saint of catechists.
September 21 – St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
Learn more here.
September 27 – St. Vincent de Paul
 Look around your room, house, or pantry for items to donate to the needy.
Learn more here.
|
|
September 28 – St. Wenceslaus
Be a peacemaker in your family or your school. Do something nice for someone that you sometimes argue with. Learn more about the feast of St. Wenceslaus here.
September 29 – Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels
September 30 – St. Jerome
St. Jerome translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into Latin. Spend some extra time reading Scripture together as a family. Learn more here.
10 Saints Every Student Needs for Going Back to School
|
|
Year of St. Joseph
On the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of St. Joseph as "Patron of the Universal Church," Pope Francis has proclaimed a "Year of St. Joseph," with his apostolic letter Patris Corde ("With a Father's Heart"). During this year, the pope invites us to:
* increase our love for St. Joseph.
* implore his intercession.
* imitate his virtues and zeal.
Click here for resources from the Archdiocese of Dubuque.
Additional resources can be found here:
United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): Prayers, Videos, Consecration to St. Joseph
Loyola Press: Prayers, activities, reflections, and more!
Our Sunday Visitor: "The Year of St. Joseph" |
|
Year of the Amoris Laetitia Family
March 19, 2021 (the Feast of St. Joseph) marked the five-year anniversary of the release of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on Marriage and Family Life entitled Amoris Laetitia (“The Joy of Love”). To celebrate this anniversary, 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! |
|
Website Highlight
 National Grandparent Day is on Sunday, September 12th. Pope Francis once said, "How important grandparents are for family life, for passing on the human and religious heritage which is so essential for each and every society!" For resources for grandparents, please visit the Archdiocese's Grandparent Ministry webpage: www.dbqarch.org/grandparenting.
|
|
Book of the Month
Around the Year with the Von Trapp Family
by Maria Augusta von Trapp
 Celebrate the Catholic feasts and seasons with the von Trapp Family!
In this joyful and charming book, Maria Von Trapp (from The Sound of Music) unveils for you the year-round Christian traditions she loved --- traditions that created a warm and inviting Catholic home for her large family, and will do the same for yours.
The book includes the songs they sang for feasts and holidays, as well as Maria's personal recipes for traditional holiday foods. Here are stories and games to delight your children, and countless other ways to turn events such as anniversaries, baptisms, graduations, birthdays, wedding receptions, and even funerals into feasts celebrated in the Lord.
As a Catholic wife and mother, Maria gave herself unreservedly to strengthening the faith of her Catholic family by observing in her home the many feasts of the Church's liturgical year, with poems and prayers, food and fun, and so much more! With the help of Maria Von Trapp, your home will be a warm and loving place, an earthly reflection of our eternal home. (amazon.com)
- Purchase this book here.
- This book is available for sign-out from the Education Resource Center (#BK 213103)
|
|
Movie Pick
Different Drummers
Based on an inspiring true story, Different Drummers follows the heartwarming yet unlikely friendship of two boys growing up in Washington in the 1960s. When David, who is bound to a wheelchair and growing weaker from muscular dystrophy, accurately foretells the death of his fourth grade teacher, a doubtful Lyle, who has an increasingly high energy level, decides to test the existence of God by attempting to get David to run again. A pact is made, and Lyle soon begins to twist the rules in a desperate attempt to give his friend some of his own excess energy. Along the way, the two boys come face to face with life’s most painful truths, and Lyle’s question is ultimately answered in a way he never could have imagined. (amazon.com)
- This movie is available to sign out from the Education Resource Center (#DV 31516).
- Watch the movie trailer here.
- Download a Discussion Guide.
- Purchase a DVD of this movie here.
|
|
Interest in Pinterest
September Pinterest Highlights for Families
from the Archdiocesan Education Resource Center: www.pinterest.com/dbqarch
Check out these September Pinterest topics focused on the family - the Domestic Church!
|
|
|
All Are Welcome
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
 September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic. We use this month to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention. Click here for informational, crisis, and awareness resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.
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 Prayer for the New School Year
Gracious God,
as the summer begins to fade,
new possibilities lie on the horizon.
Bless all of those who are beginning
or returning to their roles
as teachers and catechists,
as well as those who lead and support them
in their efforts.
May this school year be a time
of grace and potential
as they teach, share, and challenge others
to grow in faith, knowledge and wisdom.
Bless children and youth,
along with their parents,
as they begin a new school year.
May their minds be open to learning
and to the wonder of discovery and insight.
Be with us all as we embark on this new year.
Amen.
http://www.sadlier.com/religion/we-believe-and-share/prayer-for-new-school-year-prayer-cards
Additional Prayers for families as children go back to school:
|
|
Archdiocese of Dubuque
Marriage & Family Life Office
1229 Mt. Loretta Ave.
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 556-2580, x233
www.dbqarch.org/family-life
|
|
|
|
|
|
