What to do for an entire family coming into the Catholic Church?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lizaanne
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

lizaanne

Guest
Ok - I know you always have the best suggestions, so hope you can help me out!! A family we know, but are not personally close to, is all becoming Catholic this week!! The husband and wife are receiving the following sacraments on Friday: Baptism, Confirmation, Confession, renewal of wedding vows, and finally Holy Communion at Mass! Their two children will be baptized at an upcoming Sunday Mass, and she is expecting their third!

I would like to do something for them, they are a truly wonderful family, but can’t think of anything family oriented. Also, something I can do before Friday (nothing like waiting for the last minute!!).

Thanks for all your suggestions in advance! 😃

Oh - the children are a 4 year old boy and 6 year old girl I believe.

~Liza
 
Not that I have any suggestions but I think that is SUPER nice of you to welcome them in with something. When I received the sacraments of initiation, I was floored by the gifts and cards from people I barely knew in the community. I received TWO catechisms ( still use them both ) and a silver cross.

I bet this family needs all kinds of things. Bibles, rosaries, necklaces are nice, family bible? That one is obvious.
 
Thank you Sina! I like the family Bible idea too - and I was considering a nice crucifix for their home, but I’m sure they will be flooded also with the usual stuff. I was hoping to do something a little more unique, but that’s where I’m having the problem - being unique!!! :rolleyes:

~Liza
 
What a wonderful news to hear!

about gifts: …besides those being suggested -
  • a Statue of Virgin Mary would be nice.
  • Holy water fountain.
If you get to know them more, ask them to have their house blessed.
 
Since Advent is right around the corner how about a family Advent wreath.
 
Is there a Catholic bookstore/giftstore in your area? There are all kinds of things there that might give a good idea.
 
Rosaries, booklets on how, when. A family that prays together stays together. I’ve seen missal, scapular and rosery gift sets around, but that can get pricey depending on the size of the family. Not as pricey as a good family bible though. Tim
 
1ke said:
Since Advent is right around the corner how about a family Advent wreath.
Click to expand...
Oooo! I love this idea! And it’s something they can do with the children too!

Ok - keep them coming - I’m open to anything!

And yes - we have some wonderful Catholic shops near us.

~Liza
 
I love the idea of a Holy Water font. That’s something that a non-Catholic family probably doesn’t have. A nice living room sized (not dinky, but not huge) statue of the BVM or the Holy Family would also be good. Maybe a couple of Saints CDs that the family could watch together? What a great idea to welcome them as a family. I will say that the will probably receive more than enough rosaries, so if you can think of something else!
 
lizaanne said:
Oooo! I love this idea! And it’s something they can do with the children too!

Ok - keep them coming - I’m open to anything!

And yes - we have some wonderful Catholic shops near us.

~Liza
Click to expand...
The booklet *Advent Begins at Home * might be useful, help them to establish some Catholic Traditions for the children.
 
Sr_Sally said:
I love the idea of a Holy Water font. That’s something that a non-Catholic family probably doesn’t have. A nice living room sized (not dinky, but not huge) statue of the BVM or the Holy Family would also be good. Maybe a couple of Saints CDs that the family could watch together? What a great idea to welcome them as a family. I will say that the will probably receive more than enough rosaries, so if you can think of something else!
Click to expand...
I wanted to get the cd for the kids, Dogma Dogs, but we were out of it at the Saint Michael’s Media gift shop - but we do have a really beautiful crucifix, the size you would use in a larger room, that I may get them and then something else more family like. The children are young, so maybe the Advent book someone else suggested. Hmmm - so many good ideas!!! 😃

~Liza
 
continue being an informal “sponsor” for at least the first year after their reception, in practical as well as spiritual ways. The welcome they find in this parish will have a lot to do with how well the family becomes established and strengthened in the faith. Invite them to events, offer or arrange child care, at the very least send cards, a big family bible would be a great gift, expensive but maybe go in on it with other parishioners.

a library of children’s books from Catholic Book Publishing-St. Joseph, Catholic Children’s Picture Bible, Book of Saints, My Mass Book etc. Depending on the ages of the children there are games, board and CD based on CCC and bible in most Catholic book catalogs.

