Catholic Community on the Jersey Shore
Return to faith
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home is where it all begins: the domestic ChurchPlease explore the many resources that are avaiable to you to build a vibrant faith life in your home, in small groups (and on the road!)
There are a plethora of studies that indicate how practicing one's faith is associated with more positive outcomes in life, and it also clearly decreases the chances for divorce, depression, suicide or incarceration.
Consider these studies:
Going to Church is Key for America
Why Religion Matters
Religion is Good for All of Us
Better to Believe
Faith and Covid
Worship and Mental Health
Prayer and Well-Being
One of the beautiful things about the Catholic faith is that your faith journey never stops, and that your path to discipleship is paved with an endless supply of opportunities to grow.
Enjoy as you pursue a life of transcendant truth, beauty and goodness.
As Jesus said, "Come, follow me."
Check out the Resources Page!
If you would like to form a small group around any topic, please contact us!
If you have been away for a while and don't know where to start, contact us!
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DOMESTIC CHURCH BUILDING
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Catholics Come Home
A Minsitry dedicated to bringing the Faithful back into the Church
CatholicsComeHome
also
The Coming Home Network
Do You Need a Spiritual Director?
10 Steps to Finding a Spiritual Director -
The Power of Prayer
Continue the habits of Lent. Begin or interrupt your day with some guided reflections that will increase your faith and relationship with Christ.
Consider partciipating in regular Novenas.
Consider downloading the Hallow App
Join us the 13th of each month, at 8:30am, at the Fatima Shrine at St. Catharine's in Spring Lake for our monthly Rosary -
Very good resources for all things catholic
What can we do? Here is an excellent article: Family is Where Church Begins
Free: To register: “Sign up as Parishioner," enter your info, and choose St. Catharine or St. Denis (or your parish)
What can we do? Here is an excellent article: Family is Where Church Begins
Here are common Catholic Prayers
Prayer is vital! Try the Hallow App
Best Bibles for Catholics: Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version: Catholic Edition.
If you like more traditional language: Douay-Rheims
The Comprehensive Catholic Multimedia Source: EWTN
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES
Bluey
The Tuttle Twins Youtube
The Tuttle Twins Books
Catholic Family Crate
Cultivating Catholics
Catholic Mom Vibes
Catholic Sprouts
5 Sparrows
Video Resources for answering your questions, and your children's:
Catechism: Real and True
Faith and Science: Science Uprising
Faith and Culture Issues: What Would You Say?
Faith, Culture and History Issues: Prager University
Faith and Society: Edify
BEST WAY TO GROW YOUR FAITH AT HOME- Try these great video-based resources:
Just Starting Out or Getting Back? Formed.org has something for you!- Best Place to Start: The Search
- More on the Holy Spirit: The Wild Goose
- More on Jesus: Into His Likeness
- Knowing Jesus Personally: The Chosen
Sign up for the daily reflections!
OTHER OPTIONS:- Dynamic Catholic: A great entry point for returning to the faith. Also, sign up for the
- Ascension Presents has a lot of content including homilies and topic-specific short videos.
- Metanoia: The sequel to The Wild Goose, focusing on our relationship with Jesus (It’s Free)
- Word on Fire: Bishop Barron’s library of Content. St. Catharine has free access to full library.
YOUTUBE CHANNELS
Channels with a lot to explore:
Dynamic Catholic- Not deep, but very engaging and encouraging. Good place to start
Ascension Presents- All things Catholic! Homilies, Topic-specific, Bible in a Year etc.
Word on Fire- Bishop Barron’s library of homilies and content.
Evangelization and Encouragement
Real Life Catholic- Chris Stefanick is a dynamo!
Father Michael Sliney- Short and to the point.
Apologetics: Knowing and Defending the Faith
Pints with Aquinas
Counsel of Trent
Well-Done Niche Channels
Christopher West (Theology of the Body)
Renewal Ministries (Charismatic)
Capturing Christianity
PODCASTS (FOR ALL)
The Bible in a Year- Father Mike Schmitz is great! An absolute bucket list item.
