Parents are the most influential agents of catechesis for their children. They have a unique responsibility for the education of their children; they are their first educators, or catechists. (National Directory of Catechesis 234)

Connect with our diocesan initiative: Strong Catholic Families - Strong Catholic Youth to learn about starting (or continuing) the conversation at your parish about empowering parents to share faith with their children and effectively form them in the Catholic faith.

Parent Track: Surviving and Thriving with our Teenagers

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Every parent of a teenager could use some support with the challenges and pressures of raising adolescent children. The parents who are the most successful, stay one step ahead and are proactive in dealing with the daily activities of being the best a parent can be. The Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministry is bringing in 2 national speakers, both with their PhD’s and they happen to be married to one another, Dr. Bob and Dr. Maggie McCarty! Thanks in part to the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, the costs for this event have decreased; $10.00 for one parent and $15.00 for two parents, brunch included!  More information  All parents are invited!  Diocesan Youth Convention

• Flyer & Registration Form
• Agenda 9:00 AM until 11:30 AM or 1:30 PM (Your choice!)
  • Stay through brunch until 11:30AM or
  • At 11:30AM join the Youth for their final session and hear from the keynote speaker, teen witnesses and awards and/or
  • At 12:45PM a Question & Answer session with Dr.'s Bob & Maggie McCarty

 LEARN HOW TO COACH PARENTS

Faith Formation that lasts a lifetime begins with the parents!  It takes a village to raise a family and perhaps some of these great resources:

     Parent's Guide to Coaching

More about families and faith formation:

Adult catechesis designed especially for parents helps them to nourish their own faith and well as that of their children. Parishes need to give special attention to supporting the faith formation of parents and families as a whole. A variety of models for religious education exist, yet the best ones are those that incorporate family catechesis within the regular catechetical process.

Whether a parish uses intergenerational, family faith formation gatherings as the norm for systematic, comprehensive catechesis or provides events that supplement their age-specific programming, it is clear that helping families to develop a strong domestic church will strengthen each parish community of faith.

What strategies will help plan for or expand family catechesis at your parish? Try these:

1. Make family faith formation a goal for parish life – if you don’t plan it, it won’ t happen.
2. Use parish programs to teach and model family faith practices.
3. Build on practices that families are already engaged in.
4. Involve the whole family in parish life and leadership.
5. Offer family learning programs.
6. Develop age-appropriate family service projects.
7. Provide at-home resources.
8. Use the internet for resource and connect families.
(From: Lifelong Faith: The Theory and Practice of Lifelong Faith Formation, Fall/Winter 2007 issue.)

SUGGESTED RESOURCES on Intergenerational Learning: 

(Click title for more information)

Faith Formation Learning Exchange:  For the latest in News & Trends, Research, Articles, etc.

     Lifelong & Multigenerational

     Families & Parents

The How-To's of Intergenerational Catechesis- Kathy Hendricks

Handbook for Success in Whole Community Catechesis- Bill Huebsch

Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life- John Roberto

Faith Days- For Whole Community Faith Formation- Resource Publications

Families & Faith A Vision & Practice for Parish Leaders- Leif Kehrwald

Intergenerational Faith Formation- Twenty-Third Publications

WHOLE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS:

Fashioning Faith by Center for Ministry Development  A subscription web site that helps make lifelong faith formation a reality for your community.  For more information click on: Newsletter     Fashioning Faith News     About Fashioning Faith

F.I.R.E. Becoming Community by Liguori Publications  A Way of Being Church is an ongoing religious education process designed to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together in an atmosphere of faith-sharing.  More information

Gather In My Name by Sadlier  Whole community catechesis in a "Green" presentation.  You can download a PowerPoint presentation on their website, along with 11 Event Archives, Reflections & Discussions, Whole Community Activities  and Question of the Week.  More information

Generations People of Faith Learning Together by Our Sunday Visitor  Event-centered, intergenerational programs.  More information

Whole Communuty Catechesis by RCL Benziger  There are many different ways to begin incorporating the whole community vision into your parish.  For answers to: What is Whole Community Catechesis?, Getting Started and Integrating a Religion Series click on more information.

Please contact Chris Hanley in the Department of Lifelong Faith Formation for more information about effective strategies for family faith formation (716) 847-5521.