I Need Your "Whole Family" Parish Event Ideas

[in_servitude]

I’m in a program that requires that I “start a new ministry” in my parish. I’ve discussed this with the pastor, and he would like to start a ministry that is focused on the “whole family.”

The idea is that we’d like to have an event, maybe a retreat, maybe a weekend or weekly thing - something - that our parish does that is inclusive off all aspects of the family. Very young kids, teens, adults, older folks - everyone.

Do you know of examples of this kind of activity in your parish? Do you have any links to sites that explain other events like this?

Thanks!!

 

[Xantippe]

I think your pastor needs to be a little more specific.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I’m in a program that requires that I “start a new ministry” in my parish. I’ve discussed this with the pastor, and he would like to start a ministry that is focused on the “whole family.”

The idea is that we’d like to have an event, maybe a retreat, maybe a weekend or weekly thing - something - that our parish does that is inclusive off all aspects of the family. Very young kids, teens, adults, older folks - everyone.

Do you know of examples of this kind of activity in your parish? Do you have any links to sites that explain other events like this?

Thanks!!

My daughter’s parish has family movie nights complete with popcorn and soft drinks. They are in the country and have some acreage and also an outdoor altar and in the summer they have family campouts with Mass, games, an outdoor movie. People bring their tents and grills, etc.

They also have family picnics with Mass, games, music etc. In the fall there is a big garage and antique sale held on the church grounds with food and fun also for the family–there is a great playground area. However, I don’t think they are having it this year.

What is nice is that these events are also attended by adults without children or grandparents.

 

[in_servitude]

I think your pastor needs to be a little more specific.

The only constraint is “appropriate for the whole family.” We have plenty of ministries that are for a particular demographic. None of them (other than Mass) are appropriate for the whole family.

I brought a long list of ideas to my pastor. He selected this one on my list.

I put this on my list because I am concerned about the way that the family is generally pulled apart in our society.

I suspect that the LDS folks have this concept understood very well.

 

[in_servitude]

My daughter’s parish has family movie nights complete with popcorn and soft drinks. They are in the country and have some acreage and also an outdoor altar and in the summer they have family campouts with Mass, games, an outdoor movie. People bring their tents and grills, etc.

They also have family picnics with Mass, games, music etc. In the fall there is a big garage and antique sale held on the church grounds with food and fun also for the family–there is a great playground area. However, I don’t think they are having it this year.

What is nice is that these events are also attended by adults without children or grandparents.

A camping event sounds good.

 

[vallancec]

My Parish has a family breakfast once a month. You pay what you can and the KofC cooks. It’s done wonders to bring families together and talk to people in the parish you may not have a chance to.

May God bless you.

 

[Sunbreak]

Parish breakfasts and dinners are always popular. A themed festival if you are an ethnic parish works well too. You can have movie nights on lives of the saints. Parish picnics can be fun.

 

[CallMeDad]

Parish event for the whole family:

Hey, how about a Mass? Just kidding.

Where my family camps, I’ve seen massive campouts attended by church groups. Long on fun, short on money, and inter-generational.

 

[Cat]

Our parish has a lot of family events, including the movie nights during the summer. The movie night attracts families with children, but not older people and middle-aged people who don’t enjoy sitting outside on lawn chairs watching a kids’ movie. But it’s sure nice for the families with children. Popcorn and soda are served.

One event that attracted around 600 people of all ages was a Pie Day. Volunteers made pies (and the organizer brought in a lot of pies made by one of the local coffee shops jic there weren’t enough pies), and a crew of priests and other familiar parishioners judged the pies and selected the best. They also served beer and canned soda. The event was held outside.

It was really fun! They hired a country western group to sing, and they did some really nice music that was decent and danceable. Old and young seemed to enjoy it. My older daughter happened to be in town; she’s a stage manager who’s been all over the world. She loved the event and didn’t want to leave. She ate four pieces of pie and a large beer! (She’s skinny as a rail because of her marathon running!) She also had fun chatting with a lot of people.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Our parish has a lot of family events, including the movie nights during the summer. The movie night attracts families with children, but not older people and middle-aged people who don’t enjoy sitting outside on lawn chairs watching a kids’ movie. But it’s sure nice for the families with children. Popcorn and soda are served.

One event that attracted around 600 people of all ages was a Pie Day. Volunteers made pies (and the organizer brought in a lot of pies made by one of the local coffee shops jic there weren’t enough pies), and a crew of priests and other familiar parishioners judged the pies and selected the best. They also served beer and canned soda. The event was held outside.

