Celebrate First Sacraments…Every Year! I think the celebration of First Sacraments shouldn’t be limited to JUST the actual event, but should be celebrated annually as an anniversary! I think it makes sense to celebrate all the First Sacraments received by all or most of the family members within the same …

Next spring, our youngest of five will be Confirmed in the Church! With First Eucharist happening the same day, we’ll have nudged all of our birdies through all the Sacraments of Initiation that spring day in the future. To add to that, we just learned on Monday of the appointment of …

  This article launches our new “Journaling the Sacraments” series, based on the article I wrote for RTJ Creative Catechist.  (January 2013)  Across a series of posts at Equipping Catholic Families, I am highlighting a few new ideas to celebrate the First Sacraments, emphasizing their significance in Catholic family life …

At the end of this month, my little girl will make her First Holy Communion.  She is my sixth child, born to me right after my 46th birthday.  It’s a bittersweet time in a way – it is her first – but it is one of my lasts – the …

But as for you man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Tim 6:11-12). …

One thing I’ve always loved about being Catholic is how much the Church likes loves to par-tay! I think it’s awesome that our Faith has basically earmarked every single day of the calendar year with some feast day or event so that we can both celebrate big holidays and embarrass …

Editor’s note: I am thrilled to help spread the word about this exciting use of technology and new ideas to help our beloved children prepare to receive their sacraments. Please share this project with your favorite school or teacher – we’d love to help Elizabeth’s project succeed. LMH Attention Teachers …

There’s a lot to think about and do in preparation for your child’s First Holy Communion.  From making sure your child is spiritually prepared for the big day down to the concrete practical details of party planning—it’s a big job. Here’s an overview of stuff you need to think about …

Just over 4.5 years ago my entire family came home to the Catholic Church.  It was exhilarating and one of the best decisions we ever made.  Now, to be honest, my children did not have much to say about this particular decision.  They were too young at the time of …

Each Easter Vigil loads of new Catholics are received into full communion with the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).  If you’re reading this, hopefully you’ve either been a sponsor for one of these newbies in the past or are involved with RCIA in some …

Editor’s note: Today, we welcome a guest contribution from Janet Quinlan, the founder of Embroidered Heirlooms. I would like to personally thank Janet for her generous support of CatholicMom.com and for creating beautiful resources for Catholic families. Please be sure to visit EmbroideredHeirlooms.com as you anticipate and prepare for your …

I was speaking with my spiritual director and confessor. Almost as an afterthought, I told him that sometimes I didn’t feel forgiven, even after confession. He explained that it was possible to be overscrupulous…but he also mentioned the lifelong confession. I knew instantly that I was being called to do …

For the Catholic Church, infant baptism is the norm for children born to practicing Catholic parents. It’s a beautiful sacramental celebration enjoyed by close family and friends, usually accompanied by baptism gifts, cake, lots of photos, and generally a good faith-filled time is had by all. The Catholic Church teaches …

Do you celebrate your baptismal anniversary? While I have a copy of my baptismal certificate safely tucked away with other important papers, without looking at it, I can only remember my baptism occurred sometime during the month of August 1976. Given I don’t even remember the exact date, it’s a little …

Seven from Heaven: How the Sacraments Can Heal, Nurture, and Protect Your Family Today by Elizabeth Ficocelli Crossroad Publishing Company, 2012 Elizabeth Ficocelli, an adult convert to the Catholic faith, is a woman in love with the sacraments. That love shines forth in her latest book, Seven from Heaven: How …

Sadly, there have been funerals recently in our parish. Throughout the funeral services, as I helped with setting up the Church, I kept reflecting on the power of a funeral Mass. And that led to further thoughts on the importance of our sacramentals. In many Protestant churches, they no longer …

The other day I was on the on-ramp of the expressway trying to enter the flow of traffic while following a slow-moving car.  Honestly, some people have no idea how to get on an expressway! It’s a strange dance we do. Some people creep along at their own pace and …

Editor’s note: Today, I’m thrilled to welcome a guest contribution from Father Thomas J. Scirghi, S.J., author of the wonderful new book Everything Is Sacred: An Introduction to the Sacrament of Baptism. Father Scirghi’s book is not simply a great resource for parents anticipating the Baptism of a newborn child. It’s also …

Unbelievable. Tonight, our youngest child will be confirmed – our last Mohican. This is the last “big” sacrament we’ll celebrate as Fenelon Clan. Of course, receiving the holy Eucharist is a major celebration every single time we receive Him, and receiving the sacrament of Penance should simply delight us each …

Our little eight year old, my daughter, nicknamed, ‘Serious’ received her very first Holy Eucharist a week ago. It was thrilling to once again help my child prepare for this day. It was amazing to witness her first Reconciliation. It was a joy to see her pick out her dress, …