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Family & Marriage Tips for the Christmas Season

Faith Activities, Partners Resources

FROM Teresa Hartnett, Director OF THE FAMILY MINISTRY OFFICE, The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton THE Parenting Tip #174 Christmas is a wonderful time of year! We see family, experience the joys of gift giving and receiving and have some time as a family just to be. It is however, more than any of these things, the celebration of the birth of Christ. In the hustle and bustle of the season we can forget to focus on this moment, where a child came into the world so that each of us could experience the profound gift of Salvation. This Christmas, enjoy all the fun stuff, but remember to focus, through stories, Mass, prayer and discussions, on the joy of Christ’s birth and the real reason for the season. Marriage Tip #154 Marriage is a journey that two people undertake with a plan to navigate life together. When researchers investigate what makes the journey both long and happy, many things come into play, but a strong one is repeated by most: “I married my best friend.” It is good to ask yourself then, are you being a good friend to your spouse? Do you spend time together, share parts of your day, invite them to share in an event with you, watch a movie together, or even a series that can become together time? Do you call once in awhile to say hello during the time you are not together and plan time for your spouse in your agenda – everyday? Are you patient when they make a mistake, are not perfect, or let you down? Friendships thrive and last in this kind of environment, so make friendship a foundation of your marriage.

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Does Your Church Offer the ALPHA Program?

Faith Activities, Partners Resources

What to know about the Alpha program Alpha is a series of group conversations that explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly and informal environment. It is compatible with the Catholic faith and is used by many parishes worldwide.  A typical Alpha session includes: How to inquire about the next Alpha course To find out if/when your Parish will next run an Alpha course, you can take one of the following steps: Ask for the Alpha Team: If a parish does host an Alpha course, you can ask to speak with the “Alpha Team” or the person running the program to learn more.

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Bridging connections between faith and learning this month

Blog, Faith Activities

November opened with All Saints Day, a celebration of the holy men and women who lived their lives in faith, courage, and love of God. When we discuss this with our children, its important to remind them that Catholics do not pray to the saints for things—we ask them to pray for us, just as we ask friends to remember us in prayer. The saints remind us that holiness is found in ordinary people who live with extraordinary love.  Take some time to name some saints that your family knows – their school or parish may be named after a saint!   This month, students in our Catholic schools will also learn about Treaty Recognition Week, reflecting on promises, respect, and living in friendship with others. As parents, you can extend these lessons at home by connecting them to our faith—seeing how living respectfully, caring for creation, and keeping our word all reflect the Gospel message of love and stewardship. A beautiful example of this connection is St. Kateri Tekakwitha, known as the Lily of the Mohawks. Born in 1656 near Auriesville, New York, she was the daughter of an Algonquin mother and a Mohawk chief. After surviving a smallpox epidemic that left her with scars and partial blindness, Kateri was baptized at age 20 and dedicated her life to Christ through prayer, charity, and simplicity. Facing persecution for her faith, she fled north to Canada, finding refuge in Kahnawake, near Montreal, where she lived a life of devotion and service. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI canonized St. Kateri, making her the first Indigenous woman of North America to be declared a saint. Her life bridges faith and culture, showing that holiness blooms when we live with gratitude, peace, and respect for all God’s creation.  Family Faith Ideas:

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Advent: A Season of Hope and Preparation

