Prayers and Resources for Catholic Families During a Challenging Time

Answering Questions and Calming Kids’ Fears

Beginning the Conversation

Offering Reassurance

In this time of crisis, young children may worry they or someone they love could become sick. Help affirm children’s sense of safety through reassurance and support. Tell children that their loved ones are doing everything that they can to be safe and healthy. Share comfort in a reminder of God’s love and knowing that he is always with us. Remind children that they can always talk and listen to God in prayer, too.

Prayer Resources

We can pray to God anywhere and anytime! Amidst the uncertainty and fear of the COVID-19 outbreak, we can pray:

• for health
• for those who are most vulnerable or those who are sick,
• for those who have died,
• for families who have lost loved ones,
• for world peace,
• that we will attend to the needs of others ,
• for the helpers,
• and always, to have hope and trust in God’s love for us.

Blessing the Helpers

God has blessed the world with men and women who protect others from harm and who provide help in challenging times. Ask young children, “Who are our helpers?” Responses may include that of health care providers like doctors and nurses, ministers, and those who are working tirelessly to provide needed services and supplies during a crisis. Children may also name family members or friends who provide them with help when they need it. Affirm all children’s responses and make suggestions to show how many helpers there are.

Explain to the children that the Church is also helper. Ministries within the Church reach out to people in need. Tell children the ways the Church, and your Catholic school or parish, provides help to people during times of tragedy and challenge. There may even be a way for a group of children or your family to support these ministries.

Ask children when and where they see helpers in their community, school, and parish. They will realize that helpers are all around them, and that there are so very many caring people in the world. We can thank God for these helpers, and ask God to bless them in their important work and ministries.

Offering Help

In times of fear and crisis, children may feel helpless and wonder, “How can I help?” Guide them to let their love and respect for others shine in all that they do. Children can perform small acts of caring, like speaking kind words and providing comfort to others. Small acts of caring work together to make the world a kinder and safer place and are a reminder of the good that there is in the world.

Young children may feel empowered when they realize they can be helpers.

Download and share a printable Helping Prayer Poem Activity to help young children recognize what community helpers exemplify and do, and ways that they can be helpers to others. Share the poem aloud or as an echo, reading a line and inviting children to repeat after you. Invite children to complete the poem with words on the line provided and/or a picture.

Going the “Distance”

In many places, social distancing is now the new normal. This time “away” from regular routines and people may offer an opportunity for reflection and renewal and a time that can be used to grow closer to those we hold dear, even if it means connecting via a screen!

Reflection Resources

Schedule some time for quiet reflection during social distancing. Families might consider taking part in one of these activities:

• A 10-minute retreat
• A simple Catholic family prayer service
• Reflections on the Our Father

Professional Development Resources

If time permits, social distancing can also offer additional hours in the day that could be used for professional or catechist development. Here are some ideas for free professional learning, too!

• Take a Masterclass
• Complete a mini Scripture Course
• Explore Sadlier’s library of virtual events for professional development

Taking Religious Education Online

If Catholic schools and parishes are temporarily closed for religious education, Sadlier offers digital resources that can be used to supplement or fully implement a catechetical program online. Get resources here to support parents in building family faith at home, to get eBooks into the hands of current students, and to go fully digital with a program that allows you to virtually send assignments, communicate directly with families, and generate reports that ensure students are learning when they have to be out of the religious education classroom.

Support Parents in Building Family Faith at Home

Many parents have found themselves working from home, temporarily managing their children’s schooling and trying to manage a household in crisis mode. Help them build family faith at home in everyday ways with Catholic printable resources for families.

Accessing eBooks

Did you know that if you’re a current Sadlier customer, you can access free eBook versions of your print student editions for the rest of the year? Sadlier Connect has the eBooks. Don’t forget there’s always online program-specific content on Sadlier Connect at www.Religion.SadlierConnect.com that supports online faith formation at home.

Religious Education Online

Sadlier’s new program, Christ In Us, can be implemented face-to-face, fully online, or as a blended model of both. This program can really support programs who have temporarily transitioned to a virtual model in the current crisis. Catechists can send assignments to students and families, share rich media like engaging videos and audio experiences, and get reports when students complete tasks. Keep lines of communication open with built-in messaging tools too. Click here to learn more about how Christ In Us can support your program today.

In Summary

Sadlier is here to support you! If you need help with your current Sadlier program, here are some contact resources for you:

- Your sales representative, visit www.SadlierReligion.com/FindMyReligionRep

- Customer Service, email CustomerService@sadlier.com or call 1-800-221-5175, available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. EDT

- Tech Support, email Support@sadlierconnect.com or call 1-800-264-8060, available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. EDT