Useful Resources for Families

The Repository (at the back of the church, open after each Mass at the weekend) stocks a range of books and resources suitable for children, including seasonal resources at Easter and Christmas.

For Children and Families

Celebrate@Home – Downloadable activity packs to help families to connect with God.

CAFOD provides downloadable prayers and resources for children’s liturgy catechists and for families.

Redemptorist Publications have a large selection of children’s religious books available to purchase.

The Wednesday Word is a weekly downloadable resource for schools and families which can be used to reflect on the issues and messages present in the liturgies.

Catholic Kids Media releases a video each Sunday on their YouTube channel. The video begins with the Mass readings accompanied by an animation, followed by a reflection. The animation helps children to understand the readings and the videos are available in a variety of languages.

Connect Sunday from Colour and Shape is a short weekly video (5-10 mins) that explains where we are in the liturgical year, helps children to prepare for Mass and to reflect on the Sunday Gospel reading. You can also follow Colour and Shape on Facebook.

Stories of the Bible from Saddleback Kids are free-of-charge animated Bible stories, aimed at young children. You may find it easier to enter ‘Saddleback Kids’ and the Bible reference you are looking for into your usual internet search engine.

The Catholic Icing website is full of craft ideas to help families celebrate the various stages of the liturgical year.

YouCat For Kids is an introduction to the teachings of the Catholic Church for children (8-12 years).

For Young People

The Alpha Youth Film series is 12 video sessions designed to engage students in conversation about faith, life and Jesus.

The Diocese of Westminster Youth Team have a page of resources for young people that includes activities, games, videos prayers and more.

YouCat is the Catechism of the Catholic Church for adolescents and young people.

‘Youth Catholic Bible’ is one of the best Bibles for young people. (ISBN 1599829258)

Which Saint are you most like? Want to help your young people looking for a confirmation name, the Diocese of Westminster Youth Ministry has put together this quiz.

Joel’s Bar is the young adults ministry of CELEBRATE Trust, which has run Catholic Charismatic events for the last 28 years, serving those in Year 12 up to age 25 years. Events give young people the opportunity to spend, time each day in personal prayer, share in the sacraments, come together for faith input and discussions as well as engaging in praise and worship, social activities and workshops.

Love Music Festivals? Love Camping? The Big Church Day Out or BDCO is a Christian non-profit music festival best known for its contemporary Christian music. Many musical types are represented at the festival.

The Flame Congress is the largest Catholic gathering of young people in England and Wales.

For Parents and Youth Leaders

Parenting for Faith is a video-based course that can be downloaded or live-streamed. It’s normally run in small groups, but can also be used by individuals. The goal is to help parents discover that they are perfectly positioned to show their children the reality of a life with God and to empower them to have their own vibrant two-way relationship with him

A course for parents of children preparing for Confirmation: The Sycamore course was developed as an informal course about the Christian faith and its relevance for life today. It offers a 4-week or 8-week course to support and encourage parents whose children are preparing to be confirmed. The 4-week course covers the search for happiness, the power of prayer, the sacraments of baptism and confirmation and forgiveness, healing and mission.

‘The Art of Forming Young Disciples’ by Everett Fritz is a recommended book for anyone who is interested in working with the young people in the Church. (ISBN 1622824822)