Families Growing in Faith
FGF Home | General Information | Websites to Explore
Welcome to this website designed to share key information about Families Growing in Faith and the internet resources that have been selected to assist you in your home religious study. The sites have been chosen as suggestions for your review, and we ask that you let us know if you have any questions or comments about the sites, or if you have any additional sites that you use that you would like to share.
September: Introduction to the Year/Tour of the Church
- Our church celebrates the liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and ordinary time.
- Our church building is a special and sacred place.
- The tabernacle in the Catholic Church is where the Eucharist is kept after the celebration of Mass.
- The Church is a celebrating community.
- The Church celebrates liturgical feasts and seasons.
October: All Saints Day (Saints)
Family Session 10/3 or 10/4
Parent Session 9/30 7:30 - 8:30
- The Church is the communion of saints.
- Mary and the saints offer us examples of good Christian lives.
November: Advent
Family Session: 11/14 or 11/15
Parent Session 11/9 1:30 - 2:30
or 11/11 7:30 - 8:30
- The season of Advent prepares us for Christmas and for the second coming of Christ.
December: Christmas
Family Session: 12/12 or 13
Parent Session: 12/7 or 12/9
- Jesus came to bring us God's Word.
- Jesus is a person who lived historically and is alive now
January: Holy Family/Walk through the Mass
Family Session: 1/9 or 1/10
Parent Session: Jan 4 or 6th
- We believe in the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
- We meet Jesus in the Word of God.
- The Church-one holy, catholic and apostolic-is the People of God, called together by the Holy Spirit.
- We belong to a parish family
- The Church gathers at Mass to celebrate the life of Jesus.
- The Church is made up of people who follow Jesus (apostles, saints, us).
- At Mass, we gather as a community to be reconciled, to give thanks, and to celebrate.
- At Mass, we come together to celebrate.
- Sign of the Cross
- Mass responses
- Liturgical prayer
- Liturgical responses
- Liturgy of the Word
- Liturgy of the Eucharist
- At Mass, we gather together as God's family.
- Mealtime, morning and night prayers
- The Psalms are prayers found in the Old Testament that Jesus liked to pray.
- We love our family.
February: Lent
Family Session: 2/13 or 14
2/8 Parents Session
- Lent is a special time for praying, sacrificing, and sharing because of Jesus' suffering.
- Prayer is listening to and talking with God.
- The Lord's Prayer
- Prayer of Sorrow
- God hears our prayers
- Spontaneous prayer
- Spontaneous and meditation prayers
- Mealtime, morning and night prayers
- Christians pray daily to talk to God and to listen to God's will.
Lent Links
- Basic information about Lent
- Season of Lent and Holy Week: Online Resources
- 40 Ways to get the most out of Lent - Suggestions for incorporating Lent into each day.
- The First Week of Lent - A great site for prayers, cooking, and incorporating Lent into all aspects of your life during this special season of the year.
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Lenten Quiz online
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This is a fun way to learn and challenge your family!
March: NO FGF
April: Holy Week/Easter
March 29 Parent
Family Session April 3 or 4
- Jesus died for us on the cross
- Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday to give us new life.
- Christians celebrate Jesus' rising from the dead on Easter Sunday.
- The Eucharistic celebration (Mass) on Holy Thursday reminds us of the Last Supper.
Holy Week/Easter Links
- What is Easter - Some Basic Information
- Easter Sunday Activities tied to the readings at Mass - A lesson plan that has some fun ideas for focusing on Easter at home.
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Learn about Easter, by learning about Passover
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Understanding Passover and how it is a part of the Easter season
May: Mary/Rosary
Family Session May 8 or 9
May 3 or 7
- Mary is the mother of God
- Mary and the saints offer us examples of good Christian lives.
- Hail Mary
- Rosary
Mary/Rosary Links
- Learning about Mary and her special relationship with God - Lesson Plan incorporating various lessons focused on Mary
- How to pray the rosary - Specific guide to praying the rosary, with prayers, and links to the words.
- General information about the rosary and its history - Answer specific questions about the rosary.
- The Rosary for Kids
