by Olivia Spears
The Three Types of Prayer (and How to Cultivate Them in the Lives of Our Children)
Gently invite your children to a richer prayer life by introducing them to the three types of prayer. Here is what you need to get them started.
Sort by Topic
Use our filters to find topics that most interest you.
Filters
Clear all
by Olivia Spears
What We Use for First Communion Prep
Preparing for First Communion is a beautiful experience for children and parents alike. Many children will receive their first Communions this spring and early summer, so naturally, preparation is on our minds. We want them to have a memorable encounter with the Eucharist. We want to do our part—inasmuch as we can—to prepare them for this intimacy with Jesus.
by Olivia Spears
What Made Scott Hahn Become Catholic
What made Scott Hahn became Catholic? Two words: the Liturgy. Of course, there was more to it than that, but in The Lamb's Supper, he reveals why attending his first Catholic Mass was a major step toward communion with Rome. Scott Hahn walked into that parish as an interested but a slightly critical, casual observer. He left as a convert. Granted, he didn’t immediately drop everything and say “I want to be a Catholic!” But his conversion was largely founded upon his understanding of the biblical roots of the Mass.
by Olivia Spears
Pray the Rosary as a Family with these Six Tips
We have heard about the importance of praying the Rosary, especially as a family. But family life can be chaotic, especially with multiple children. The family Rosary, at least in our house, is not quiet, focused, or at all what I idealize. But the grace is in that. Our efforts to pray a family Rosary are not futile and not without merit.
by Olivia Spears
How to Connect Our Senses to Scripture
In creating the intricacies of our humanity, God also fashioned us to be able to know Him through our five senses. Sight, taste, smell, sound, touch. Particularly thanks to the Incarnation, we can see Him, hear Him, and even touch Him.
by Olivia Spears
How to Plan + Present a Catholic Hymn Study
“He who sings prays twice,” Saint Augustine once said. Singing—and understanding that which we sing—is vital for a deeper understanding of our own Faith. Sadly, many of today’s young Catholics are not acquainted with hymnals and rarely pull them out during the Mass. For us as parents, we have to opportunity to set an example of participation when it comes to singing.
by Olivia Spears
What is The Daily Feast? (And Why It Matters)
The Daily Feast is a great way to share prayer time with family. The Daily Feast is a compilation of synthetic prayer and memory work aimed at teaching our children to pray. It is quite literally a “feast” for the mind! The Daily Feast is a system of prayers best incorporated into your morning prayer and/or evenings (or spread throughout both). If encouraged from a young age, this could build to be habitual for your children throughout their lives. This would fit wonderfully into morning time. Before the busy-ness of the day begins, gathering together for prayer and connection is a wonderful day to cultivate connection amongst your family.
by Olivia Spears
Our Favorite Liturgical Living Resources
There are many great liturgical living books out there, but how to choose from the masses? Today, we will share some of our favorite liturgical living resources for you and your family. These books are an absolute treasure trove and should be included not only in your school day, but day-to-day life!
by Olivia Spears
Memorizing Scripture with Your Kids (Why + Where to Start)
Just as we sit around the campfire and tell stories we have heard and memorized, we can do the same with Scripture! Just as one would recite a poem or story aloud, we should be able to recite God's Word. We memorize the multiplication tables, simple addition problems, and the metrics system. Wouldn't it make sense then, as Catholics, to include Scripture memorization with the other things we encourage our children to commit to memory?
by Olivia Spears
Level Two Book List
The complete book list for Into the Deep: Level Two. These books are completely optional and are not necessary to use the resource. If you want to extend the catechesis by reading living picture books and chapter books that touch on the story or theme from particular lessons, these are for you!
by Olivia Spears
When the Baby *is* the Catechesis
In these moments I am tempted toward frustration or discouragement, the needs I believe bumping up against the needs I perceive. Babies (and toddlers) are a blessing that bring with them enormous joy... and interruption. If you have older children in the home, these interruptions can seem to be an obstacle to your efforts to teach and instruct the older child(ren).
by Olivia Spears
The Importance of Sacred Art in Catechesis
Since the beginning of time, art has been employed by all cultures as a means to express themselves. In the history of the Catholic Church, art has always been a contributing factor in catechetical formation. Sacred art expresses some Truth about the Faith in picture form. The Nativity scene, for example, can be described verbally, but when it is captured in a beautiful picture, frozen in one moment for all time, it has a profound impact on the human mind and heart.
by Olivia Spears
Into the Deep: Level One Book List
The complete book list for Into the Deep Level One. These books are completely optional and are not necessary to use the resource. If you want to extend the catechesis by reading living picture books and chapter books that touch on the story or theme from particular lessons, these are for you!