It was really fun! They hired a country western group to sing, and they did some really nice music that was decent and danceable. Old and young seemed to enjoy it. My older daughter happened to be in town; she’s a stage manager who’s been all over the world. She loved the event and didn’t want to leave. She ate four pieces of pie and a large beer! (She’s skinny as a rail because of her marathon running!) She also had fun chatting with a lot of people.

What a cute idea. I am going to suggest that to my daughter for her parish. I don’t think it would go over in mine, though.

 

[in_servitude]

Parish breakfasts and dinners are always popular. A themed festival if you are an ethnic parish works well too. You can have movie nights on lives of the saints. Parish picnics can be fun.

Your note about a themed festival could be fun. We could have an event that celebrates the life of a saint in their historical context. Perhaps playing games common to that time.

 

[in_servitude]

Where my family camps, I’ve seen massive campouts attended by church groups. Long on fun, short on money, and inter-generational.

I like the camping idea. It does lend itself to a great deal of fun that doesn’t have to be complicated.

 

[in_servitude]

Our parish has a lot of family events, including the movie nights during the summer. The movie night attracts families with children, but not older people and middle-aged people who don’t enjoy sitting outside on lawn chairs watching a kids’ movie. But it’s sure nice for the families with children. Popcorn and soda are served.

One event that attracted around 600 people of all ages was a Pie Day. Volunteers made pies (and the organizer brought in a lot of pies made by one of the local coffee shops jic there weren’t enough pies), and a crew of priests and other familiar parishioners judged the pies and selected the best. They also served beer and canned soda. The event was held outside.

It was really fun! They hired a country western group to sing, and they did some really nice music that was decent and danceable. Old and young seemed to enjoy it. My older daughter happened to be in town; she’s a stage manager who’s been all over the world. She loved the event and didn’t want to leave. She ate four pieces of pie and a large beer! (She’s skinny as a rail because of her marathon running!) She also had fun chatting with a lot of people.

I like it. Very simple fun. Very inclusive fun.

This gives me the idea of a square dance. I remember doing that once in college. It allows for easy mingling (not my strong point), and can allow the kiddos to participate.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I’m in a program that requires that I “start a new ministry” in my parish. I’ve discussed this with the pastor, and he would like to start a ministry that is focused on the “whole family.”

The idea is that we’d like to have an event, maybe a retreat, maybe a weekend or weekly thing - something - that our parish does that is inclusive off all aspects of the family. Very young kids, teens, adults, older folks - everyone.

Do you know of examples of this kind of activity in your parish? Do you have any links to sites that explain other events like this?

Thanks!!

I have toyed with this idea myself. I attended a men’s retreat at my parish last year that needed some help.

A family retreat:

How about this. I don’t know if you are in a big or small parish, rich or poor, but this can be adapted for any parish.

A retreat for the whole family.

1. Childcare for the toddle age.
2. a type of “Sunday school” for ages 3-4 and up.
3. A "youth event
4. Adult events

Morning, Men’s and women’s separate sessions. Children and teens/youth do their thing
For the men’s and women’s sessions you could bring in speakers or just have some from your parish. Perhaps some religious from a nearby community.
Mid morning, breakout small groups.
Lunch. All families eat together. (this is a family conference)
Afternoon.
parents: should be a marriage and parenting topic/speaker.
Non married adults- a separate topic and/or speaker.
Youth, perhaps a good youth speaker
late afternoon. Breakout groups

dinner: BBQ or such with opportunities to share.

home.

As you can see you really have a lot of wiggle room to change it up to fit your parish.

You have dealt with the biggest obstacle of childcare for the adults, addressed most demographics and have a great opportunity to enrich the faith and bring families in the parish together.

I am from the NW. I would be a cheap date to bring in as a speaker…

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Our parish has a lot of family events, including the movie nights during the summer. The movie night attracts families with children, but not older people and middle-aged people who don’t enjoy sitting outside on lawn chairs watching a kids’ movie. But it’s sure nice for the families with children. Popcorn and soda are served.

One event that attracted around 600 people of all ages was a Pie Day. Volunteers made pies (and the organizer brought in a lot of pies made by one of the local coffee shops jic there weren’t enough pies), and a crew of priests and other familiar parishioners judged the pies and selected the best. They also served beer and canned soda. The event was held outside.

It was really fun! They hired a country western group to sing, and they did some really nice music that was decent and danceable. Old and young seemed to enjoy it. My older daughter happened to be in town; she’s a stage manager who’s been all over the world. She loved the event and didn’t want to leave. She ate four pieces of pie and a large beer! (She’s skinny as a rail because of her marathon running!) She also had fun chatting with a lot of people.

Movie night is a great idea!