Parent Tools

Parents are the first heralds of the gospel for their children.

"By virtue of their ministry of educating, parents are, through the witness of their lives, the first heralds of the Gospel for their children. Furthermore, by praying with their children, by reading the word of God with them and by introducing them through Christian initiation into the Body of Christ-both the Eucharistic and the ecclesial Body - they become fully parents, in that they are begetters not only of bodily life but also of the life that through the Spirit's renewal flows from the Cross and Resurrection of Christ." - On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World, #39

"Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues." - Catechism of the Catholic Church,#2223

"Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God. The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents." - Catechism of the Catholic Church,#2226

We're Here to Help

The staff of the Diocesan Department of Evangelization & Catechesis, in partnership with your local parish community, is here to assist you with any resources you need for the ongoing religious formation of your children. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to assist you in the religious education of your child. Our role is to help you fulfill the promise made to your child at Baptism, “accepting the responsibility of educating them in the practice of their faith”. The tools provided here are to help give you insight that identify milestones for your children as it relates to their faith development and resources that will help you in your lifelong journey of being disciples of Jesus Christ.

Contact Sherri Simmer for more information or questions you have regarding parent religious formation resources.