Faith Activities, News & Events

Advent is a sacred time in the Catholic Church that marks the beginning of the liturgical year. It is a season of hope, reflection, and joyful anticipation as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus Christ. Through prayer, Scripture, and meaningful traditions, families are invited to slow down and focus on the true meaning of Christmas. In 2025, the Advent Sundays are as follows: Each Sunday marks a step in the spiritual journey toward Christmas, with themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. Advent Activities for Families Here are some simple and faith-filled ways families can celebrate Advent together: 1. Create an Advent Wreath: Light one candle each Sunday and say a short prayer or read a Scripture passage as a family. 2. Daily Advent Devotions: Use a family-friendly devotional or online resource to reflect together each evening. 3. Kindness Calendar: Make an Advent calendar with daily acts of kindness like “Help a sibling,” “Donate a toy,” or “Say a prayer for someone.” 4. Attend Parish Events: Participate in Advent Masses, reconciliation services, or parish missions to grow spiritually as a family. 5. Jesse Tree: Create ornaments representing biblical figures and stories leading to Jesus’ birth. Hang one each day and read the Scripture together. 6. Advent Music Night: Sing or listen to hymns like O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and reflect on their meaning. 7. Set Up a Prayer Corner: Designate a small space with candles, a Bible, and Advent symbols for quiet prayer time. 8. Send Faith-Filled Cards: Write Christmas cards with Scripture verses or Advent messages to share the joy of the season. 9. Bake & Share: Make treats together and deliver them to someone in need, teaching generosity and compassion. 10. Nativity Crafts: Create a nativity scene using paper, clay, or recycled materials and retell the story of Jesus’ birth.

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Family Activities to Celebrate St. John Paul II

Faith Activities

St. John Paul II was born in Poland in 1920 and became pope in 1978, serving until 2005. He was known for his deep spirituality, love for young people, and efforts to promote peace and human dignity around the world. He played a key role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and was a tireless advocate for the sanctity of life and the importance of family. He was canonized in 2014 and is the patron saint of youth and families.  To Celebrate St. John Paul II 1. Create a “Be Not Afraid” Poster 2. Watch a Short Documentary or Video 3. Polish-Inspired Dinner Night 4. Prayer Time 5. Family Journal Activity 6. Visit a Church or Shrine

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Who Was St. Teresa of Calcutta?

Faith Activities

St. Teresa of Calcutta, also known as Mother Teresa, was a Catholic nun who dedicated her life to helping the poor, sick, and dying in India and around the world. She believed that every person matters, no matter how small or forgotten. She started the Missionaries of Charity, a group that continues her work today. Mother Teresa was known for her kindness, humility, and deep love for God and others. She was canonized as a saint in 2016. Her feast day was  celebrated on September 5. 💡 Activities and Ideas to Learn About Mother Teresa Here are some simple and meaningful ways to explore her life with children: 🧠 Learn & Reflect 🎨 Creative Activities 👐 Acts of Service 🙏 Faith Connection

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Saint of the Month John the Baptist

Faith Activities

John the Baptist (June 24th) John the Baptist was a special person chosen by God to prepare the way for Jesus. He was Jesus’ cousin and helped people get ready to meet Jesus by teaching them to be kind, say sorry for their mistakes, and live good lives. John baptized people in the Jordan River, including Jesus himself! That moment showed everyone that Jesus was truly the Son of God. Catholics remember John the Baptist because: 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Activities

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A Message from Cardinal Leo

Faith Activities, News & Events

As June marks the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cardinal Leo invites all the faithful to reflect deeply on this enduring Catholic devotion. In his message, he reminds us that the Sacred Heart is more than a symbol—it is the source of Christ’s sacrificial love, mercy, and hope. As we navigate a world filled with uncertainty, the Heart of Jesus anchors us in divine love and calls us to a renewed life of faith and holiness.

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Our Lady of Fátima (May 13)

Faith Activities

Our Lady of Fátima is a Catholic title for the Virgin Mary, based on a series of apparitions reported by three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal, in 1917. These apparitions led to the construction of the Sanctuary of Fátima, a major pilgrimage site for Catholics worldwide.  Key aspects of the Fátima apparitions: The Children:Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, who were tending sheep near the village of Fátima, reported seeing the Virgin Mary.  Apparitions:The children claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary appear on the 13th day of each month from May to October 1917, with the final apparition on October 13th being accompanied by what was called the “Miracle of the Sun”.  Messages and Secrets:The Virgin Mary, known as Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Fátima, entrusted the children with three secrets, two of which were later revealed. The third secret, initially sealed until 1960, was officially released by Pope John Paul II in 2000. 

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