How Parishes Can Help Families Use 52 Sundays in 2022: (Part 2)
Here are some suggestions for your parish to help families embrace the ideas from 52 Sundays. Ideas for each week are provided to continually connect with families about the book. Since it is lectionary-based, many of these suggestions are applicable, even if families do not have the physical book. You may reproduce everything from the book for your parish or school needs.
ONGOING
Let families know how they can get the book’s weekly content at www.52Sundays.com. Encourage people to post what they are doing that week using the hashtag #52Sundays on your church’s social media channels and website. Utilizing your parish communication methods (bulletin, website, social media, Remind, Flocknote, newsletter, etc.), provide linktis to the Archdiocese of Detroit social media channels as a way for people to connect with other #52Sundays posts. Send messages to families in the parish about 52 Sundays, with a question from the book, reminders about the activity, etc.
JULY
For the week of July 3, 2022: In the bulletin, have a staff member reflect on how they would feel if Jesus asked them personally to share the good news with others. Provide supplies for families to make red, white, and blue decorations for their dinner tables. Invite families to post pictures of the ways they are celebrating the Fourth of July on your social media channels. Have families submit videos of them reading the prayer in the Family Prayer section; combine the videos so that different families read different words of the prayer in one compilation video and post it on your website. Ask for the intercession of St. Dulce Lopes Pontes at all gatherings this week.
For the week of July 10, 2022: Create a list of random acts of kindness that can be completed in or near your parish for families to consider for the Family Challenge. Invite a key volunteer to write in the bulletin about a time when someone helped them in a time of need and how they saw God present in that moment. Encourage families to post on your social media channels pictures from their time hiking. Create a video with the priest or deacon sharing about the different statements used in the Closing Rites at Mass and which one is most meaningful to them. Ask for the intercession of St. Joseph (Guiseppe) Moscati at all gatherings this week.
For the week of July 17, 2022: In honor of the saint of the week, provide ways that families can support your local chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In the bulletin, have a staff member share if they are more like Martha or Mary and why. Offer Eucharistic Adoration for families to come and “be still” so as to hear the Lord speaking to them; consider having hospitality after so they can talk about their experience. Invite families to post pictures of their pulled pork tacos on your social media channels. Ask for the intercession of Blessed Frederic Ozanam at all gatherings this week.
For the week of July 24, 2022: Create bookmarks with Scripture quotes about bread for families to take home; invite them to post a picture of their homemade bread and to also share one of the Scripture passages. Invite key parish volunteers to share via the bulletin what the Our Father means to them. Let families know in your announcements how they can share their prayer requests with the parish. Make a video for your parish website where parishioners can share their personal stories of meeting Blessed Solanus Casey or how his prayers have impacted them. Ask for the intercession of Blessed Solanus Casey at all your gatherings this week.
For the week of July 31, 2022: Encourage families to pray the Family Prayer at a certain time each day this week; let them know when the parish is open for prayer and invite them to pray near the tabernacle. Invite staff members to share their favorite Eucharistic miracles in the parish bulletin. Link Blessed Carlo Acutis’ website of Eucharistic miracles to your parish website. Ask families to post pictures to your social media channels of them playing soccer. Ask for the intercession of Blessed Carlo Acutis at your gatherings this week.
AUGUST
For the week of August 7, 2022: In the bulletin, invite a staff member to share one habit or practice that has helped them grow as a disciple in Christ. Post a video on your social media channels of a staff member making Banana Boats. Host Australian Family Games after Mass or provide supplies for families to play at home. Have families submit videos of them reading the prayer in the Family Prayer section; combine the videos so that different families read different words of the prayer in one compilation video and post it on your website. Invite families to post pictures of their Impossible Pie on your parish social media channels. Ask for the intercession of St. Mary MacKillop at all your parish events this week.
For the week of August 14, 2022: In the bulletin, ask a staff member to reveal a time when they chose to do something good in the face of opposition. Make a video for your website showing the baptismal font at your parish and any interesting facts about it. Provide notecards for families to complete the Family Challenge this week. Encourage families to post pictures of what they found when playing Nature BINGO. Consider providing quotes from Scripture about rejoicing in God’s creation that they can share with their posts. Ask for the intercession of St. Catherine of Siena at all your parish events this week.
