Family Resources
Resources for living out the faith in the Domestic Church, plus being in the world but not of it.
The Christian family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit. In the procreation and education of children it reflects the Father’s work of creation. It is called to partake of the prayer and sacrifice of Christ. Daily prayer and the reading of the Word of God strengthen it in charity. The Christian family has an evangelizing and missionary task. (Catechism, 2205)
Online Resources for Catholic Families
TV/Radio/Internet/Movies/Performing Arts
For Married Couples & the Engaged
Catholic Speakers & Faith Formation Opportunities
Links for your Kids to Explore
Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Luke 18:16
It is quite challenging to raise children today with so many obstacles to leading a holy and Christian life. We simply can’t do that without prayer and the practice of the Sacraments, especially Mass and Confession. To help you as a parent, we offer these guidelines and tips for helping you become an active Catholic that will, in turn, help you to raise your children in our Catholic faith.
Children are always welcome at mass
We encourage you to have your children attend mass with you as Christ calls them too. We highly encourage you to assist (attend & pray) at mass with your children in the main area of the church known as the nave. Our Sunday 9:30 am mass is our “family” mass.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Takes place during our 9:30 am mass. Please bring your children to mass with you. They are dismissed before the First Reading and return after the homily.
Crying Room
If your child is becoming disruptive we have an upstairs crying room where you may take them temporarily until they are quiet again. Please try to calm your child so that you can return to the nave of the church as soon as possible.
A Place for the Little Ones
Babysitting is available during the 9:30am mass. Please contact Stacey Mamea for information by email or call 916.761.4725.
Baptism for Infants & Children
Please review the information on our Sacraments page.
Altar Servers
If your child has completed the 4th grade and has already received First Holy Communion, they are eligible to serve at mass. For information, please contact Stan Devereux by email or call 916.427.6457.
Family Choir
The 4th Sunday of the month, our family choir (adults and children) leads the congregation in song at the family mass. If your family is interested in singing, please contact Ben Billeci by email or call 916.383.6155.
Teen Mass
The 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month at our Sunday 6 pm mass, our teen choir sings and assists with reading and ushering.
Second Sunday Social
Enjoy our social after all morning masses on the second Sunday of each month. Held either in the garden or Giovanni Hall, all are invited to come and have some tasty treats, visit with old friends or make some new friends. It’s a great way to deepen your connection to the parish. For more info, please contact Stephanie Epolite by email or at 916.565.7433.
Online Resources for Catholic Families
The future of the world and the Church passes through the family” (Familiaris Consortio, #79)- John Paul II
Catholic.net – Church documents, news, and more.
Domestic-Church.com – Promoting a Catholic culture in every family.
Family Life Center Int’l – Resources geared toward deepening a family’s love and knowledge of their faith.
CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.
Catholic Moms.com – Another web site for Catholic Moms.
Dads.org (St. Joseph Covenant Keepers) – Christian Fatherhood
Fathersforgood.org – Guiding men in the great adventure of fatherhood.
“…And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19
Our Holy Father – Pope Benedict XVI
The Bishop of Sacramento – Jaime Soto
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
California Catholic Conference
Mass Times – A Ministry to Traveling Catholics – find Mass Times worldwide
The Bible:
New American version – used at mass
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Fathers of the Church & their writings – these are the early Christians who were taught by the Apostles.
Documents of the Second Vatican Council (AKA Vatican II)
Encyclicals of recent Popes:
Benedict XVI (2005 – )
John Paul II (1978 – 2005)
Paul VI (1963 – 1978) – direct link to Humanae Vitae (1968)
John XXIII (1958 – 1963)
Pius XII (1939 – 1958)
Pius XI (1922 – 1939)
Benedict XV (1914 – 1922)
Pius X (1903 – 1914)
Leo XIII (1878 – 1903)
TV/Radio/Internet/Movies/Performing Arts
The media must avoid becoming spokesmen for economic materialism and ethical relativism, true scourges of our time. Instead, they can and must contribute to making known the truth about humanity, and defending it against those who tend to deny or destroy it. One might even say that seeking and presenting the truth about humanity constitutes the highest vocation of social communication. – Pope Benedict XVI, World Communications Day Message 2008
TV & Radio
EWTN – Global Catholic Television & Radio
Comcast – Channel 233
Surewest – Channel 46
Dish Network – Channel 261
DirecTV – Channel 370
EWTN radio available on Immaculate Heart Radio – KSMH 1620 AM
Family Theater – Original classic radio shows that entertain and inspire. Produced by the late Father Patrick Peyton, CSC. Programs air at 8AM on KSMH 1620 AM Immaculate Heart Radio.
