American Catholic Religious Parenting Report – This report, written by Christian Smith and Justin Bartkus (Notre Dame), examines what parents can do to optimize their chances of replicating their faith in their children, and how can clergy and pastoral professionals assist them.
Young Catholic America – the latest book based from the groundbreaking National Study of Youth and Religion explores a crucial stage in the life of Catholics. Drawing on in-depth surveys and interviews of Catholics and ex-Catholics ages 18 to 23–a demographic commonly known as early “emerging adulthood”–leading sociologist Christian Smith and his colleagues offer a wealth of insight into the wide variety of religious practices and beliefs among young Catholics today, the early influences and life-altering events that lead them to embrace the Church or abandon it, and how being Catholic affects them as they become full-fledged adults.
Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love): An Apostolic Exhortation on the Family by Pope Francis – a beautifully written pastoral document directed to both church leaders and parents. Developed over the course of two years of Synod gatherings, listening sessions and past and present papal letters and reflections.
Amoris Laetitia Webinar Series – The Strong Catholic Families National Partnership hosted several thousand ministry leaders, teachers, school leaders, parents and clergy together in 2016-17 for a four month webinar series focusing on the pastoral implementation of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on the family, Amoris Laetitia. Four Master Teachers presented video reflections on the themes below followed by live panels reacting to the content and discussing practical applications to various ministries. The links to all the recordings are archived here for you.
The Secrets of Happy Families– Best-selling author and New York Times family columnist Bruce Feiler found himself squeezed between aging parents and rising children. This book is the result of his three-year journey to find the smartest ideas, cutting-edge research, and novel solutions to make his family happier. Feiler then tested these ideas with his own wife and kids. The result is a fun, completely original look at how families can draw closer together, complete with 200 never-before-seen best practices.
How to Pray at Home
The Domestic Church – In the Catholic tradition, the family holds a special place- especially in the formation of faith — so important, in fact, that it is called “the domestic church.” This four minute video highlights the four components that make up the domestic church and invites parents to reflect on being the church in the world and what that might look like within their family. Reflection questions at the end are perfect to use with a group of parents for further sharing and discussion.
Faith Sharing and Prayer at Home – How does your family pray? In this two minute clip, Dr. Greg “Dobie” Moser focuses on the “ACTS Prayer” (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) as a simple yet effective formula for praying together as a family.
Creating a Faith Nurturing Home – a three minute clip featuring Leisa Anslinger inviting parents to consider how their home environment reflects their faith.
Faith Conversations – What are the “God-moments” in your life as a family? How do you name them? Drs. Bob and Maggie McCarty invite parents to reflect on the daily events and experiences that allow for a connection to the sacramental moments that surround us daily.
Faith Formation at Home
Catholic Family Bibles – Every family should have their own bible and these two Catholic versions are created to especially assist families with not only reading the word of God, but reflecting on it and sharing it more deeply
Strong Catholic Family Faith– a curated website designed to assist parish and school catechetical leaders in supporting and resourcing families in their efforts to offer quality faith formation for children and families.
Growing Up Catholic– excellent resources for coaching parents to share their faith with their own children, including catechetical programs, handouts, books, and a free getting started kit.
Center for Parent/Youth Understanding– committed to building strong families by helping parents understand and respond to the complex world of their children and teens from a distinctively Christian point of view.
Lifelong Faith – a treasure chest of articles, Christian practices and faith-based resources for parishes and parents alike.
ParentFurther.com– a parenting website created by the Search Institute offering answers to your “need-to-know-right-now” questions and provides you “with an understanding of what it takes to raise successful kids who will become healthy, responsible, and caring adults.”
Your Marriage
Paradisus Dei – helping families discover the superabundance of God within marriage and family life offering free parish-based programs for couples, men, women, moms and daughters and more.
For Your Marriage – an excellent resource developed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designed to strengthen and support marriage.
A Complete Guide to Substance Abuse in College – Health Administration Degrees presents the latest facts on substance abuse including its prevalence, legalities, and effects among college students.
Teen Mental Health– A guide for parents that helps shed light on the common mental health challenges for teens, the factors that cause them such as academic anxiety, peer pressure, body image, or cyberbulling.