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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Ways to Learn and Live the Faith
as a Catholic Family
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 journey.
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!
Ten February Activities for Catholic Families
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 Ministry Resources for Black Catholics found on the USCCB website.
February 2 – Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, or Candlemas, 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.
- If you’re at mass, consider having a candle blessed today that you could use at your home for special occasions.
- Have a meal and some prayer time by candlelight.
- 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 today.
February 4 – Super Bowl Sunday
 This great American sporting event is popular not only for the game itself, but for the television commercials played in between. In 2017, Pope Francis released his own Super Bowl commercial, for peace. Think about the ways your family might watch the game in a spirit of “peace, friendship and solidarity to the world.”
February 11 - World Marriage Day: Love One Another
Sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, World Marriage Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in February. It 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).
This year the Iowa/LaCrosse Area of Worldwide Marriage Encounter is hosting a special Mass for all married couples at Sacred Heart Parish in Waterloo, Iowa. It will be a 2 PM Mass with a reception to follow. Sacred Heart Parish is located at 627 West 4th Street. Married couples of any faith are invited to attend. For more information, please call 563-608-3305 or email info@iowa-wwme.org
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 those what are sick, and for those who care for them.
- "Sit With Me" Rosary CD set: The Office of Marriage and Family Life offers this resource to those who reach out to the homebound, sick, and dying.
- National Shut-In Visitation Day is also observed on February 11. Due to physical, mental, or emotional circumstances, some people are unable to leave their homes. These conditions cause loneliness, isolation and sadness to shut-ins who may not have family or friends available to visit and spend time with them. If you have a friend or neighbor who is homebound, stop by and say hi. It will only take a few moments out of your day, but will certainly brighten that person’s whole day.
February 14 - Valentine's Day
Observing the Lenten Season
 Lent is a great season to share the importance of prayer, fasting and stewardship with our children. Consider as a family how you might help others in need by giving of your time, talents and treasure. Even the youngest family members can understand and will enjoy participating in Lenten practices.
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Marriage Matters
Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love:
Practical Insights from John Paul II's
Love and Responsibility
Fr. Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) published Love and Responsibility in 1960, revealing a fully formed philosophy of marriage—in which full union can only be achieved when each partner prioritizes the well-being and self-realization of the other. His analysis of the true meaning of human love is life changing and practical, shedding light on real issues between men and women.
In Men, Women and the Mystery of Love, Dr. Edward Sri unpacks the contents of this great work, making it accessible to every reader.
Study questions with each chapter make this a valuable resource not only for individual personal reading, but also for small group study.
(From https://ascensionpress.com/shop/products/men-women-and-the-mystery-of-love-1)
For more information and to purchase the book, click here.
This book is available for sign-out from the Education Resource Center: BK #241394.
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Saints of the Month
February 3 - St. Blaise 
- Go to Mass today and have your family’s throats blessed.
- Learn more about St. Blaise here.
February 5 - St. Agatha
February 6 - St. Paul Miki and Companions
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
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.
February 23 - St. Polycarp
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Website Spotlight
The mission of Peanut Butter & Grace is “to help Catholic parents raise children to be saints—that is, people who love Christ and his Church and take action to continue Christ’s mission in the world today.”
 They do this by providing digital and print resources that assist parents in forming their children in the faith within the daily life of their family. The purpose of Peanut Butter & Grace is to show parents “how to teach their kids the faith in the midst of everyday family life; and to provide them with easy-to-use, on-the-go resources that make it easy to do that. Their brand name, Peanut Butter & Grace, reflects that spirit, because they “want to make family faith formation as simple as making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.” (from www.pbgrace.com) |
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There's An App For That!
The Bible App for Kids
Available now for iPhone and Android smartphones and tablets, the Bible App for Kids is always completely free! Through interactive adventures and beautiful animations, kids explore the big stories of the Bible. The Bible App for Kids is a delight-filled experience designed to encourage kids to return again and again. It’s the beginning of a lifelong love of God’s Word.
