Your faith formation sessions can prepare students to celebrate Mass more joyfully and fruitfully. Here are some activities to help children prepare to be more fully present in liturgy by engaging their heads, hearts, hands, and voices.

On the day that I graduate from college with my bachelor’s degree, my dad graduated from high school with his GED.

I don’t know who he was proudest of, me or himself.

During Advent, though we are preparing for our Lord’s birth, it is easy for us and our children to be pulled away from a time of reflection and prayer by the Christmas of decorations and presents. Children, especially, are understandably excited about the prospect of opening gifts under the tree on Christmas morning.

Years ago, I sat in on a religion class for kindergarten students in one of our Catholic schools. They gathered on a carpet in front of their teacher who had initiated a “discussion” about bosses. It was during a time when, “You’re not the boss of me!” was a common expression among youth.