Catholic mom Sarah Reinhard has celebrated three first Communions. That doesn’t make her an expert, but she has learned some things along the way. Online you’ll find five pointers that have helped her let go of the stress and embrace the beauty of the sacrament, from remembering to smile to keeping in mind the sacredness of the day.
Five ways for parents to prepare children for First Holy Communion
How can parents best help kids prepare for their First Holy Communion? A veteran catechist offers five key strategies.
10+ ways to celebrate Easter with your kids with food, fun, and prayer
Easter marks the high point of the entire liturgical year. Here’s how to celebrate the season with your kids.
Walking through Holy Week as a family
The week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, Holy Week, is the most sacred time of year. During this special time, we enter into the passion of Christ — his crucifixion, death and resurrection — through liturgical celebration and personal conversion. While the season of Lent is a very important time in the Church, it is helpful to remember that our Lenten practices (prayer, fasting and almsgiving) are meant as preparation for the three days of the Triduum. There’s more help online to help you celebrate Holy Week at home.
25 things for your kids to spot during Palm Sunday and Triduum
Technically, Triduum spans three days—from the evening of Holy Thursday until the evening of Easter Sunday—but liturgically, it is “one day,” one long celebration of the Paschal Mystery. Triduum culminates in the Easter Vigil, which is the high point of the entire liturgical year. As with the Sunday liturgy, reviewing what will happen at the liturgy in advance is a good way to help your kids participate with understanding and reverence. Online, you’ll find lists to review and give your kids a heads up before going to church—and challenge them to notice each item during the service.