Catechetical Resources During the Catholic Comeback
These resources, provided during the Safer-at-Home period, will be updated or replaced as we move into the "Catholic Comeback"
Archdiocesan Pages
Official Archdiocesan Updates
Daily Reflection Videos by our Bishops
Courageous Communion - Daily Living for Quarantined Catholics
Virtual Youth Ministry
For Catechetical Leaders
First Communion Instruction for Parish Leaders with sample letter
Video "Waiting for First Communion" to help children discuss postponed First Communion
Safe Environment and Virtual Learning Guidelines - Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Sample Letter Encouraging Parents in their Formation Role during this time - Melinda Diels, St Mary of the Hill
Sending Faith Home: A Guide for Catechetical Leaders amidst Coronavirus - Paul Canavese
Coronavirus Response Lesson for relieving anxiety with children– Loyola Press
Moving Faith Formation Online - John Roberto - free sign-up for guide
For Parents
Talking Points for Parents Talking with Children about Delayed First Communion
Video "Waiting for First Communion" to help children discuss postponed First Communion
“Helping Kids Cope with the coronavirus outbreak” by Dr. Joseph White - TeachingCatholicKids.com
Faithfully Navigating Coronavirus with Your Kids – English and Spanish versions
10 Tips for Teaching Religion Lessons to Your Children at Home - Joe Paprocki
Homeschool Tips For Non-Homeschoolers During Coronavirus School Closings
Coronavirus Response Lesson for relieving anxiety with children– Loyola Press
Seven ways to manage ‘COVID Stress Syndrome’ by Greg Popcak - OSV
Lord, Bless me on this Day – Music Video – Pflaum
First Communion
First Communion Celebrations Postponed
First Communion Instruction for Parish Leaders with sample letter
Talking Points for Parents Talking with Children about Delayed First Communion
Video "Waiting for First Communion" to help children discuss postponed First Communion
Supplemental Resources (see also the handouts and videos below under Praying at Home)
The Making of Communion Bread for Holy Communion - video of Passionist sisters
Free Videos from Blessed First Communion Program - Dynamic Catholic (scroll to 1st Communion Access)
The Weight of a Mass - video narration of a children's book
Weekly Videos for Kids and Families – Pflaum Gospel Weeklies
For Adults preparing Children
Sacraments 101: Eucharist (how we receive) - Busted Halo
Sacraments 201: Eucharist (what we believe) - Busted Halo
The Lord’s Supper – Quizzes for adults and for kids – Catechist magazine
Easter Activities for Families
Easter Season
Easter activities, prayers and lessons - Loyola Press
Easter – Strong Catholic Family Faith
Free Easter Resources for the Family – RCL Benziger
Lent and Easter Trivia Quiz from Catechist magazine and Answer key
Holy Week
Holy Week in the Domestic Church - Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Praying at Home in Absence of Mass
Watch Mass Online
Sunday Mass at St Francis Seminary - Heart of the Nation
Mass at Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee
Handouts, Videos, Worksheets for Kids and Families
Worship@Home – Liturgy of the Word for the Family – The Pastoral Center
All prayers, readings and even videos you need; with orientation video for parent.
Archdiocese has license, so use freely
The Gospel at Home handouts - Pflaum
Weekly Videos for Kids and Families – Pflaum Gospel Weeklies
Children Celebrate – Liturgy of the Word – Free printable leaflets for Spring – Pflaum
Order of Mass and an Act of Spiritual Communion - RCL Benziger
Weekly Mass Resources For Kids (When Attending Mass Isn’t Possible) – Catholic Icing
Mass and Prayer for Adults
Magnificat - free access to online Morning & Evening Prayer, daily Mass readings - computer or mobile
Magnificat en español - gratis
Living with Christ – Sunday Mass texts for free
Prayers
Prayer to Mary, Health of the Sick by Pope Francis
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe in this Time of Need by USCCB Pres. Archbishop Gomez
Prayer during an Epidemic – printable – by OSV
World Prayer for Healing – printable – by Pope Francis
Resources for Prayer and Engagement during Coronavirus – USCCB
Formed - Free Subscription
Augustine Institute is offering complimentary access to FORMED through May 20 for any parishes that do not currently have a FORMED subscription.