For the week of August 21, 2022: Ask key volunteers from your parish to share a time when they helped someone facing difficulties. Provide graph paper for families to complete the Compass Activity. Create a video about the layout of your church, giving any details about the aisle. Invite families to post pictures of their ham roll-ups. Post a link to a video with the lyrics to Strength for the Journey on your website for families to utilize in their family prayer. Ask for the intercession of Blessed Victoria Rasoamanarivo at your parish events this week.
For the week of August 28, 2022: Provide bubbles for families to take home. Inspired by Luke 14:11, have a staff member reflect in the bulletin on how humility helped them grow in their faith. Encourage families to post pictures of their habanero tomato salsa on your social media channels. Inspired by the Saint of the Week and the Family Prayer, share on your social media channels throughout the week ways families can respect life from conception to natural death. Ask for the intercession of Servant of God Terence James Cooke at your parish events this week.
SEPTEMBER
For the week of September 4, 2022: In the bulletin, ask staff members to share how music inspires their faith. Create a video of the parish staff completing the Family Fun activity. On your website, share a link to a sung psalm each day for families to connect to for the Family Challenge. Encourage families to post pictures of their Musical Veggie Trays on your social media channels. Ask for the intercession of Blessed Dina Belanger at your parish events this week.
For the week of September 11, 2022: Invite a staff member to tell a personal story about a time that they were lost and what it felt like to be found. Create a video for your website giving a tour of the confessional with a link to a family-friendly Examination of Conscience. Consider offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation at an additional time this week for families to easily attend. Provide tips for inviting people to Mass that families can utilize for the Family Challenge. Ask for the intercession of Venerable Nelson Henry Baker at your gatherings this week.
For the week of September 18, 2022: In the bulletin, invite a staff member to reflect on how they know someone is trustworthy. Share pictures of your credence table on social media this week and any interesting facts about it. Have families submit videos of them reading the prayer in the Family Prayer section; combine the videos so that different families read different words of the prayer in one compilation video and post it on your website. Provide families with materials to make banks at home and ways to give to the parish or local charities; invite families to post pictures of the decorated banks on your parish social media channels. Ask for the intercession of St. Maurice at your gatherings this week.
For the week of September 25, 2022: In the bulletin, invite different staff members to share what it is like to help someone in need. Invite families to pray the Prayer for Priests at the same time each day this week. Create a video about the different chalices at your parish and share any stories about them. Encourage families to post pictures of the decorated chalices they display at their home in their prayer space. Have a station for parishioners to write a note to parish priests or retired priests after Mass on this Priesthood Sunday. Ask for the intercession of Blessed James Alberione at your gatherings this week.
OCTOBER
For the week of October 2, 2022: In the bulletin, invite key volunteers to share how the proclamation of the Kerygma helped them grow in faith. Post on social media interviews with those who help care for the plants and flowers in your church; share how families can help with this ministry as well. Create a video of the staff praying the rosary that families can utilize for the Family Prayer. Invite families to post pictures of their visits to the cider mill or apple picking on your social media channels. Ask for the intercession of St. Timothy at your gatherings this week.
For the week of October 9, 2022: In the bulletin, ask staff members to share one thing that they are thankful for this week. Have a place where families can share how many times they heard the word “thanks” or “thanksgiving” at Mass and then reveal the answer on social media later this week; consider having a special treat or prize for the closest guess. Encourage families to post on your social media channels pictures of their prayer corners at home. Share a video of a staff member making the sweet teriyaki beef skewers. Ask for the intercession of St. Marianne Cope at your gatherings this week.
For the day of October 16, 2022: In the bulletin, ask key volunteers to share memorable prayer experiences they have had; be sure to include times and locations for families to participate in prayer experiences at the parish this week (ex/ rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, etc.). Provide sheets for families to write their prayer intentions down to post at their home; include a way for families to share their intentions with parish prayer teams as well. Invite families to post pictures of their Croque Monsieur sandwiches on your parish social media channels. Ask for the intercession of St. Jane Frances de Chantal at your gatherings this week.
For the week of October 23, 2022: In the bulletin, ask staff members to share how they keep Jesus at the center of their lives. Have families submit videos of them reading the prayer the Litany of Mercy; combine the videos so that different families read different words of the prayer in one compilation video and post it on your website. Host a family night at the parish where families can play vocations charades, enjoy some roasted pumpkin seeds, and pray together. Ask for the intercession of St. Richard Pampuri, O.H. at your gatherings this week.
For the week of October 30, 2022: In the bulletin, invite a staff member to reflect on how it feels to know that Jesus knows them by their name; consider creating a meditation that families can use to reflect on this concept. Make a video for your website where you show the tall items or those that placed high in your parish; share any special meaning behind them. Invite families to a live session on social media where they can participate in the Lectio Divina prayer with the larger community from home. Encourage families to post pictures of their climbing activities on your parish social media channels. Ask for the intercession of Blessed Peter To Rot at your gatherings this week.
NOVEMBER
For the week of November 6, 2022: In the bulletin, ask staff members to share parts of the Catholic faith they want to learn more about or understand better; include an invitation to some adult formation opportunities that parents can connect to thru the parish. Host a family movie night at the parish inside or as a drive-in. Share information about the corporal and spiritual works of mercy; provide ways that families can participate in these works. Make a video for your website showing “A Day in the Life of a Corporal,” sharing when it is used at Mass and its purpose. Ask for the intercession of Servant of God Dorothy Day at your gatherings this week.
For the week of November 13, 2022: In the bulletin, invite key volunteers to share when they felt God’s loving care during a difficult time. To help families with the Liturgy Link, post a video of the stone marking the year the parish was built and place some prayer cards nearby that families can take when they visit it. Invite families to pray the Prayer to the Holy Family at the same time each day this week. Encourage families to post pictures of their building block church challenge; consider having the staff post their creations as well. Ask for the intercession of Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli at your gatherings this week.
For the week of November 20, 2022: In the bulletin, ask a staff member to share what it means to put your life under Jesus’ authority and how this shapes their actions and behaviors. Create a video showing the parish crucifix and any interesting details about it. Link the Taizé prayer song on your website for families to easily access for the Family Prayer. Invite families to post pictures of their dress-up dinner on your social media channels. Ask for the intercession of Blessed Sebastian Kimura at your gatherings this week.
For the week of November 27, 2022: Provide ornament cutouts or other materials for families to make a Jesse Tree at home. In the bulletin, encourage a staff member to share some ways that their family plans to make Advent meaningful this year. Link to a video with lyrics of Lead Me, Guide Me on your website for families to complete the Family Challenge. Also, link to the National Black Congress website for families to learn more about Black Catholic History Month. Create a video for your social media channels about what a sacristan does and how families can join this ministry. Ask for the intercession of Servant of God Thea Bowman at your gatherings this week.
DECEMBER
For the week of December 4, 2022: In a video on your website, have key volunteers share who has acted as John the Baptist in their lives, telling them about Jesus and helping prepare for his coming. Provide families with invitation cards to use for the Family Challenge. Share interesting facts about your ambo on social media this week. Encourage families to post pictures of their New Zealand Kiwi Bread on your social media channels. Ask for the intercession of Venerable Suzanne Aubert at your gatherings this week.
For the week of December 11, 2022: In the bulletin, ask staff members to share some small acts of kindness that have had a large impact on their lives. Invite families to pray the Hail Mary at a specific time every day this week. Have families post pictures of their homemade stained-glass windows on your social media channels. Create a video of a staff member making the Church Window Cookies. Ask for the intercession of St. Rose of Lima at your gatherings this week.
For the week of December 18, 2022: In the bulletin, ask staff members to share about how St. Joseph has inspired them. Have families submit videos of them reading The Divine Praises; combine the videos so that different families read different words of the prayer in one compilation video and post it on your website. Share information for families about Catholic Social Teaching, especially the theme of Call to Family, Community, and Participation with ideas for families to put this teaching into practice. Invite families to post pictures of their gingerbread houses on your parish social media channels; consider challenging families to create one that looks like your parish. Ask for the intercession of Blessed Nikolaus Gross at your gatherings this week.
For the week of December 25, 2022: In the bulletin, have a staff member reflect on why Jesus is a gift to the world as well as in their own life. Consider hosting a family activity on December 30th for the Feast of the Holy Family or provide activity ideas for families. On your parish social media channels, play the Family Fun activity by inviting families to guess which staff member is in a posted baby picture. Ask for the intercession of Blessed Maria Ludovica De Angelis at your gatherings this week.
