Ways to Live the Catholic Faith in Your Family
Archdiocese of Dubuque Family Prayer Resources Web Page
July 4 - Independence Day
July 24 - World Day for Grandparents and Elderly
 Pope Francis announced the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to be celebrated on Sunday, July 24, 2022. The day is celebrated every year on the fourth Sunday of July to coincide with the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents. The theme for this year's celebration will be "In old age they will still bear fruit" (Psalm 92:15). Learn more here. Read more about this special day on the USCCB website. Grandparenting resources from the Archdiocese of Dubuque can be found here.
 July 24 - 30, 2022 - Natural Family Planning Awareness Week
This year's theme is: "Called to the Joy of Love."
The dates of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week highlight the anniversary of the papal encyclical Humanae Vitae (July 25) which articulates Catholic beliefs about human sexuality, conjugal love, and responsible parenthood.
Summer Kits for Catholic Families
Summer is the perfect opportunity for families to build and share faith. Sadlier Religion offers free summer kits, providing many ways for your family to make it a faith-filled summer, including:
- Practical yet meaningful ways to put the Year Amoris Laetitia into practice
- Sessions to talk about faith and ways to live it out
- Prayers for every summer occasion, including everyday moments
- Simple activities and inspiring stories to build discipleship and cultivate gratitude
Family and Faith Summer Kit
Bring your family together to talk about and live out your Catholic faith during eight sessions that integrate saints, Catholic identity, missionary discipleship, and prayer. Available in both English and Spanish.
Eucharist Family Kit
Worship well as a family, and actively participate in Mass together.
Available in both English and Spanish.
Summer Prayer Kit
Discover family prayers for every summer occasion—from everyday moments to seasonal holidays.
Available in both English and Spanish.
Family Faith Summer Kit
Share simple activities, prayers, and stories that reflect the joy of summer, cultivate gratitude, and inspire discipleship. Available in both English and Spanish.
July and Summertime Ideas for Families:
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Parenting Pointers
CatholicHOM: Households on Mission
"A Catholic Revival Starts in the CatholicHOM"
https://catholichom.com/
 This first-ever comprehensive digital platform, created by Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak in collaboration with the Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life, is dedicated to helping Catholic families encounter Christ more meaningfully at home and draw closer to each other by living the Liturgy of Domestic Church Life. CatholicHOM focuses on three universal building blocks of healthy family functioning.
The app features downloadable resources, video interviews, and recorded talks on the Liturgy of Domestic Church Life, as well as podcasts, quizzes, and discussions to help Catholics address basic questions and concerns about their faith.
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Marriage Matters
How to Stay in Love with Your Spouse
 In the video below, Dr. Edward Sri and his wife Beth share their wisdom about how to stay in love with your spouse, long after the honeymoon has faded and the real work begins. Additional videos with the Sri's talking about aspects of marriage are available from Ascension Presents by clicking here.
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Website Highlight
Infertility Resources
Archdiocese of Dubuque
 Infertility is a difficult road to walk. As challenging as it is for couples who face infertility, thankfully there are resources and support to help ease the burden and find help and guidance. Check out many Catholic resources available for couples experiencing infertility on this new Archdiocese webpage that includes recommended websites, documents, books, prayers, videos, and more. You are not alone. Please reach out to Matt Selby if you would like to talk further about infertility, the Church's teachings on Reproductive Technologies (like IVF), and/or how to find help and support.
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Book of the Month
The Infertility Companion for Catholics:
Spiritual and Practical Support for Couples
by Angelique Ruhi-Lopez and Carmen Santamaria
One in every six United States couples experiences infertility but Catholic couples face additional confusion, worry, and frustration as they explore the medical options available to them. This book provides insights into the medical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of infertility, but also the particular needs of Catholic couples who desire to understand and follow Church teaching on the use of assisted reproductive technology. The Infertility Companion for Catholics presents a variety of spiritual resources including prayers, devotions, and the wisdom of the saints and provides suggestions for further reading of reference materials, Catholic documents, and Catholic blogs about infertility.
Authors Angelique Ruhi-López and Carmen Santamaría describe the options that Catholic couples can pursue in seeking to conceive, many of which are not ordinarily presented by the medical community. In an encouraging and non-judgmental tone, they address both husbands and wives, and help them recognize the emotional impact of infertility on their relationship.
- Purchase this book here.
- This book is available for sign-out from the Education Resource Center (BK# 241350)
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Movie Pick
American Underdog
 American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centers on Warner’s unique story and years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player – but just when his dreams seemed all but out of reach, it is only with the support of his wife, Brenda, and the encouragement of his family, coaches, and teammates that Warner perseveres and finds the strength to show the world the champion that he already is. American Underdog is an uplifting story that demonstrates that anything is possible when you have faith, family and determination.
- Watch the movie trailer by clicking here.
- Purchase a DVD of this movie here.
- A variety of discussion guides are available here.
- This movie is available for sign-out from the Education Resource Center: DV# 31756
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Interest in Pinterest
July Pinterest Highlights for Families
from the Archdiocesan Education Resource Center: www.pinterest.com/dbqarch
Check out these July Pinterest topics focused on the family - the Domestic Church!
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Embracing Inclusion
Make Summer Fun and Engaging!
Summertime brings special time for family and fun. For families with special needs, summertime can be filled with change and anxiety. Children and youth with special needs will find it much easier to enjoy the summer if you make them part of the planning.
- Creating a summer schedule with structured activities can help the whole family reduce anxiety and set expectations. Try incorporating these helpful hints into your summertime plans:
- Keep a routine by blocking off time in segments.
- Include an activity that doesn't have a set "finished time."
- Include quiet time and time for conversation.
- At the end of the day, review the great memories you've made, and set a schedule for the next day.
- Coming up with activities to fill a day can be the challenging part, so check out some fun summertime things to do with your family here.
May the summer offer fun and relaxing moments for your family!
Nominate Your Parish/School for the Embracing 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. Two awards will be presented 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.
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Prayers and Reflections
A Prayer for Summer
Creator of all,
we thank You for summer!
Thank You for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight.
Thank You for the beauty we see all around us,
and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.
Thank You for the increased time we have
to be with our family and our friends,
and for the more casual pace of the summer season.
Draw us closer to You this summer.
Teach us how we can pray
no matter where we are, or what we are doing.
Warm our souls with the awareness of Your presence,
and light our path with Your Word and Counsel.
As we enjoy Your creation,
create in us pure hearts
and a hunger and a thirst for You.
Amen.
~ Author unknown
 http://stmarymora.org/WHPS166_Summer_Prayers.pdf
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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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