The church was holding Mass in the community center, which meant there was only a crucifix and a tabernacle behind the altar. There was no religious art, and while the space was reverent, it was aesthetically sparse, which seemed to make it even harder to focus as my children wiggled in their seats. As we knelt for the consecration, I tried to close my eyes and block out the distractions. As he sometimes does, my husband, Joseph, whispered to our older son to encourage him to pay attention to the prayer. Ronan listened but continued to wiggle and ask questions and generally behave like most fi ..read more

Spread the word about National Marriage Week 2022: Called to the Joy of Love by updating your cover photo or sharing one of our social media images! Graphics are suitable for Facebook and Twitter and are available in both English and Spanish. Scroll down to see all available options! To download the full-size image, click on the image, then on the next page right-click and select “Save image as…” You can post the images yourself or during National Marriage Week 2020, you can share posts from the ForYourMarriage or USCCB Facebook pages. Graphics for Facebook in English and Spanish Graphics for ..read more

Recently, some friends shared that their family prayer time had become so awful that they quit. And they’re certainly not alone. Whatever the reason—a new baby, a summer or winter slump, a move, tough teens, screen addictions—we all need strategies to reboot family prayer from time to time. “His mercies are new every morning,” and in this spirit of new beginnings for you and your family, we’d like to share 12 quick ways to hit “reset” on your family prayer times. These are the aides we’ve returned to over the years: Set the tone. If we parents are viewing family prayer as a burden or task, ou ..read more

Spread the word about National Marriage Week 2021: To Have, To Hold, To Honor by updating your cover photo or sharing one of our social media images! To download the full-size image, click on the image, then on the next page right-click and select “Save image as…” You can post the images yourself or during National Marriage Week 2020, you can share posts from the ForYourMarriage or USCCB Facebook pages. Graphics for Facebook   Graphics for Twitter   The post National Marriage Week 2021 Social Media Kit appeared first on For Your Marriage ..read more

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Every day, around 123 Americans die from suicide. Annually, around a quarter of a million Americans will survive an attempted suicide. Further discussion and awareness around this sad topic are particularly needed in this year of unprecedented difficulty. While concern for our physical health has been the main focus during COVID-19, it is necessary to recognize that mental health has been adversely affected by fear, anxiety, and depression – associated with the pandemic and its social and economic ramifications – have had on people’s li ..read more

This year, Holy Week will look different for Catholic families. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not able to attend the liturgies of the Easter Triduum or  attend Holy Mass on Easter Sunday. But just as the Church continues to celebrate these liturgies, the domestic church also continues to mark this holiest week of the year. Many families will be praying and celebrating together within their homes. Below are resources to help you and your family do the same. USCCB Resources: USCCB List of Livestreaming Masses Good Friday Sample Intercessions for the COVID-19 Pandemic ForYourMarriage.org ..read more

Here we sit, nice and cozy on a rainy spring morning, laptops out, sipping tea, and working from home. Like most Americans, our home – a one-bedroom apartment – is now acting as our temporary office, school, and even church. Unlike most people, though, Eric and I were just getting the hang of living under the same roof! We have been married for just over four months. There are still boxes to unpack, thank you notes to send, and we are still figuring out our daily rhythm as a married couple. Now we have every waking and sleeping moment together for what looks like at least a month; it’s a perfe ..read more

Prayers Pope Francis’s Prayer to Mary during Coronavirus Pandemic COVID-19 Prayer of Solidarity (USCCB) Coronavirus Prayer Card (USCCB) – in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Mass and Adoration Livestream Vatican News Live Streaming Mass with Pope Francis EWTN Daily Mass Catholic TV Mass Catholic Faith Network Masses Relevant Radio Daily Live Mass Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception St Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City Word On Fire Daily Masses EWTN Live Adoration (9am-6pm EST) Adorecast – Live Perpetual Adoration Prayer and Liturgical Resources The following publi ..read more

Due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, families have been faced with the challenge of establishing a ‘new normal’ in their daily lives. The disruptions that families experience with the closure of schools, child care centers, workplaces, as well as many other services, can be a cause of tension and distress. Moreover, churches have suspended the public celebration of Masses and other liturgical services for the faithful. Whatever your family situation, there is an opportunity to find grace in the midst of this crisis. Families can use this time as an invitation to focus on our relationships an ..read more

Spread the word about National Marriage Week 2020: Stories from the Domestic Church by updating your cover photo or sharing one of our social media images. To download the image, right click and select “Save image as…” You can post the images yourself or during National Marriage Week 2020, you can share posts from the ForYourMarriage or USCCB Facebook pages. Facebook Cover Photo   Social Media Graphics (Each image is 400×400.) The post National Marriage Week 2020 Social Media Kit appeared first on For Your Marriage ..read more