You're Invited

On Wednesday at 12:00 noon, Pope Francis is asking all Christians to pray the Lord’s Prayer. He will do so from Rome (CET), and we are called to do the same, either simultaneously with him at 6AM or at 12:00 noon, our time. Here is an explanation from Vatican News:

The “Our Father” on the Annunciation
On Wednesday, 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, he has invited “the Heads of the Churches and the leaders of every Christian community, together with all Christians of the various confessions, to invoke the Almighty, the omnipotent God, to recite at the same time the prayer that Jesus, our Lord, taught us” – the Our Father. “On that day on which many Christians recall the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation of the Word”, Pope Francis prayed, “may the Lord listen to the united prayer of all of His disciples who are preparing themselves to celebrate the victory of the Risen Christ”.

Ways to be a "Domestic Church"

Since the beginning of Christianity, the family has been the primary place for spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ (the Gospel). As families, we minister to each other daily, and with our current situation, maybe more than usual!

To keep your home a place of peace and blessing in the midst of having a little more "family togetherness" try these:

Start the day with breakfast and prayer. It doesn't have to be a full cooked breakfast, everyone sitting together with their cereal bowls works, too. Pray the morning offering together (see below), or listen to the daily readings through any number of apps listed on our website.
Set up a special prayer space - anyone can use it whenever they want during the day, place a crucifix, some rosaries, a picture of Mary or another saint, Bible, holy cards, even a small lamp or candle. If someone is in the prayer space, acknowledge that they want to be in conversation with God, and respect their time and space for that.
Celebrate the liturgy of the Church - either the Liturgy of the Hours or Mass, via streaming services, or on TV (EWTN). Make an Act of Spiritual Communion (see below) since we cannot receive Jesus physically in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.
Use the resources from Our Sunday Visitor - Alive in Christ curriculum that was sent out last week to do lessons at home with your children. If you have multiple grade levels, choose one a week, and do that lesson with everyone. You may find your younger children offering insights that the older ones don't think of, or your older children can explain things to the younger children in ways you can't.
Above all, ask for the Holy Spirit to send His gifts and fruits to each and everyone in your family. He is always faithful and will bless you abundantly!

This is what family catechesis is all about...sharing our faith with one another, and helping each other grow in grace and spirit on our journey to heaven. Make your home a place of rest and peace through the grace of Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord.

Faith Formation Website

The Morning Offering

O Jesus,
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer You my prayers, works,
joys and sufferings
of this day for all the intentions
of Your Sacred Heart,
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
throughout the world,
in reparation for my sins,
for the intentions of all my relatives and friends,
and in particular
for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Amen.

This prayer has numerous variations, but the main idea is to start your day giving to God everything you may encounter during the upcoming day.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there

and unite myself wholly to You.

Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.