Religious Education Resources from CatholicMom.com - crafts, activities and lesson plans for catechism, ccd and relgious education teachers and parents

New Recommendations: When you order a book from Amazon by clicking on the title here at Catholic Mom, we earn a small commission on your purchase. Our commission enables CatholicMom.com to continue to grow and reach out to Catholic parents. Hover mouse over title for additional details Catechist's Companion: The Liturgical Year by Janet Schaeffler, O.P. The Year & Our Children: Catholic Family Celebrations for Every Season by Mary Reed Newland (Sophia Institute Press) The Complete Children's Liturgy Book: Liturgies of the World for Years A, B, C - This is one of the most used books in my library. This comprehensive book contains complete liturgies of the word for all three liturgical years, cycles A, B and C organized according to the liturgical calendar. The book's wonderful introduction gives a great overview of the nature and function of the Liturgy of the Word for children and describes the order used in the book. For each Sunday, the following items are included: Introduction, Sign of the Cross, Lighting of the Candles, "Sorry", Gloria, Gospel Acclamation, Gospel reading, Discussion, Activity, Creed and Closing Prayer. The bonus feature of the book is a great illustration/activity that can be reproduced each week. These activities are more than just coloring pages. Many are crafts, activities, paper dolls, worksheets and much more. I would recommend that this book be used not only by catechists, but also by parents looking to make the Sunday Liturgy of the Word truly come alive in their own homes. I refer to this reference frequently. You'll be happy that you invested in this resource for your students and for your own family! Click here for more information God Listens to Our Children: Kids' Prayers for Every Day of the Liturgical Year - This book helps children ages second through eighth grade learn more about God speaking to them through scripture each day. The book features a list of Mass readings for each day of the liturgical calendar, the refrain from each day's Responsorial Psalm, a brief personal prayer based on a reading and a daily point of reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This book is an ideal reference for families, classrooms, homeschoolers or school Principals.
Lent Easter Book (Living and Celebrating Our Catholic Customs and Traditions) The Lent –Easter Book is designed for use by teachers, DRE’s, parents and any one interested in passing on to children our faith traditions and symbols. The reproducible section contains material that you can use throughout the Lent-Easter season. There is a guide for the Sacrament of Reconciliation that can be reproduced and made by the students. One page plays on the scenes from the Way of the Cross can be used as dramatized prayers, discussion starters, or class plays. Two versions of Stations of the Cross booklets (one for younger children, one for older children) are provided. Many activities and reproducible pages.
Children Discover the Mass: Lessons, Crafts, Cutouts, and More	100 Activities Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church: For Grades 1 to 8 Faith Facts for Young Catholics: Drills, Games and Activities for Middle School Students More Faith Facts for Young Catholics: Fun Ways to Teach the Basics of Our Faith	Bundles of Faith and Tons of Fun: Easy Activities, Prayers, and Projects for Children
The Catholic Parent Book of Feasts: Celebrating the Church Year With Your Family	Big Book of Ideas for Children's Faith Formation: Fun Activities, Projects, Crafts	A Year of Celebration: Experiencing God through the Feast Days of the Church

Catholic Vacation Bible School Programs

Helpful Links for Religious Educators

CatholicMom.com Coloring and Gospel Activity Pages
CatholicMom.com Advent Resource Index
CatholicMom.com Lent Resource Index

USCCB Dept. of Education, Division of Catechesis/Religious Education

Resources for Catholic Educators - Close to 6000 links to resources for religion teachers and catechists. Includes lesson plans, religious clipart, coloring pages and information on hundreds of topics.

Catechist Connection - Online forum and more

Catholic Educator's Resource Center -offers supplementary and primary instructional resources for a variety of subject matters from a Catholic perspective

RelEd.org - resources for Catechists, parents, and teachers focusing on sharing faith in Jesus Christ. Includes information on RCIC process and resources.

