The four books in Prayer Works for Teens offer prayers with themes for every kind of youth ministry setting in which prayer takes place. Each book includes three sets of prayer experiences, and each set consists of four prayer formats: a short prayer, a medium-length reflection prayer, a long ritual prayer, and a family prayer. Every prayer set focuses on a different image or object. Handouts are included for each prayer. An appendix in each volume lists the prayers for all four volumes indexed by Scripture citations and themes, making it easy for youth ministers to match up a prayer with their specific needs. The family component is a unique aspect of Prayer Works. So often families have no idea what their teenage members do at parish events. However, Prayer Works gives you an easy way to involve parents and siblings in the prayer experienced by the teen, including family handouts and sample letters for families. Book 2: Images and Themes Leaves: celebrations, hellos and good-byes, vitality and health Nuts: commitment, humility, humor, self-disclosure Four Elements (earth, wind, fire, water): science, images of God, creation, ecology

How parents approach the task of passing on religious faith and practice to their children How do American parents pass their religion on to their children? At a time of overall decline of traditional religion and an increased interest in personal “spirituality,” Religious Parenting investigates the ways that parents transmit religious beliefs, values, and practices to their kids. We know that parents are the most important influence on their children’s religious lives, yet parents have been virtually ignored in previous work on religious socialization. Renowned religion scholar Christian Smith and his collaborators Bridget Ritz and Michael Rotolo explore American parents’ strategies, experiences, beliefs, and anxieties regarding religious transmission through hundreds of in-depth interviews that span religious traditions, social classes, and family types all around the country. Throughout we hear the voices of evangelical, Catholic, Mormon, mainline and black Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist parents and discover that, despite massive diversity, American parents share a nearly identical approach to socializing their children religiously. For almost all, religion is important for the foundation it provides for becoming one’s best self on life’s difficult journey. Religion is primarily a resource for navigating the challenges of this life, not preparing for an afterlife. Parents view it as their job, not religious professionals’, to ground their children in life-enhancing religious values that provide resilience, morality, and a sense of purpose. Challenging longstanding sociological and anthropological assumptions about culture, the authors demonstrate that parents of highly dissimilar backgrounds share the same “cultural models” when passing on religion to their children. Taking an extensive look into questions of religious practice and childrearing, Religious Parenting uncovers parents’ real-life challenges while breaking innovative theoretical ground.

This booklet contains the statement of the United States Catholic Conference, "Putting Children and Families First: A Challenge for Our Church, Nation, and World," and provides a comprehensive resource for organizing church and community action to improve the conditions of children in the nation. A practical planning guide, support materials, clip art, bulletin quotes, and liturgical and preaching guides and models are included. Chapters on "Catholic School Resources" and "Religious Education Resources" (p.41-44) provide a specific link to education. Discussion questions and resource information complete the guide. (EH)

What is really happening in the Catholic Church in North America? Are parishes thriving or dying? Is dissatisfaction among Catholics growing or are they becoming more engaged in the evangelizing mission of the Church? Businessman, professor, and philanthropist, William E. Simon Jr. has been highly influenced by the dynamic and inspiring Catholic parishes he has attended for more than 25 years. In 2012, he founded Parish Catalyst, an organization devoted to researching and supporting the health and development of Catholic parishes. Great Catholic Parishes looks at Simon's insights and the success stories of 244 vibrant parishes to show what makes them great. In 2012 and 2013, Simon and his team studied 244 Catholic parishes to determine what made them exceptional. The study found that all of the parishes shared four foundational practices that led to a profound sense of belonging within their parish communities and a deepening commitment to discipleship: Share leadership by using clergy and lay staff with the best talents and skills to direct the community Foster spiritual maturity and plan for discipleship by offering a variety of formation programs and ministry opportunities to reach parishioners at differing points in their lives Excel on Sundays by dedicating significant time, energy, and money to liturgical celebrations that parishioners and visitors find welcoming Intentionally evangelize by challenging insiders to look outward and providing service programs, social events, global mission opportunities, and pastoral care at key sacramental moments that focus on inviting outsiders to deeper relationship with Christ and the Church. In Great Catholic Parishes, Simon shares personal stories such as finding a welcoming parish home and what he learned about evangelizing from a mission trip to Kenya. Pastors from exceptional parishes offer helpful ideas, strategic advice, and practical strategies, as well as anecdotes about lay ministry development initiatives and reworking religious education so that it is family focused and web-based. You will also learn creative solutions to familiar challenges such as spiritual stagnation among parishioners, reconciling diverse needs in the parish, allowing the pastor to focus on pastoring and preaching, and reaching youth and young adults who leave the Church in disproportionate numbers. Each chapter closes with either crucial takeaways or a summary of practical challenges that will help pastors and leaders focus on growth and excellence. Great Catholic Parishes received an Honorable Mention in the 2017 Catholic Press Association Book Awards: Pastoral Ministry.

This charming two-in-one book lets children know that priests and nuns are just ordinary people. The simple text is complemented by warm and humorous illustrations by an award-winning artist. For children in prekindergarten up to age seven.

This volume provides all who minister to young people with an effective blueprint for building a truly meaningful ministry

Hundredfold is a comprehensive guide to starting and running a parish vocation committee in a Catholic parish, including step-by-step instructions for over 50 activities.