Catechism in a Year- Father Mike again takes us on a sublime journey in faith.
You Were Born for This- Father John Riccardo calls us to mission!
They That Hope- Father Dave Pivonka and Deacon Bob Rice. Faith and fun together.
Blood Sweat and Joy- Chris Stefanick exhorts and encourages as only he can.
Christ is the Answer- Father John Riccardo reveals Christ to us all.
A Reason for Hope- From Array of Hope. Interviews with inspirational Catholics.
Ask Father Josh- Father Josh answers your Catholic questions.
GEARED TO WOMEN
Abiding Together- Sister Miriam and friends take you through a joyful faith journey
Girlfriends-Danielle Bean and the folks at Ascension speak to and for women.
GEARED TO MEN
Anchored in Hope- Father Larry Richards calls us to raise our games.
Catholic Men- Literature for the Catholic Gentleman
The Catholic Gentleman- No holds barred, topic driven. Bishop Sheen in the mix.Just a Guy in the Pew- A regular Catholic guy talking about everyday Catholic things.
Good Reads- Early Stage of Journey
The Beginning Guide to Roman Catholic Faith
Catholics Come Home- Making the Journey Back
Good Reads- Next Stages of Journey
My Catholic Life- RCIA at Home!
Catholic Parents- Resources on the Issues
Meaning of Catholic- Deeper Dive
Core Websites for Men:
Engaging the Battle: Into the Breach
Heroic Men Videos- The Netflix for Catholic Men
Fathers of St Joseph- Youtube channel with great inspirational and instructive videos
RISE- Chris Stefanick challenges all men as only he can (explore the Real Life Catholic website)
The King's Men- Mark Houck builds authentic Catholic men
Catholics Come Home- Returning to the Faith
Fraternus- Building Catholic youth and men via outdoor exploration and skills
Dads- Becoming a Godly father
Catholic Dads- Forming men in their faith
Niche Websites for Men:
Catholic Gentleman- Old fashioned manly virtues with Bishop Sheen in the mix.
Wild at Heart- Masculine faith! Love God and Live Free!
2232Men- Men and prayer
Roman Catholic Men- Preparing Men to Battle Evil
Men of Iron- Building men of iron!
Hard as Nails- Men as mentors
Strong Catholic Dads- The title says it all
Meaning of Catholic- The reality of what we are up against
Dynamic Catholic Sacramental Prep makes for great family viewing. Entertaining and informative.
BLESSED FOR KIDS- First Communion
TEENS AND PARENTS- Confirmation Prep
COUPLES- Marriage Enrichment
NEW PARENTS- Baptism
Contact us for more information and resources or to just talk!!
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Our Church needs you!!
Our Church is in Decline
The Center for Applied Research on the Apostolate at Georgetown (CARA) reports that since 2000, 15 million Catholics have left the faith, Religious Ed participation has dropped 25%, Catholic School attendance down 20%, infant Baptisms down 30% and Sacramental marriages down 40%.
Another study by CARA of 18-25 year-olds revealed that the average age someone reported as when they decided to leave the faith was 13 years old! The main reason they gave: the incompatibility of faith and science, as learned in schools.
The Augustine Institute found that of the 1,000,000 Catholics baptized around the year 2000, only 500,000 received Confirmation.
“Who is going to save the church? Do not look to the priests.
Do not look to the bishops. It’s up to you.” - Fulton Sheen -
Science, Reason, Truth and God:Working together
Our culture is dominated by lies and misinformation. It can be difficult to navigate.
We are in a better position to grow in faith, and defend it, if we have confidence. We encourgae you to take the time to inderstand "the other side" of the argument (AKA, The Truth!)
There are so many resources out thee that are interesting and informative. Try some!
Video Resources for answering your questions, and your children's:
Catechism: Real and True
Faith and Science: Science Uprising
Faith and Culture Issues: What Would You Say?
Faith, Culture and History Issues: Prager University
Faith and Society: Edify
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Wallbuilders has many links and resources, including a Youtube Channel, that present TRUE American History. -
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