Looking for Catholic resources to go deeper in your faith, grow in understanding of what the Catholic Church teaches, or catch up on Catholic news? Searching for Pro-life resources? Check out the links below! This is not a comprehensive list.
Many organizations put out specific resources for the liturgical seasons of Lent and Advent. Click the buttons below for seasonal resources.
About the Faith / Apologetics
Ascension Press offers Bible studies, sacramental prep programs, Q&A-style books, free online videos, and more, focusing on helping Catholics encounter Jesus and learn about their faith. Visit their YouTube channel, Ascension Presents, to watch informational videos from renowned speakers, such as Fr. Mike Schmitz, Bobby and Jackie Angel, and Fr. Mark-Mary.
Catechism Class offers online study programs for children and adult faith formation and sacramental prep. Their goal is to provide a superior digital learning experience that fits into your life better than traditional formats and classes. Their organization was founded by Fr. James Zatalava, a parish priest from Pennsylvania, to provide online religious education for his area in 2004. Based on the success of those programs, Father Zatalava created this website to reach any Catholics around the world. They presently serve thousands of students each year in over 25 nations and are committed to providing the best in online Roman Catholic religious education to all at an affordable price.
Catechism in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz is a free daily podcast and reading plan that guides the listener through the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church in 365 15-30 minute episodes. Through the podcast, the listener will understand the essentials of the Catholic Faith and why they matter, see how Church teaching is rooted in Sacred Scripture, and transform their relationship with the Church that Christ founded. The podcast has topped the charts on all podcasting platforms and has been featured in various news outlets.
Catholic Answers is a media ministry focused on serving Christ by explaining and defending the Catholic faith. Its mission is to help Catholics grow in their faith, bring former Catholics home, and lead non-Catholics into the fullness of the truth. An answer to any question about the Catholic faith can be found on this website. The information is presented in a variety of different ways; such as through podcasts, videos, articles, or Q&A sessions.
Dynamic Catholic was founded by Matthew Kelly, an internationally renowned Catholic speaker and author. Dynamic Catholic’s mission is “to re-energize the Catholic Church in America by developing world-class resources that inspire people to rediscover the genius of Catholicism.” Find books, CDs, reflections, videos, and programs created to help you grow in your faith and become the best version of yourself.
Word on Fire was founded by Bishop Robert Barron for utilizing media outlets to introduce Catholicism to the broader world. Bishop Robert Barron is an author, speaker, and theologian. Find a plethora of resources regarding various topics on the Catholic faith through books, podcasts, YouTube videos, DVDs, articles, and many more.
Bible
The Bible in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz guides the listener through the entire bible in 365 20-25 minute episodes. The reading plan was inspired by the Great Adventure Bible Timeline by Jeff Cavins and can be downloaded for FREE on Ascension Press’s website. Each episode includes 2-3 readings, guided prayer, and a reflection by Fr. Mike Schmitz. The podcast has topped the charts on all podcasting platforms and has been featured in various news outlets.
St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology is a non-profit research and educational institute founded by Dr. Scott Hahn that promotes life-transforming Scripture study in the Catholic tradition. The Center serves clergy and laity, students and scholars, with research and study tools from books and publications to multimedia and on-line programming.
Charities
St. Vincent de Paul Society was founded in 1833 on the principle of actively helping those in need with an open heart and open mind. Today it is a worldwide organization. Locally, the St. Patrick Conference of St. Vincent de Paul has been aiding people throughout Kendall County since 2010. Through the generous donations of the many people who support their efforts, they provide financial and other assistance to offset the costs of rent, utilities, food, and clothing of clients in need, regardless of socio-economic background or religious affiliation.
Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus and describes itself as being dedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. There are more than 1.7 million members in 14,000 councils, with nearly 200 councils on college campuses. Membership is limited to “practical Catholic” men aged 18 or older. Our council holds over seven charity based annual events, contributing to many local needs and groups.
