A New Way to Think About Religious Education
We created A Family of Faith to help develop strong Catholic families in which children learn the joys of following Jesus Christ and the truths of our Faith through the witness of Christian life given by their parents. Read more…
Question? Email us or call (880) 888-9344
How Family Faith Formation can Reignite the Faith in Your Parish
Engage Families in Your Parish
Many parishes are looking for ways to help families practice their faith and participate fully in the parish. With A Family of Faith, families come together regularly — growing in relationship with one another and learning the truths of the Catholic Faith and how to apply them in their lives. In the parish and at home parents and children have the opportunity to build relationships through discussion and reflection on topics that matter in their lives.
Learn to Follow Jesus Christ
As families continue to come together to learn about the life of Jesus Christ, His teachings, and the Catholic Faith, they desire to know Him better. The home becomes the place of deep learning as families desire to follow Jesus more closely. Families are introduced to the spiritual treasures of the home, the domestic church. Parents can learn and share with their children practices such as grace before meals, reading and praying with Scripture, and learning about the lives of the saints. All these are included in the monthly Our Catholic Home feature.
Rebuild the Domestic Church
As parents and children engage in discussion about what they are learning, spiritual curiosity is awakened and families desire to deepen in their understanding. Each month parents have the opportunity to choose from a variety of activities and discussion that they can do as a family to explore the concepts that are taught in each lesson. Younger children might learn through the experience of coloring one of the beautiful illustrations while older children might meditate on the Scripture.
Families using A Family of Faith attend Mass regularly, learn and practice prayers together, and engage in spiritual conversations at home, helping them to grow in holiness.
ENDORSEMENTS
“A Family of Faith is inspiring yet practical. This series has the potential to strengthen and renew the Catholic family as well as every parish that uses it.”
Scott Hahn
Catholic Author
“A Family of Faith is both inspiring and pragmatic, with the potential to strengthen both Catholic families and the parishes that adopt it.”
Cooper John
AFOF User
“A Family of Faith is inspiring yet practical. This series has the potential to strengthen and renew the Catholic family as well as every parish that uses it.”
Scott Hahn
Catholic Author
“A Family of Faith is both inspiring and pragmatic, with the potential to strengthen both Catholic families and the parishes that adopt it.”
Cooper John
AFOF User
How it Works
A Family of Faith provides you the flexibility to meet the needs of your parish.
At the PARISH
Parents attend a monthly workshop, where they learn through teaching, discussion, and activities.
At the PARISH
Parents teach their children with clearly designed lessons and activities that involve the whole family.
In COMMUNITY
Families come together for enjoyable events, such as picnics, feast day celebrations, and activities.
Based on the Pillars of the Catechism
A Family of Faith follows a four year cycle: one pillar of the Catechism is covered per year from September through May. Parents are given a detailed picture of authentic and vibrant Catholic family life, the tools to implement this life in their home, and age appropriate readings, games, crafts, and other activities to help them deepen among their children a love for Christ and His Church.
Each year is self contained, and so families may join at any time in the cycle. After four years, families will have been guided through the entirety of the Catechism and will have developed a broad understanding of the Church teachings. Families then cycle through the program again as their child grow, in order to deepen their knowledge and develop the habits needed for life-long spiritual growth.
How to Make It Work in Your Parish
Model 01
Whole Family or Small Group
Ideal for large parishes serving many families.
Leader’s presentation is recorded and shared to groups.
Small groups of 5-6 whole families (with one a leader/coordinator) meet in small groups at the parish to complete a selected lesson and activities.
Parents select monthly lessons for leading in their home.
Model 02
Parent-led
Our original design for use!
Leader presents teaching one per month, at the parish, to parents who then engage in small-group discussion and activities to deepen their understanding.
Parents assume the role as primary educators for their children using the Parent’s Guide and Children’s Activity Book for teaching at home.
An optional second meeting each month helps families grow in relationship with one another and develops community among families. Use suggested agenda i the Leader’s Guide of other parish activity such as family Mass and hospitality.
Model 03
Parallel-learning
Wishing to continue a suggested approach for parishes transitioning from a classroom model
Leader presents once per month to present who then engage in small-group discussion and activities to deepen their understanding.
Children participate in lessons with catechists using activities from A Family of Faith.
Parents reinforce the learning at home through select, family-based lessons and activities, preparing them for a more independent experience text year.
Let’s make it work in your Parish
Question? Email us or call (880) 888-9344
Content Overview
The Parent’s Guide
Background essays covering each moth’s content.
Notes for conveying this content to children in age-appropriate ways.
Instructions for activities and craft projects.
Stories of the saints and other notable Catholics
Suggestions for living the faith at home, such as
Suggestions for living the faith at home, such as
Guidance for creating and decorating a prayer space.
Prayer for special occasions
Tips for talking tough tough subjects
Ways to bring the liturgical years to life in the home.
The Children’t Activity Book
The Children’s Activity Book is designed to help children come to know the Catholic Faith through fun games and activities. The Parent’s Guide offers talking points for how to use each activity in the children’s book as a teachable moment, leading the child to a deeper relationship with Christ.
Activities in the Children’s Activity Book include:
Scripture memorization and copy work
Instructions for activities and craft projects.
