A St. Maria Goretti initiative to encourage parishioners to prayerfully bring the faith beyond the church building and into their homes. Prayerful Home will provide opportunities to learn about feasts, traditions, and teachings of the Catholic faith and to celebrate the vibrant Catholic culture through activities, food, videos, decorations, etc.
Below you will find a few facts about each liturgical season, monthly devotion, or feast day as well as some ideas about how you could bring that piece of Catholic culture into your home. We try to provide a variety of options for all home situations.
Tips if this is your first time celebrating at home:
Be realistic with your time and situation to pick something that works for you and your family right now. This isn't a competition with anyone else or with who you were.
Learn from this celebration when you decide what to do for the next one. Was it too much, not enough, or just right? Did you like the type of task or want to try something different?
It doesn't have to be perfect. Remember that God has a sense of humor. He knows you, and He loves you. He sees the effort you are putting in, and it makes Him happy.
It doesn't have to be big or flashy; it can be, but doesn't have to be.
Looking for more opportunities to celebrate the faith? Check out The Little Rose Shop which has a calendar with more feasts and celebrations that you can add to your personal calendar (Google, Outlook, Apple, Yahoo, Office 365).
Liturgical Seasons, Monthly Devotions, and Catholic Feast Days
Do you have a favorite Saint or holiday that you want to celebrate but isn't listed above? Here are some details to consider for planning your own celebration:
What is the nationality of the saint or holiday? Pick a menu based on that nationality. (For example, St. Maria Goretti is an Italian saint. Make some pasta for dinner!)
Colors are a versatile option. Possible sources of color: nationality/flag, symbols of the saint or a characteristic of the saint,. (For example: Ordinary time is indicated by the color green. Mary is symbolized by the color blue. Martyrs are symbolized by red. Purity by white.)
Is there a specific characteristic or action that saint is known for? Try to live that out on their feast day.... St. Therese of Lisieux is known for her Little Way of doing small good deeds for love of Christ; try to find opportunities to do small good deeds. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is for caring for the poor, sick, and marginalized; try to serve that community through actions or prayers.
Find a prayer to that saint requesting their intercession.