Kendall County Community Food Pantry serves those in need by providing supplemental food help to those in Kendall, Dekalb and LaSalle County. They are open every Thursday from 2 to 6 PM and clients may choose no more than two visits each month. Seniors, veterans, and disabled clients are served between Noon and 2 PM. Visit their website to learn how to register your family or how to volunteer.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet has been dedicated to serving needy and vulnerable members of the Diocese of Joliet community for over 50 years. They provide a variety of services to people of all ages from support groups, to disaster relief, to education, to a mobile food pantry, and beyond.
Catholic Charities USA has been around for over a century serving people in need in the United States. Founded on Catholic Social Teaching principles, they work to provide affordable housing, immigration and refugee services, food and nutrition, disaster relief, and so much more.
Catholic Relief Services is rooted in the Catholic Social Teaching principles and work to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. They respond to major emergencies, fight disease and poverty, and nurture peaceful and just societies. They work with local, national and international Catholic institutions and structures, as well as other organizations, to assist people on the basis of need, not creed, race or nationality.
Information/News
Aleteia is an online Catholic news and information website. Since its launch, Aleteia has been accompanied by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and also collaborates with bishops conferences and religious orders, congregations, and communities.
EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) is a global, Catholic television, radio, and news network that provides Catholic programming and news coverage from around the world.
Vatican News is a news information portal provided by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications which “aggregate[s] information from the Vatican’s various print, online, radio and television media in a one-stop shop for news about the Holy See.”
Marriage
Formed has been called the “Catholic Netflix.” Watch on-demand inspiring movies and video-based programs, listen to audio presentations, and read e-books from the Church’s most compelling speakers and authors. It is also free to you as parishioners of St. Patrick Parish! Sign in with your email to gain access. If new, click “sign up,” then “sign up as a parishioner,” and type in “St. Patrick Yorkville” or our code: 9de382. After that, just enter your name and email address, and you are all set. There is an entire section solely devoted to strengthening your marriage, among numerous other subjects.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter was the first marriage enrichment program ever offered, and is now the largest faith-based marriage enrichment organization in the world. Take a break from the distractions of everyday life and focus on each other. Instead of watching lectures about how to improve your marriage, you will be actually improving it, together. Restore your communication, rekindle your romance, and renew your commitment through the WME program.
Messy Family Project is a from-the-trenches website, podcast, blog and more created by Mike and Alicia Hernon. For the first seven years of their marriage, they were a presenting couple with the Catholic Engaged Encounter program, traveling the nation to help countless couples strengthen their relationships through Christ. Now, they bring their still-messy world of being a married couple raising 10 children together, directly to you in a faith-filled approach full of messiness, laughter and joy.
Retrouvaille: A Lifeline for Married Couples has a mission to provide help for struggling marriages and build up strong ones through weekend retreats, courses, sessions, and support group meetings. This program offers a safe setting encouraging couples to learn communication in marriage in a respectful manner.
Jason Evert is a bestselling author, founder of Totus Tuus Press and the Chastity Project, an organization that promotes chastity primarily to high school and college students. He earned a Master of Theology from the Franciscan University at Steubenville, with undergraduate degrees in theology and counseling, with a minor in philosophy. He brings all of that together in his 5.0-rated podcast, Lust is Boring, available on all major podcast platforms. The podcast features interviews with special guests and straight answers to the tough questions, submitted by his listeners, on topics such as dating, marriage, raising a family in today’s world, all through a Catholic perspective.
Refoccus is an extension of the renowned Foccus program for engaged couples. The organization is an apostolate of the Archdiocese of Omaha, and was founded on the principle that communication and problem-solving are the keys to a successful marriage. The Refoccus program is built for couples to use throughout their marriage. Each time a couple uses Refoccus, their responses create a snapshot of their relationship at that point in time, giving them the tools to continue to grow together in Christ.
