The Domestic Church

Whether you are a practicing Catholic or not, I think we can all agree that much of the work and development of the child happens within the home.

As faith-filled persons, we are called to remember that the term “Domestic Church” refers to the family, the smallest body of gathered believers in Christ. This term dates back to the first century AD. The Greek word ecclesiola referred to “little church.” 

How can we do this in the home? Here is a link to a resource to help create this space/prayer table within the home. As a family, the choice is yours on how to make this look.  Within the school, each environment has its own 'version' of a prayer table and space.  Take a look:

From the S.O.A.R. room

From the Atrium

From Elementary

From CH (noting the purple cloth is being washed)

Once your prayer table and space is set up, here are some ideas on what to pray: 

• Family:
• Join in the praying the Pandemic Novena, linked here.
• Join all of SJB for Mass- live streamed here...see you there (virtually)!
• Tuesdays: 5:30pm
• Wednesday and Thursday: 8am
• Friday: 9am (this is the school Mass)
• Saturday: 8am and 5:00pm
• Sunday: 8am and 10am
• Children's House Students:
• Pray a litany of thanks by listing gifts of the day.
• Take time in silence to draw about God or about a favorite work from the Atrium.

• All Students:
• Make a set of Prayer Cards and/or Scripture Cards for your home. See a list of recommendations here.
• Listen to Saint of the Day. Draw an icon or symbol synthesizing the saint's actions or life.

• Elementary:
• Make a set of Maxims for your home. These Scriptures can be memorized, looked up in the bible, used as an examination of conscience, etc. See the full list of Maxims here.
• Find a place outside where you can sit for 10-15 minutes and journal about what you notice. What gifts are you being given through the beauty of this day?
• Plan and lead weekly family prayer. (For Level III children, see Resources for Planning Prayer below.)
• Choose one work you remember from the Atrium and describe or draw it. Why do you remember this material? How was it a gift to you? How is it a gift to you today?
• Create a handwritten journal recording the events, activities, emotions, and gifts of each day. What Scripture did you ponder? What Maxim did you work on living well? How did you listen for and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd?
• With your family, gather for silence, to read Scripture, to sing, to pray a decade or more of the Rosary (with artwork depicting the Mystery) or to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Resources for Planning Prayer for Elementary children (Level III 4th grade and older):
Communal Prayer Planning Sheet
Scripture Reference Charts
Concordance (While this uses the King James translation, it is very user-friendly.)