Special features include: 
- Easy, kid-friendly navigation
- Bible stories
- Colorful illustrations
- Touch-activated animations
- Engaging, interactive content that brings the
Bible to life
- Fun facts and activities designed to help kids remember what they learn
- Special challenges that let kids earn rewards (From www.bible.com/kids)
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Interest in Pinterest
February Pinterest Highlights for Families
from the Education Resource Center, Archdiocese of Dubuque
www.pinterest.com/dbqarch
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Book of the Month
 The Catholic Home:
Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays,
Feast Days and Every Day
by Meredith Gould
Using the liturgical calendar, The Catholic Home provides familiar and new ways to celebrate each season and its special days. Gould reviews major holy days, select saints’ days, familiar prayers, and suggests meaningful ways to prepare as a family for such sacraments as Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, and Matrimony.
(from www.amazon.com)
For more information and to purchase the book, click here.
This book is available for sign-out from the Education Resource Center: BK #213097
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Family Movie Night
 Check out this month's movie pick:
Brother Francis videos
The combination of sound Catholic teaching and high quality animation makes Brother Francis an excellent resource for parochial schools, RE classes and home schooling. Geared to viewers 8 and younger, Brother Francis will keep the kids entertained while learning about the Catholic faith. Thirteen episodes (each about 30 minutes long) are currently available. Learn more and view the episode topics here. Purchase the DVDs here. View the episodes on Youtube here.
These DVDs are available for sign-out from the Education Resource Center. For more information, contact the ERC at 563-556-2580, ext. 214, or email dbqcmed1@dbqarch.org.
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Prayers and Reflections
The Holy Family Prayer
Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary,
bless our family.
Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love
that you found in you own family
in the little town of Nazareth.
Mary, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother,
nourish our family with your faith
and your love.
Keep us close to your Son, Jesus,
in all our sorrows and joys.
Joseph, Foster-father to Jesus,
guardian and spouse of Mary,
keep our family safe from harm.
Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
make our family one with you.
Help us to be instruments of peace.
Grant that love, strengthened by grace,
may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials
through with our families sometimes pass.
May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes
until we are all one family,
happy and at peace in our true home with you.
Amen.
From: http://msf-america.org/holy-family-prayers/prayers-devoted-to-the-holy-family/the-holy-family-prayer
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All Are Welcome
Celebrating Diversity
When we each do our part--parent, family, parish, school--we come to recognize the dignity of people and to appreciate the gifts and presence each person brings to the Body of Christ. This video, "Catechesis and Persons with Disabilities: A Necessary Engagement in the Life of the Church," shows the importance of inclusion in the everyday life of the Church. May we all join together in celebrating the richness in our diversity!
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Upcoming Events
 The Archdiocesan Women’s Conference “Beauty in Christ” will be held on January 27, 2018 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel/Convention Complex in Cedar Rapids, and is sponsored by the Dubuque Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW). Featured speakers will include author and musician Emily Wilson, and inspirational spiritual motivator and radio host Judy Hehr. Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Michael Jackels. Space is limited. Registration is required. For more information and to register online, visit the Women’s Conference website.
Sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, World Marriage Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in February and 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).
The Iowa/LaCrosse Area of Worldwide Marriage Encounter is hosting a special Mass with a reception following for all married couples at Sacred Heart Parish in Waterloo, Iowa on Sunday, February 11th at 2:00 PM. Married couples of any faith are invited to attend. For more information, please call 563-608-3305 or email info@iowa-wwme.org
Spring Retreat Weekend for Adults with Varied Abilities
The Spring Retreat will be held April 14-15, 2018, at Camp Albrecht Acres in Sherrill, IA. For information and registration, contact Jim Betzner at dbqcffpc@dbqarch.org, or call 563-556-2580, ext. 286.
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