The Family Zone

The August Travel Itinerary and August Trip Planners are now up on our website, along with Spotify playlists, videos, handouts and our growing photo gallery! What a great summer we are having journeying with you! It's never too late to start; all weeks are archived right on the site for your access as well! This week, week 5 of our Summer Journey of Faith, we explore the idea of what is hiding BENEATH the surface: enjoy a treasure hunt, eat a buried treasure treat, have a scavenger hunt style shopping spree for charity and draw a silhouette of yourself or another!

Download this week's trip planner and watch another diocesan family bring our Gospel to life below!

St. Ignatius of Loyola’s dedication to a strong spiritual life meant developing a strong sense of patience. God works at God’s pace, and the works of prayer come in God’s time.

What Is It?

A fruit of the Spirit

The ability to endure difficult circumstances

Patience combats the sin of wrath

Live It Out!

Before you react, breathe. Take a few deep breaths before you react to situations this week.

Link it to hope, by waiting with anticipation for something that is coming up in your life.

Prayers of the Faithful

After hearing the readings and responding to them by expressing our faith through the creed, we join together in prayers of petition. We ask God as the Church to help us transform the world. You will often hear us pray for our Church and civic leaders, the sick and deceased, and any number of other issues pressing at the time. The answer to the prayer is not always immediate or noticeable. But with the devotion to prayer and how it can transform us that St. Ignatius teaches about, we can become a people of deep prayer.

Do you pray as a family? Next time you do start with a profession of your faith, even a simple Sign of the Cross expresses faith in the Trinity.

The Examen is a wonderful way for families to share prayer time at the end of the day. Here is a simple process for praying an Examen. If you would like to include some music in your prayer time, we've included a hymn as well!

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/ignatian-spirituality/examen-and-ignatian-prayer/how-can-i-pray-try-the-daily-examen/

Tip of the week: create a personal prayer mantra. A mantra is a short, powerful phrase that you can repeat when worries or stress are mounting. Here are some examples:

• Dear God, help me take it one day at a time!
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
• All things work together for good
• I've gotten through (insert your challenge here) I can get through this. Holy Spirit, guide me
• Be not afraid
• God is by my side
• I am not alone in this
• I pray in gratitude for all I have and all that I am
• St. (insert your favorite saint), Pray for me!

St. Ignatius of Loyola was born in Gipúzkoa, the heart of the Basque county of Spain. The Basque people are known for their hospitality. The Loyola family crest includes two wolves on either side of a hanging cauldron, symbolizing hospitality. What better way to celebrate the July 31 feast than with a traditional Basque meal.

St. Ignatius Meal

Enjoy a family friendly competition with some or all of these Minute to Win It games with your family: https://www.scarymommy.com/minute-to-win-it-games-for-kids/

Do something in a different way! Paint or draw with your feet

Eat your food with your non-dominant hand or with chopsticks

Speak in a different accent for the day Do the "Draw on my Back" challenge! https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52680418

For Children:

"Waiting is Not Easy" By Mo Willems. A delightful story about the difficulty of having patience!

Watch and listen to the story below!

For Teens:

"Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board" By Bethany Hamilton Bethany Hamilton survived a shark attack and lost her arm in the process. Read about how she fought to return to her passion.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester

Debtor in Possession

Email: oec@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Location: Diocese of Rochester, Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-328-3210