Catholic Catechist - an email group for Catechists, activities and ideas and textbook suggestions

Catechist Magazine - features and archive of helpful online articles

NCEA Department of Religious Education

Catechetical Resources - wonderful classroom and supplemental resources for catechesis

Teaching Catholic Kids by Our Sunday Visitor - An online resource for teachers, catechists, and parents to help children grow in our Catholic Faith!

Faith First for Families - Games, Gospel reflections, information for parents, question and answer for children - a great resource

Little Children Pray - prayer resources for very young children

Life After Sunday - Excellent resources for individual or group study, RCIA candidates, and new Catholics

Come and See Catholic Bible Study Series - specifically designed for Catholic Moms and Children by Fr. John Ponessa, S.S.D. and Laurie Manhardt, Ph.D. (8/04)

Children's Prayers - Audio: 3 podcasts for teaching children familiar Christian prayers. Narrated by Sr.Maureen Skelly, SCH

BK's Schoolhouse - Supplies for homeschoolers and religious educators

Little Flowers Family Press - publishers and designers of books and unique items, to provide parents with the tools they need to inspire their children and uplift them in their vocations

Craft and Content Ideas

CatholicMom.com Coloring and Gospel Activity Pages
Relgious Education Lesson Plan Helpers
CatholicMom.com Advent Resource Index
CatholicMom.com Lent Resource Index

Open Wednesday - a tool to facilitate parents to prepare children to hear the Sunday Mass Readings. The picture and essay sides are intended to appeal to children in elementary through middle school grades. Hopefully, both sides will appeal to all ages. Teens are encouraged to help younger siblings understand and enjoy the Readings.

Memorare.com - includes excellent catechetical resources, quizzes and games! The purpose is to help Catholics rediscover the great theological, historical and devotional heritage of the Church. For non-Catholics, the site serves as a starting point for understanding the Faith

Come and See Catholic Bible Study Series - specifically designed for Catholic Moms and Children by Fr. John Ponessa, S.S.D. and Laurie Manhardt, Ph.D. (8/04)

Catholic Projects for Kids - adopt a saint, make a paper rosary, miniature bibles, advent projects and more - all free at this great site!

Catholic Catechist - a free online curriculum support service to help catechists find resources and ideas to use in lesson planning

Catholic Kids Net - CKNet is a Catholic club designed to help parents form their children in the faith

Kids Who Become Catholic - a feature article from St. Anthony Messenger press

Teaching Catholic Kids - a feature of Our Sunday Visitor

ChristianCrafters.com - this site contains some fun craft ideas for Sunday school classes

Liturgical Calendar Craft from CatholicCatechist.com

Church Crafts and Activities - Free online links and info for religious references and education. Topics with suggestions for activities and crafts, craft books, activity books, story books, crafts that people have come up with, worksheets, puzzles, quizzes, award certificate makers, bulletin boards, forms and letters, music, lesson plans, puppetry, skits, tips, Vacation Bible School, and teacher information, curriculums, craft and activities that are online to buy, links for crafts and activities, etc.

Apple Sauce Kids - Free Christian youth ministry resources: Crafts, Coloring Pages, Games, Puzzles, Activities, Sunday School lessons, Object Lessons, Educational Links, Clowning, Puppetry, Amateur Movie Making, and more.

Of Special Note: Teaching Catholic Kids offers an enthusiastic approach to catechesis with great articles and fun activities. This excellent feature is written by noted author Beth McNamara, who has written these three wonderful resources. The books are available for purchase through Amazon and your purchase helps support CatholicMom.com.
Christian Beginnings: Volume 1 by Beth Branigan McNamara. hundreds of great seasonal and everyday ideas to captivate children with the Faith, the lessons, games, songs, crafts, stories of Faith, prayer experiences, service projects, easy-to-do seasonal programs, 120 p, $17.47	Christian Beginnings, Vol.2, Great seasonal and ordinary time ideas for preschoolers in a easy to use binder, 120 p, $17.47	Christian Beginnings: Volume 3 For teachers, catechists, parents, and anyone else who has to entertain children, here are even more easy-to-do faith-building crafts and activities that cost practically nothing. Spiral-bound, 120 p, $13.97