My best suggestion–again, get other parishioners to help with this–subscription to Magnificat magazine for the adults, and MagnifiKids for the children, with a card at the time of reception to say this gift is on the way.
 
puzzleannie said:
…subscription to Magnificat magazine for the adults, and MagnifiKids for the children, with a card at the time of reception to say this gift is on the way.
Click to expand...
This is outstanding! I love this idea!

Strange as it may sound, the parish where all this is happening will not be their home parish. The priest who has been assisting them through their spiritual formation is not their parish priest - so while I totally agree with getting them involved and helping them to feel welcome, I will need to do that from a broader perspective, and not at their own parish.

Thanks for that! I’ll order the subscriptions today!! 🙂

~Liza
 
The San Damiano Cross with a book explaining it. Or an Icon of Christ’s Baptism, possibly one of the Nativity of Christ. Have it blessed for them.
 
May sound silly… My little boy and I became Catholic at Easter this year… Our favorite gift was a little prayer book that someone gave him. We started saying prayers together everynight before bed … before we knew it… he and I both had learned the Hail Mary, Our Father, Apostles Creed, Glory Be, Good Night Prayer, Act of Contrition…etc… Now we pull it out when he has spend the night guest… They can use the book to pray along…
 
Liz - I do believe that anything you give to this family will be a blessing.

I know that I would absolutely cry if someone did something for me.
 
I would say to just acknowledge them. My family and I joined the church last Easter and it was the lonliest time ever. We did not invite any family members as they would not have approved and we did not really know our sponsors…they didn’t really seem to care…about 3 or more months after the ceremony we received some gifts from them, but it seemed more like they had to do it. We also went home after the ceremony…there were no celebrations. I think the usher welcomed us into the church on our way out the door. We have a small parish and like I stated…very lonely. So please acknowledge them in ANY way. I know we would have loved that.
 
Mitzzi said:
I would say to just acknowledge them. My family and I joined the church last Easter and it was the lonliest time ever. We did not invite any family members as they would not have approved and we did not really know our sponsors…they didn’t really seem to care…about 3 or more months after the ceremony we received some gifts from them, but it seemed more like they had to do it. We also went home after the ceremony…there were no celebrations. I think the usher welcomed us into the church on our way out the door. We have a small parish and like I stated…very lonely. So please acknowledge them in ANY way. I know we would have loved that.
Click to expand...
Boy that is horrible to hear! Lack of community in some parishes is really hurting the church! I’ll pray a rosary for you as a welcome into the church!

As to the main question, I’m sure thats all gone and by now. What happend? I would go for a decent family bible and some crucifixes for the kidos.
 
Mitzzi - we are doing exactly that! There are at least 12 of us going to dinner before hand with them to celebrate, then to the Church with them. We have also invited a bunch more folks to go if they can, so it will be a wonderful event for them!

I’ve decided that since all the sacramental stuff happening this time around is for the parents, I will get them the Magnificat subscription. The children will be baptized at a later mass in a few weeks, so I will focus on the children at that time since it will be their special day. They are younger than I thought, so too young for MagnifiKid, so I will get them some toddler books on the Mass and prayers.

So excited for this family! Keep them all in your prayers - their lives will change forever tomorrow! 😃

~Liza
 
pyropam said:
May sound silly… My little boy and I became Catholic at Easter this year… Our favorite gift was a little prayer book that someone gave him. We started saying prayers together everynight before bed … before we knew it… he and I both had learned the Hail Mary, Our Father, Apostles Creed, Glory Be, Good Night Prayer, Act of Contrition…etc… Now we pull it out when he has spend the night guest… They can use the book to pray along…
Click to expand...
That’s awesome!!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top