For free subscription, visit: https://leaders.formed.org/milwaukee
Useful ideas for parishes: How to Use Faith at Home
Free Resources from Catechetical Publishers
In the current situation, several publishers are making their materials available online for free.
Sadlier
Sadlier is providing free eBooks of regular print programs and related videos, Spanish and English, for remainder of the school year.
Login, identify resources you want to share with families, then share the code.
• We Believe, Grades K–6 / Creemos, Grades K–6
• We Live Our Faith, Grades 7–8+
• Believe Celebrate Live, Director's Guide / Creer Celebrar Vivir, Guide
• With Jesus Always, Reconciliation Bk, Mass Book, Grades 1–3
• Our Catholic Faith, Grades 4–6 / Nuestra fe catolica, Grades 4–6
• One Faith, One Lord, Grades 7–Adult / Una sola fe, un solo Señor, Grades 7–Adult
• We Believe and Pray, Grades 4–6 / Creemos y oramos, Grades 4–6
To access your Free site license, log in to Sadlier Connect at:
Our archdiocesan rep: Colleen McQuillan, cmcquillan@sadlier.com
Tech Support: TechSupport@sadlier.com or 800-264-8060, M-F, 9-8. EDT
RCL Benziger
RCL Benziger offers free access for 60 days (6/14/20) to all digital curriculum:
- Blest Are We Faith in Action K-8
- Be My Disciples/Sean mis Discípulos 1-8
- Blest Are We Faith & Word K-8/Bendecidos 1-8
- Credo High School
- Family Life K-8
To set up free access, contact our archdiocesan rep for parishes: George Barrett, 763-498-3971, gbarrett@rclbenziger.com
Our Sunday Visitor
OSV provides free access to Alive in Christ resources and digital books for 6 weeks, through Apil 2020.
Visit www.aliveinchrist.osv.com Under Parish-Program Resources:
'For Catechists' provides age specific plans on Lent and Easter.
'For Leaders', click on Seasonals/CST for Family+Faith Lent and Easter resources. Parent Pages can be downloaded and shared.
- Temporary passcode:
- User Name: salesdemo
- PW: aiccustomer827
For Early Childhood Lent and Easter, see www.allelu.com (NO passcodes necessary)
Click on Activities and Resources, Click Home Session Plans
The Allelu Show – Videos for young children with Dr. Joseph White – OSV
Free Teaching Catholic Kids weekly newsletter at: www.teachingcatholickids.com
Our archdiocesan contact: Katy Maier, 800-348-2440 ext. 6319, kmaier@osv.com
Pflaum
Pflaum offers free digital versions (English and Spanish) of Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Faith Formation Program for March-May 2020.
You can download lessons and email to parents OR give parents access using your password so they can print lessons at home.
See this Link for options how to share with families.
For free access, if not a current customer, call 800-543-4383.
Training Videos for Parents and Families
See: Other free resources from Bayard Faith Resources
Ignatius Press
Catholic Faith Technologies & Ignatius Press offer free Faith and Life courses through June 2020.
Use for First Communion or students in religious education.
To enroll go to: http://faithformation.zohosites.comQuestions: info@catholicfaithtech.com
Safe Environment and Virtual Learning Guidelines
Archdiocese of Milwaukee Safe Environment Office and Office for Schools
Emails between students and teachers should be sent through the school/parish assigned email accounts and/or school learning management system. For parish religious education programs emails to minors should go through the parent or guardian if no learning management system is available.
Video conferencing should be conducted in groups settings whenever possible. Any 1 to 1 interaction between a teacher and student should be conducted in a public place in the home and should be for instructional purposes this would include video conferencing or a phone call.
We recommend the following guidelines for 1 to 1 interactions between an adult and student:
1) A designated time should be set for the phone call preferably when a parent or guardian or other caregiver is also available to be present either on the call or in the room.
2) We recommend the teacher receive verbal confirmation from the child’s adult caregiver that they are present.
3) A log of all such interactions should be kept by the teacher/adult.
4) An audio recording to be kept of the phone call or video conference (if possible)