Internet
That Catholic Show – A Catholic series of videos about the Catholic faith that is fun to watch and informative at the same time.
Real Catholic TV – increase your personal holiness through catechesis and evangelization about the truth of the Christian faith.
Movies
Decent Films – Film appreciation, information and criticism informed by Christian faith.
Performing Arts
St. Luke Productions – Dedicated to evangelizing and renewing the culture through theater and the media.
The Catholic Herald Official newspaper of the Diocese of Sacramento
Headline Bistro – Bringing readers the top, daily headlines that Catholics need to know.
The National Catholic Register
Zenit.org – The World seen from Rome.
For Married Couples & the Engaged
“…in the example of Mary, Joseph and Jesus, we come to appreciate even more fully the sacredness of the family, which in God’s plan is based on the lifelong fidelity of a man and a woman consecrated by the marriage covenant and accepting of God’s gift of new life. How much the men and women of our time need to reappropriate this fundamental truth, which stands at the foundation of society, and how important is the witness of married couples for the formation of sound consciences and the building of a civilization of love!” – Pope Benedict XVI, Homily at Mass in Nazareth, May 14, 2009
Catholic Engaged Encounter – marriage preparation program
Couple to Couple League – Information and instruction on Natural Family Planning (NFP). PLEASE NOTE: NFP is not the Rhythm Method.
Pope Paul VI Institute – International Center for the Study of Morally & Professionally Acceptable Reproductive Health Services – put simply this web site is the science & study behind NFP.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter – For married couples who desires a richer, fuller life together.
Retrouvaille – Program providing tools to help put your marriage in order again.
Sacramento Food Bank Services Giving a hand up, not a hand out.
Sacramento Loaves and Fishes Survival Services for the homeless.
Sacramento Life Center Pregnancy Resource Center – Medical & Counseling Services
Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home
A place for women facing a crisis pregnancy.
Option Line If you are pregnant, need help, & live outside of the Sacramento area, Option Line will help you find the nearest pregnancy resource center.
Courage – Ministry to those with same-sex attractions.
Porn No More – Helping those with pornography addictions.
National Catholic Bioethics Center – Defending the dignity of the human person in health care and the life sciences through educational programs, publishing, consultation and research.
Catholics for the Common Good – become better equipped to build a civilization of love and a culture of life.
Catholic Speakers & Faith Formation opportunties
Catholic Forum (formerly the Catholic Breakfast Club) – Hear dynamic and inspirational speakers and network with other committed Christians.
Diocesan Lay Formation Institute – Become more knowledgeable of the Catholic faith, to grow spiritually, and to receive training for specific ecclesial ministries within the Catholic community.
St. Mary’s Young Adult Ministry
Sacramento Catholic Life – Young adults in their 20’s & 30’s come together to learn and grow in their Catholic faith through discussions of the Gospel and/or activities based on the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Single Adult Ministries (Diocese of Sacramento)
4 Marks – A Catholic social networking site. “Sharing, Connecting, and Growing in the community of faith.”
Links for your Kids to explore
Cat.Chat Audio show for kids that helps them to learn and love their Catholic faith.
EWTN Kids Explore a fun village and learn about our faith (requires password registration)
EWTN Kids Radio Show airs Saturday mornings at 8:30AM on KSMH 1620 AM Immaculate Heart Radio.
Holy Heroes – Audio programs and streamed video series such as Lenten Adventure
Camp Pendola – Summer camp of the Sacramento Diocese
Pure Fashion – an international faith based program designed for girls 14-18 to help young women re-discover and re-affirm their innate value and authentic femininity.