Copy
A REMINDER...
We recommend that you click on 
"Click here to view the entire email in your browser"
(at the top of this email newsletter), so you don't miss any information!

Archdiocese of Dubuque Family Prayer Resources Web Page

Observing the Lenten Season
Check out the many online resources available to help your family have a holy Lenten season!

March 19 – St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
As the head and protector of the Holy Family and a humble carpenter, St. Joseph is the perfect role model for men as a father, husband, and worker. He is the patron saint of workers, families, homes, and a happy death. Honor St. Joseph in your home, begin a new family tradition, plan a special meal for St. Joseph's Day (March 19), and join together in prayer to St. Joseph.


March 25 - Annunciation of the Lord 
The Feast of the Annunciation focuses on the Incarnation: God became man.

February 20 - Mardi Gras
'Mardi Gras' is French for "Fat Tuesday." It is the day before Ash Wednesday and the forty days of Lent. Join as a family to pray this Mardi Gras Prayer. Watch this video to learn how Mardi Gras is a Church tradition! Learn more about Mardi Gras here


March 8-14 - Catholic Sisters Week
Catholic Sisters Week shines a light on the spirituality, mission, and community building of women religious. Women religious stand with the poor and immigrants, teach children, fight injustice, heal the sick, share spirituality, empower women, defend the plant, promote peace, create community, offer hope, and so much more! Learn more about Catholic Sisters Week here. To learn about congregations of women religious in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, click here.

March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick is one of the world's most popular saints. He preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years, worked many miracles, wrote of his love for God, and lived in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with these quotes, Irish recipes, and Catholic prayers.

March 20 - Spring Begins! - The Springtime of Lent: Action and New Life
The liturgical season of Lent coincides with Spring, calling to mind the new life and growth, the hope and change that should characterize this time of prayer, penance, and conversion. Share a family Spring Prayer, and reflect on how sowing seeds of Lenten discipline can lead to spiritual blooming in the Springtime.
MAKE SPACE FOR JESUS
 
Make Space for Jesus: Learning About Lent and Easter teaches little children about Jesus' way of compassion, welcome, and generosity, and suggests little ways to make room in our hearts for others, like smiling and saying hello. A great resource to lead children ages 1-5 into the Lent and Easter season, this reassuring little book makes it clear that sadness is not the end of the story, but gives way to joy and new life. Purchase the book HERE, or contact your parish to borrow the book from Archdiocese of Dubuque Faith Formation Resources (BK #263026). 
KID-INSPIRED WAYS TO PRAY THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS

During Lent, the tradition of praying the Stations of the Cross on Fridays is a way for Catholics to slow down and focus on the Passion of Christ. It is especially wonderful to gather as a parish family to pray the Stations of the Cross in the Church. Clara, from Holy Heroes, shares the many ways families can take advantage of this practice at home. Click HERE to discover ten ways to pray the Stations of the Cross with your kids!
RAISING KIDS WHO WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Raising kids to be socially conscious and embrace strong values can be difficult in today's world. In Raising Kids Who Will Make a Difference, mother, counselor, and family-life educator Susan Vogt sets out to inspire, equip, and comfort parents in the awesome task of raising Catholic kids who will make positive contributions to our world. Using a delightful blend of honesty and humor, Vogt offers successful parenting strategies and straightforward discussions on important issues such as sexuality, substance abuse, materialism, racism, global awareness, and death. Click HERE to read more of Susan Vogt's Parenting Pointers and for additional resources!
EXPLORING LENT AS A FAMILY

The focus of our Lenten journey is almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Throughout the forty days, we follow Jesus into the desert wilderness, experiencing temptation, and becoming weary with hunger. We are encouraged to do acts of charity, to pray together as a family, to attend Mass, eat no meat on Fridays, and give to the poor. We are encouraged to sacrifice something in order to draw nearer to God. In THIS ARTICLE from  Domestic-Church.com, Mary Ellen Vice offers activities and ideas to observe Lent as a family.
STAGES OF MARRIAGE

Marriage experts at ForYourMarriage.org share that all healthy marriages experience change and transition. This is necessary to keep marriage alive and growing. Some of the stages are predictable and others are not. Not all marriages fit neatly into the suggested cycles of growth, but certain developmental transitions generally take place during each stage. However you describe it, marriage is a process and it evolves. Click HERE to understand the various stages of marriage so that you and your spouse might transition through your marriage in a healthy and happy way.
FAMILY GAME TIME

The Catholic Card Game is both fun and faithful, with all its content coming from the deep wells of the Catholic Faith, Tradition, and community. It's a great game to play with 3-10+ of your Catholic (and non-Catholic!) friends and family of all ages. The game includes 400 fill-in-the-blank cards so it's different each time you play. Review comments: "So much family fun...even the younger grandkids can join in." "Most pleased that with my grandchildren, the game went well! A really fun and hopeful way to engage families in laughs, information, and community!" To learn more and purchase the game, click HERE. Or contact your parish to borrow the game from Archdiocese of Dubuque Faith Formation Resources (GM #04216). 
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March is Disability Awareness Month. Disability Inclusion Ministry in the Archdiocese of Dubuque provides valuable educational resources and support to help parishes in assisting persons with disabilities in all aspects of parish life. Contact Lynne Chapman to learn more.

