Hear My Prayer
Enjoy exploring!
JOURNEYING WITH ST. JOSEPH
By tradition, St. Joseph is the patron Saint against doubt and hesitation. This comes from his certainty about taking Mary into his home and fleeing to Egypt. He trusted that God was leading him in the right direction and he followed. In many ways, as patron against doubt and hesitation, St. Joseph is also a patron of prayer. How can we be like St. Joseph and not only ask God to answer us, but to listen to the answer and follow in trust?
READ!
SUNDAY READINGS:
Click on the link below for the readings that you will hear at the Sunday's Mass for the coming two weeks. This will give you a chance to prepare your heart and mind for full and active participation in Mass this weekend! For a Mass schedule in our diocese click on the grey button below.
Family Stories and Books for exploring prayer at all ages and stages:
- Praying with my Fingers; An Easy Way to Talk to God (Paraclete Press)
- The Catholic Children's Prayer Book (St. Mary's Press)
- Catholic Youth Prayer Book (St. Mary's Press)
- The Rosary for Little Ones by Kimberly Fries
Parenting Articles: Struggling to pray as a family? https://www.catechist.com/dislike-family-prayer-time/
WRITE!
- Use the material in this article for an "at-home" family lesson on prayer! https://www.catechist.com/teaching-children-p-r-y/
- Create a personal prayer journal: https://www.catechist.com/paper-bag-prayer-book/
- Download this copy book to memorize prayers from Catholic Icing: https://www.catholicicing.com/printable-catholic-prayers-for-kids-posters-and-copywork/
- Learn the Our Father with this fill in the blank worksheet from Sophia Press: https://sophiainstituteforteachers.org/uploads/lessons_approved/Our_Father_Fill_in_the_Blank.pdf
- Teach your little ones traditional prayers with these free downloads from WeeBelievers: https://weebelievers.com/blogs/wee-discover-activities/printable-our-father-hail-mary-glory-be-learning-activity-pages
- Write a list of intercessory prayers as a family. Consider prayers for those you know and those you don't know, world events, specific groups and issues, etc. Light a candle and pray them together.
LISTEN!
CREATE!
PRAY!
This article from U.S.Catholic helps us to think about the meaning behind the words of the prayer Jesus taught us. After reading it, practice praying the Our Father with slow intention, thinking about the meaning of each line. Pray it as if you were in the presence of Jesus, when he taught it to his disciples.
BE WELL!
Word of the Week!
WONDER WITH THE HOLY FAMILY
As Christians, we are used to crying out to Jesus in prayer. Yet, Jesus would have called out to Joseph and to Mary throughout his childhood for a variety of things. Both parents would have listened as Jesus called to him, as any parent listens to their children. Is it any wonder Mary and Joseph both have the reputation of quietly (silently even?) listening and responding in love?
Parents – Hearing your name called in a loving way is a gift. How can (or do) you call your child by name in a way that shows you love them?
Children – Just as we ask our parents for help, we can ask God for help. Granted, Mom may make a better grilled cheese, but God has a lot to give too. Think about how lucky we are to have a God who gives us so much!
Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
Debtor in Possession