Welcome to St. Mary's of the Lake

Links for Parents

Our children's faith formation is not only what they learn and do in their faith formation classes - Faith Formation is life long and on-going.  It is what they see and do in their everyday lives.  Here are several links to websites that will assist families in bringing their Catholic Faith into their everyday lives.

 

Diocese of Syracuse Office of Faith Formation website  Diocese of Syracuse Office of Faith Formation page

Web based resources from the series used in Faith Formation classes at St. Mary's

 

Grades 1 to 8 use the Loyola Press, Finding God series please see findinggod.com for many resources for parents, children and families.  Once you click the link and are on their home page choose either Children for activities for the kids to do related to their sessions in class or click Parents for Living Our Faith, which is the last page of your child's session, Raising Faith Filled Kids, which is a one page reflection on your child's session on an adult level or finally At Home Edition, which is a lesson plan for you to follow at home to teach the session to your child if they missed class.

1st Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist preparations:  God's Gift by Loyola Press:

 

Websites for parents:

 

   Access to all the Loyola Press E-newletters you receive during the year via email. Click the icon.

Loyola Press 3 minute retreat.  Spend an inspirational 3 minutes refocusing and refreshing.

 Catholic Mom   For Parents with activites for children.

 Catholic Kids     For parents with activities for children

Catholic.org  Catholic news for parents

 

Vibrant Faith at Home is a website for families just like yours. It offers simple, fun, faith forming activities for busy families! And it is free.  The activities are seasonally based and updated and are great ways to spend time with your family.  It also offers blogs, articles and videos for all age groups to discuss and reflect on what you are experiencing as a family.  Just click the picture and check out the website!

Sacraments 101, Quick, informative videos from Busted Halo that share the Catholic teachings of the Sacraments (great refresher)  

 

 

 

Links of Faith

 

Church Leadership

Vatican – official site of the Vatican

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - official statements on various issues and topics

New York State Catholic Conference - provides a unified voice and the means for joint action through which the eight dioceses in the state can impact the development of public policies.

Local Links

The Catholic Diocese of Syracuse NY - our diocesan site with local information

Stella Maris Retreat House – Spend some special time with the Lord on beautiful Skaneateles Lake

Christ the King Retreat House - a Diocesan retreat center

News

The Catholic Sun – our diocesan newspaper

Catholic News Service

Catholic World News – An international, independent news organization, staffed by lay Catholic journalists, dedicated to providing accurate world news, written from a distinctly Catholic perspective.

EWTN News - the latest Catholic news from all over, search by topic. Includes interviews with Catholic newsmakers.

ZENIT – a Roman news agency specializing in coverage of the Holy Father, life in the Holy See, and events of interest to the Church.

Publications

America – online weekly Catholic Magazine of news, opinion, book reviews and articles; a member of Catholic Press Association

Blest Are We – homepage for parents, catechists and children

Envoy Magazine - bi-monthly journal of Catholic apologetics and evangelization

U.S. Catholic – homepage of the magazine, U.S. Catholic

You! Magazine-  catholic e-zine for young people

Spirituality, Prayer, Reflection on the Word

American Catholic - Inspiration, information and helpful products from St. Anthony Messenger Press.

Finding God – a valuable resource for faith formation by Loyola Press.  Click on “Resources” to access additional pages providing Daily 3-minute retreats, Sources for Catholic Tradition, or to Search for specific information on faith formation topics by Loyola Press.

Online Spirituality Resources - a ministry of Creighton University – provides daily reflection, online retreats and other spirituality helps.

Sacred Space – a daily prayer page by the Irish Province Jesuits

Service Organizations & Charities

Catholic Charities-USA- The largest private network of social service organizations in the U.S. – Supports families, reduces poverty, and builds communities.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS)- the official relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community; at work in over 80 countries around the world.

Habitat for Humanity - a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization building simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need.

General Resources

Mass Times - a ministry to traveling Catholics.  Look up Mass Times by country, state, or zipcode.

Catholic Apologetics International - answers to common questions about catholicism

CatholiCity - A virtual cybercity that is home to wholesome Catholic Chat Rooms, Crosstalk email discussion groups, free Catholic audio tapes, Catholic novels by Bud Macfarlane Jr., searchable links, and more.

New Advent - Features the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, and the Summa Theologica

Once Catholic – a ministry of the Franciscan Friars.  The mission of OnceCatholic.org is to put you back in touch with Catholics.  It helps one to sort out issues with the Church.

Pope John Paul II Cultural Center – a facility that offers a unique social and spiritual atmosphere in a top notch environment

Promotion of Justice – Resources for exploring Justice issues and Catholic Social Teaching.