Parent-to-Parent / Peer-to-Peer: Share the Special Journey
Opportunities are available for parents, family members, and friends of persons with special needs to provide guidance and support through the maze of emotional, health, educational and transitional times. If interested, please contact Deacon Steve MacDonald (stevekathymac@gmail.com), Spiritual Director for Disability Inclusion Ministries and parent of a child with special needs.

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.

March Pinterest Highlights for Families
From the Archdiocese of Dubuque Pinterest Boards: 
www.pinterest.com/dbqarch

Check out these March Pinterest topics focused on the family - the Domestic Church!
Lent: Practicing Corporal / Spiritual Works of Mercy

The Lenten season can be the perfect reminder for us to practice works of mercy, especially in ministry to the poor, the elderly, and the disabled. As we think about prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, Lent can be for us a journey of mercy.
Women's Event: Say Yes! and Walk with Mary to the Cross
Friday, March 24, 2023     6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Join women from all walks of life as they Say Yes! and Walk with Mary to the Cross. Please join us on the eve of the Feast of the Annunciation for this fantastic offering for women from across the Archdiocese of Dubuque! This social event and presentation will help us grow closer to Jesus and His Blessed Mother! Cost for the event is $25. Refreshments will be served. For more information and registration, please visit https://dbqarch.org/say-yes-womens-event

2023 Archdiocese of Dubuque Men's Conference
Saturday, March 25, 2023     9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
You’re invited to the 27th Annual Archdiocese of Dubuque Men’s Conference on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids (with live-stream available)! This conference will be held on the Solemnity of the Annunciation and will focus on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our lives. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Edward Sri, a world-renowned author and speaker, and co-founder of FOCUS (the Fellowship of Catholic University Students). The day will also include Mass celebrated by Archbishop Michael Jackels and breakout sessions presented by local speakers. For more information and registration, please visit www.archmensconference.org.

A Family Prayer for Lent

God of love and care,
We know that Jesus came to bring us closer to You and to one another.
May who we are, and what we give to others this Lent,
truly help to make the world a better place.

God of reconciliation,
During Lent, teach us to be true friends of one another, especially those who are in need.
Guide us in being generous and forgiving.
May we follow faithfully, speak courageously, and live joyfully
the Good News of Jesus Christ who brings peace to our world.

As we journey through the Lenten season, help us to let go of our personal wants and needs.
Help us to change our selfishness into generosity.
Turn our unkind words into gentle, thankful words. 
May our thoughts and actions reveal your love.

Help us to welcome others and be a source of life-giving energy.
May we follow, speak, and live the way of Jesus Christ,
as we look forward to the promise of the Resurrection.
We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.


For more Catholic Lenten Prayers, click here.
Upcoming Opportunities for Teaching the Faith

April 2 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
April 6-9 - Walking Through The Triduum
April 6 - Holy Thursday
April 7 - Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday)
April 8 - Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday)
April 9 - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
April 16 - Divine Mercy Sunday

April 22 - Earth Day
April 30 - World Day of Prayer for Vocations
PLEASE NOTE:
SAINTS OF THE MONTH can now be found on the Archdiocesan Website!
Click 
HERE for the home page.
(Each month is listed separately in the lefthand column.)

Click HERE for the MARCH Saints of the Month!
Check out the following online resources with prayers and reflections, blogs,
discussion groups, tools for parents and catechists, and more:

Loyola Press Family Resources
The Kids Bulletin for Sunday
Holy Cross Family Ministries
The Kennedy Adventures - Practical solutions for Catholic parents
CathFamily - Resource library for raising children in the Catholic Faith
Strong Catholic Family - resources and activities for Catholic families
Faith and Fabric - Activities for Catholic families
The Catholic Toolbox - ideas, inspiration and resources for catechists and parents
Teaching Catholic Kids from Our Sunday Visitor
Archdiocese of Dubuque
Children and Family Formation

1229 Mt. Loretta Ave.
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 556-2580, ext. 255

www.dbqarch.org/family-life


Faith Formation Resources
Kim Feldman
K.Feldman@dbqarch.org
Director of
Children and Family Formation

Joanne Pohland

J.Pohland@dbqarch.org


Faith Formation Communications Manager
Lynne Chapman

L.Chapman@dbqarch.org
Website
Website
Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
Pinterest
Pinterest
Instagram
Instagram
YouTube
YouTube
Copyright © 2023 Archdiocese of Dubuque, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Children and Family Formation
Archdiocese of Dubuque
1229 Mt. Loretta Ave
Dubuque, IA 52003

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
 






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Archdiocese of Dubuque · 1229 Mt. Loretta Avenue · Dubuque, IA 52003 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp