NEW!  “Called to the Joy of Love: National Pastoral Framework for Marriage and Family Life Ministry” (USCCB)
The framework is intended to assist dioceses and parishes as local pastoral planning and implementation continue to take place since the publication of the 2016 apostolic exhortation on the family, Amoris Laetitia. It provides guidelines for the pastoral accompaniment of married couples and families in every phase of life, drawing upon the teachings and recommendations contained in the apostolic exhortation.

NEW!  Putting Parents at the Center of Our Ministry Movement (Dr. John M. Rinaldo, Parish Success Group, posted at USCCB)
Videos based on the above linked article:

• Part 1: Build Relationships with Parents
• Part 2: Evaluate Current Adult Faith Formation Activities
• Part 3: Let Parents Do the Formation

Combatting Racism (USCCB)

• Articles (USCCB)
• Pope Francis and U.S. Bishops Respond to George Floyd's Killing (video) (Catholic Mobilizing Network)
• Bishop Shelton Fabre on the Death of George Floyd (video) (USCCB)​
• Pope Francis prays for George Floyd and for peace and justice in US (video) (EWTN)
• The assumptions of white privilege and what we can do about it (National Catholic Reporter)

Alpha evangelization program for youth
Alpha is an online program that introduces people to Jesus. They offer a program especially for youth which is very dynamic.  It is non denominational, completely free of charge and available online. Alpha is also run for people of all ages. It originated in England in 1991 and is currently available in 120 countries and 60 languages. Follow the easy directions on the website to create an Alpha for your parish or youth group.
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Who's Responsible for Children's Faith Formation? (Barna)
Barna, known for their research, presents the latest on why churches and parents need to partner today. 

A Report on American Catholic Religious Parenting (Justin Bartkus and Christian Smith)
Receive a copy of this 2017 report on American Catholic Parenting.

• The Basic Claim and The American Catholic Household as Cultural Project
• Four Components that Produce and Shape the Religious Household & Snapshots of Effective Transmission
• Key Takeaways

Lifelong Faith Associates Related Research (Lifelong Faith Associates)

• Family Faith Formation resources, practices, workshops, and more
• Faith Formation with a New Generation - Read Chapter One 
• Families at the Center of Faith Formation Research Summary
• Research on Parents What Parents Want to Hear from the Church, Developmental Relationships, More.

Lifelong Faith Journal  (Lifelong Faith Associates)
An excellent source of research, resources and challenging articles on every aspect of faith formation including data on effectiveness and best practices on inter generational, life cycle and family based approaches to faith formation. The articles are available for free download.

CARA Report on Catholic Women in the United States (CARA and America media)
Beliefs, Practices, Experiences, and Attitudes. A study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), commissioned by America media. 2018. 

Going Going Gone (CARA and St. Mary's Press)
This book by Robert J. McCarty and John M. Vitek looks at the phenomena of the Disaffiliated Catholics. St. Mary's Press commissioned the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate to study why are young people "going, going, gone".

Find more information about the topic in this article:

• Why Are They Leaving? (The Valley Catholic)

See Bob McCarty talk about this topic in this webinar series (NFCYM, NCCL, NCEA, and NACFLM)

• Thirteen: Engagement or Exodus?

          
5 Reasons Millennials Stay Connected to the Church (Barna Group 9/13)
This research illuminates what is working—and what churches can do to engage these young adults.

How to Influence Your Pastor   (Team RCIA)
A great article that reminds us that if we want to advocate for our ministry we need to put ourself in the other person's shoes.

​Joe Paprocki on Catechists' Journey (Loyola Press)

• Adult Faith Formation Needs to Focus on Brokenness Looking at programs that focus on healing our brokenness.​​
• Parents Come First at St. Jude - a three part series on a faith formation program that focuses on parents.

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The Pope Francis Minute (Catholic Link)
Check out this effort to share Pope Francis' messages with families via animated video clips.

• Holy Father, Teach Us to Pray 
• We Should Love the Virgin Mary
• The Year of Mercy
• The Recipe for a Happy Family 
• More Pope Francis Minute videos on Catholic Links YouTube playlist​