Prayer memorization
Saints’ biographies
Games and crafts
Drawing and coloring pages
Journal pages
Prompts for original prayers and reflections
Student Family of Faith materials
The Leader’s Guide
The Leader’s Guide allows the parish catechetical leader to make the most of each meeting with families.
The leader’s guide includes:
Start-up guide for organizing and leading the program
Trivia games and other ice breakers for adult meetings
Lecture notes and PowerPoint slides
Detailed plans with games and activities for community meetings
Instructions for integrating A Family Faith into the life of the parish
Suggestions for ensuring accountability.
The Annual Curriculum Timeline
The Creed
Year One
The Sacraments
Year TWO
Life in Christ
Year THREE
Christian Prayer
Year FOUR
September
The Role of Parents in Education
The Role of Parents in Education
The Role of Parents in Education
The Role of Parents in Education
October
What is Faith, Who is God
What Is a Sacrament?
Heaven: Our Final destination
What is Prayer?
November
What is Faith, Who is God
Created in God’s Image
Conscience: God’s Law inn Our Hearts
Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray
December
Annunciation, Immaculate Conception
Confirmation
Cardinal and Theological Virtues
Prayer and the Our Father
January
Who is Jesus
The Eucharist, The Mass
The First Great Commandment and the First Four Commandments
Prayer and the Holy Spirit
February
Paschal Mystery
Sacraments of Healing
The 5th-10th Commandments
The Prayer of the Virgin Mary
March
The Holy Spirit
Anointing Of the Sick
The New Commandment and the Works of Mercy
Praying with Scripture and Expressions of Prayer
April
Marks of the Church, Communion of Saints
Holy Orders & Holy Matrimony
The Beatitudes
Prayer as Spiritual Battle
May
The Way of the Creed
Sacraments Jeopardy
Journey to Heaven
Prayer Castle Game
The Creed
Year One
September
The Role of Parents in Education
October
What is Faith, Who is God
November
Created in God’s Image
December
Annunciation, Immaculate Conception
January
Who is Jesus
February
Paschal Mystery
March
The Holy Spirit
April
Marks of the Church, Communion of Saints
May
The Way of the Creed
The Sacraments
Year TWO
September
The Role of Parents in Education
October
What Is a Sacrament?
November
Sacraments of Initiation
December
Confirmation
January
The Eucharist, The Mass
February
Sacraments of Healing
March
Anointing Of the Sick
April
Holy Orders & Holy Matrimony
May
Sacraments Jeopardy
Life in Christ
Year THREE
September
The Role of Parents in Education
October
Heaven: Our Final destination
November
Conscience: God’s Law inn Our Hearts
December
Cardinal and Theological Virtues
January
The First Great Commandment and the First Four Commandments
February
The 5th-10th Commandments
March
The New Commandment and the Works of Mercy
April
The Beatitudes
May
Journey to Heaven
Christian Prayer
Year FOUR
September
The Role of Parents in Education
October
What is Prayer?
November
Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray
December
Prayer and the Our Father
January
Prayer and the Holy Spirit
February
The Prayer of the Virgin Mary
March
Praying with Scripture and Expressions of Prayer
April
Prayer as Spiritual Battle
May
Prayer Castle Game
Let’s make it work in your Parish
Question? Email us or call (880) 888-9344
Books and Samples
English
Family of Faith Volume I
The Profession of Faith
Families learn this year about events that took place thousands of years ago. But the story of Read more…
Family of Faith Volume II
The Sacraments
In every way, the Sacraments are about God’s love, fully revealed in Jesus Christ. The seven Read more…
Family of Faith Volume IV
Christian Prayer
This volume focuses on Christian prayer, and why it is so essential for growing in relationship Read more…
Family of Faith Volume III
Life in Christ
This year focuses on the moral life and what it means to live the way God wants us to live. From Read more…
Spanish
Una Familia de Fe Volumen II
Los Sacramentos
En todos los sentidos, los sacramentos son sobre el amor de Dios, completamente revelado Read more…
Una Familia de Fe Volumen III
Vida en Cristo
Este ano se centra en la vida moral y lo que significa vivir de la manera que Dios quiere que nosotros Read more…
La Profesión de Fe Volume I
La Profesión de Fe
Las familias aprenden este año sobre los eventos que tuvieron lugar hace miles de años. Pero el Read more…
Una Familia de Fe Volumen IV
Oración Cristiana
Este volumen se centra en la oración cristiana y por qué es tan esencial para crecer en. Read more…
Let’s make it work in your Parish
Question? Email us or call (880) 888-9344
FAQs
Shouldn’t the religious education of children be left to the parish?
Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.
Shouldn’t the religious education of children be left to the parish?
Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.
Shouldn’t the religious education of children be left to the parish?
Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.
Shouldn’t the religious education of children be left to the parish?
Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.
Shouldn’t the religious education of children be left to the parish?
Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.
Shouldn’t the religious education of children be left to the parish?
Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.
Shouldn’t the religious education of children be left to the parish?
Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.
Shouldn’t the religious education of children be left to the parish?
Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.
Shouldn’t the religious education of children be left to the parish?
Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.
Shouldn’t the religious education of children be left to the parish?
Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.
Shouldn’t the religious education of children be left to the parish?
Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.
Shouldn’t the religious education of children be left to the parish?
Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.
Let’s make it work in your Parish
Question? Email us or call (880) 888-9344
Contact Us
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(800) 888-9344 | (888) 288-2259
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