Renewal for Parents | Diocese of La Crosse

The Renewal Project

Cultivate a Domestic Church. The family is considered the “domestic Church”, where faith is lived and passed on.

Create a Sacred Space:
- Set up a prayer corner with a crucifix, icons, or religious images.
- Include candles, rosaries, and a family Bible to encourage prayerful moments.
Celebrate the Liturgical Year:
- Observe feast days, fasts, and seasons like Lent and Advent together.
- Practice Catholic traditions (Advent wreath, Stations of the Cross, May Crowning).
Involve Children in Faith Activities:
- Encourage children to participate in youth groups, altar serving, and parish activities.
- Read Catholic children’s books ($) and discuss saints’ lives or Bible stories.

Frequent the Sacraments:

Mass (click for a list of Mass times in the Diocese of La Crosse, or anywhere): Prioritize attending Sunday Mass and, if possible, daily Mass.
Confession (click for a list of parishes in the Diocese of La Crosse): Regularly receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation to experience God’s mercy and remain spiritually renewed.
Eucharistic Adoration (click for a listing of parishes in the Diocese of La Crosse offering Eucharistic Adoration.): Spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is a powerful way to grow in intimacy with Him.

Keep your faith vibrant and growing by embracing ongoing formation.

Attend Catechetical Events, Catholic conferences, workshops, or formation series.
Enroll in online theology courses, such as the ones from Augustine Institute, or Bible studies at your parish or nearby parish.
Be open to the Holy Spirit. Renewal requires being receptive to the movement of the Holy Spirit.
Practice discernment as a family and be willing to take new steps in faith.

Create a habit of prayer as a family that is doable and consistent.

Listen to Catholic Podcasts or YouTube Channels that Catholic parenting in relatable ways. Examples are:

Catholic Parenting: Connection, not Perfection (with Beth Sri): How do we navigate the anxieties and pressures that come with parenting? Beth Sri joins Dr. Sri for an honest conversation about the challenges of parenting, particularly when you’re trying to raise your kids in the Catholic Faith. Together, they share valuable insights and advice to help you parent from the Lord’s peace rather than from a place of fear and anxiety.
This Is Jen: Hosted by former atheist convert, author, comedian, and mother of 6 Jennifer Fulwiler, This Is Jen is a combination of humor, philosophy, and mom life that manages to be challenging as well as encouraging. You’ll gain personal insight, feel like Jen’s best friend, and you’ll laugh along the way.
Messy Family Project: We are here to offer encouragement and set realistic expectations for you, especially if you never had an experience of a vibrant Christian family life, or if you are not familiar with how to raise children at all. Just remember – you don’t have to be perfect. The reality is that parenting and family life is messy.
Ascension Press has a variety of great Catholic podcasts to choose from.

Practical tips for parents:
- Embrace your authority and role as your family’s spiritual leader. God has given you your children, and with that gift, He has also given you spiritual authority.
- Catholic Answers (Article): “Spiritual Headship”
- Give your children a blessing by tracing the sign of the cross on their forehead before they leave for school, before bed, etc.
- Practice being 100% present during conversations with your children by stopping what you are doing and eliminating as many distractions as you can (put the phone down, turn the television off, etc.).
- Remember to say, “God loves you,” “I love you,” “I am proud of you,” and “I am thankful for you.”