Teaching Catholic Kids

01/10/2025

This weekend the Church celebrates the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. We know that — since Jesus was born without sin — he did not really need to be baptized. And yet, Jesus welcomes his own baptism as an example for the rest of us and as a sign of his true identity.

On Sunday we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Take some time this month to talk to your kids about their own baptism (even if you’ve told the story before!). Talk about who was there, how their godparents were chosen and the celebration after the ritual. Our kids love to hear fun details — our...

11/09/2024

Traditions are important to families. Singing the family birthday song, making grandma’s banana bread, praying in a special way at holiday meals — traditions are the foundation on which strong families are built. Likewise, the Church was built upon the rituals and traditions of the apostles and the early Christian communities. This body of ritual and teaching is called Tradition (with a capital T), and it serves as a unifying force in the Church today. This Tradition is so important that the teaching office of the Church, called the magisterium, safeguards it.

Traditions are important to families. Singing the family birthday song, making grandma’s banana bread, praying in a special way at holiday meals — traditions are the foundation on which strong families are built. Likewise, the Church was built upon the rituals and traditions of the apostles and ...

11/08/2024

Why is there a feast for the Basilica of St. John Lateran?

St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome is considered the mother church of all the Catholic churches in the Western world; inscribed on the church facade for all to see are […]

11/07/2024

How can we navigate parenting roadblocks when we would much rather activate the emergency escape pod? Taking pit stops for prayer and perspective can help us recognize the hidden blessings in our children’s less-than-ideal behavior.

Children have an uncanny knack for revealing great depths of love and joy while simultaneously commandeering parents’ last nerves and hijacking inner peace. Simply put, we love our kids like […]

11/06/2024

3 ways to tackle marriage stress

Catholic husband Cory Busse writes, if your marriage is anything like mine, there’s only one thing you can count on: perfect marital bliss 24/7! Only kidding! Marriage is hard work. Go online to find three ways to turn some of the most stressful marital moments into opportunities for a stronger un...

11/05/2024

Every Catholic is familiar with the sights, the sounds and even the smells that adorn the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Glowing candles, ringing bells and the aroma of incense are etched forever in our senses. These ancient sacramentals both inspire and excite us during our worship and adoration of Almighty God. Their use dates back thousands of years.

Every Catholic is familiar with the sights, the sounds and even the smells that adorn the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Glowing candles, ringing bells and the aroma of incense […]

11/04/2024

St. Charles Borromeo (1538-84) was the nephew of Pope Pius IV. Raised in luxury and prestige, he gave up his title and honors to become a priest and later was named archbishop. Much of his life was spent dealing with disasters such as the plague and widespread famine. At one time, he was feeding 3,000 people a day! St. Charles Borromeo, pray for us! https://www.teachingcatholickids.com/st-charles-borromeo/

11/03/2024

During election season, it’s hard to avoid the barrage of information about and advertising related to candidates and current issues. From signs and billboards to commercials, debates, radio spots and Internet banners, the election is all around us and our families. Children are very aware of approaching elections. Find help on TeachingCatholicKids.com. Search: Helping children understand elections

11/02/2024

Blessed All Souls' Day! With November comes an onslaught of holiday preparations. But let’s not forget that November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in purgatory. If the idea of explaining purgatory to your kids strikes fear in your heart, we have some help! There's a video, prayer ideas, and a craft to get started: https://www.teachingcatholickids.com/remembering-the-souls-in-purgatory-all-november-long/

11/01/2024

Blessed All Saints' Day! The feast of All Saints is about more than remembering the good deeds of those who went before us. Because, in celebrating these “unknown” saints, we also joyfully celebrate our own call to become saints, to be holy and beloved of God. https://www.teachingcatholickids.com/diary-of-a-catholic-mom-how-to-celebrate-all-saints-day/

10/31/2024

All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween) reminds us that the battle for our souls is real. On this one day, evil seems to manifest itself (a small Dracula trick-or-treating next to a miniature fireman), but in reality evil is always walking by our side . . . and unlike our kids’ trick-or-treat costumes, the disguises of evil are convincing. https://www.teachingcatholickids.com/halloween-is-the-holy-day-catholic-kids-shouldnt-miss/

10/30/2024

Fall brings us many fun celebrations. Let’s talk about Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day. These can each be a beautiful way to highlight and celebrate our Catholic faith with a wide range of ages: https://www.teachingcatholickids.com/all-saints-day-halloween-and-fall-fun/

10/29/2024

Trick or treat? It's a great opportunity to teach your Catholic kids about All Saints and All Souls Days! Remind your children that the roots of Halloween are to pray for the dead on the feast of All Souls Day. Explain to them that we all need the prayers and support of the faithful and there may be a soul who has no one to pray for them. Here's some help: https://www.teachingcatholickids.com/trick-or-treat-teaching-about-all-saints-and-all-souls-days/

10/28/2024

Halloween is more than a costume party; it is All Hallow’s Eve, the warm-up act for the main event the next day, All Saints Day. What better way to celebrate All Saints Day than with a party! Here's some help in organizing one: https://www.teachingcatholickids.com/7-ideas-for-the-best-all-saints-day-party-ever/

10/27/2024

A day to celebrate Christ’s resurrection and to renew our own baptismal vows for the coming week, Sunday is a feast day. We should celebrate with festive meals in honor of Christ and His resurrection. It should be day the family spends together, enriching the body, mind, and soul of each family member. https://www.teachingcatholickids.com/ordinary-time-sundays/

10/26/2024

If you are trying to pray an adapted form of the Liturgy of the Hours as a family, incorporate some form of noon prayer into your routine. Here's some help! https://www.teachingcatholickids.com/noontime-prayer/

10/25/2024

Are you working on your kids' All Saints Day parties for next week? We have some ideas! https://www.teachingcatholickids.com/your-best-costume-and-party-ideas-for-all-saints-day/

10/24/2024

The life of St. Anthony Mary Claret was so extraordinary that Pope Pius XII once called him “a giant in spirit.” Yet few Catholics today seem to know much about him. https://www.teachingcatholickids.com/who-is-st-anthony-claret/