The Five Love Languages is a bestselling book series written by Gary Chapman. The original book was published in 1982, going on to sell more than 11 million copies in English alone, as well as being translated into 49 other languages. The updated 2015 edition is consistently ranked in the top 100 sellers on Amazon.com, and also appears on the New York Times bestseller list on a frequent basis. The Five Love Languages also offers events, an app, countless resources and so much more, available on the website linked above.
Media
FORMED has been called the “Catholic Netflix.” Watch inspiring movies and video-based programs, listen to audio presentations, and read e-books from the church’s most compelling speakers and authors. And it is all FREE to you as parishioners of St. Patrick Parish! Sign-in with your email to gain access. If new, click “sign-up”, “sign-up as a parishioner” and type in “St Patrick Yorkville” or our code: 9de382. Enter in your name and email and you are all set!
Relevant Radio has been helping people bridge the gap between faith and everyday life through informative, entertaining, and interactive programming twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. The radio program reaches 182 stations coast-to-coast and also worldwide through their app and website. The location station is 930 AM.
The Chosen is the first-ever-multi-season TV show about the life of Jesus. Created outside of the Hollywood system, The Chosen allows us to see Christ through the eyes of those who knew him. Watch it for FREE online or through their app. The TV show is highly rated and their season one was the highest crowd-funded TV series or film project of all time.
Prayer
Hallow is the #1 Catholic app in the App store and was created to guide Catholics to learn deep and transformative contemplative and meditative prayer techniques. Customize your prayer experience by choosing a guide, length of time, and background music. Connect with family and friends to share prayers and intentions. Set goals and track your progress. Transform the way you pray with Hallow.
Laudate is a comprehensive Catholic app that includes Daily Mass readings, Liturgy of the Hours, daily Bible verses, a guide to the Mass, the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy, a guide to Confession, Stations of the Cross, a database of prayers, the Catechism, Vatican documents, and so much more. Download for FREE from your app store.
Pray More Novenas will send you an email each day of the novena to help you stay on track. A novena is a nine day period of prayer to obtain special graces, to implore specific favors, or make intentional petitions. Pray along with the community or pick your own novena and pray it whenever you want. Search through their database of novenas to find one that fits your needs. A FREE app version is also available titled, “Pray Catholic Novena Prayers”.
Right to Life
40 Days for Life is an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses. Campaigns are hosted at least twice a year. Sign-up for a prayer time slot on their website.
Hope After Abortion (Project Rachel) is a network of healing composed of specially-trained caregivers which may include priests, mental health professionals, lay staff, spiritual directors, retreat directors and others such as medical personnel. These individuals provide direct care to women, men, and adolescents who have been touched by an abortion loss enabling them to grieve, receive forgiveness, and find peace. For confidential help call 888-456-HOPE (888-456-4673).
March for Life is an organized event that occurs every year on the anniversary of Roe V. Wade in Washington D.C. and in cities across the United States. Their vision is a future world where the beauty and dignity of every human life are valued and protected. They promote the beauty and dignity of every human life by working to end abortion through uniting, educating, and mobilizing pro-life people in the public square.
Students for Life is an organization built to recruit, train, and mobilize pro-life students and young adults to abolish abortion. These pro-life student leaders across America are working to change the hearts and minds of their peers to save lives, educate other young people about the violence of abortion, create new pro-lifers, and transform campuses into places that support pregnant and parenting students. Students for Life mentors groups in colleges, high schools, middle schools, law schools, and med schools. Find a group near you or work with a regional coordinator to start one at your school.
Theology of the Body Institute is dedicated to making Saint Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body available to everyone, so that all may understand human desire for love, fulfillment as revealed in our creation as male and female, and the meaning of life. Their vision is to foster a culture of life and a world full of men and women who fully embrace their dignity and worth. Learn more about Theology of the Body on their website.
Waterleaf Women’s Center offers free pregnancy services and options consultation for women to make educated decisions about their pregnancies. They are located in Aurora, IL.
Vocations
A Guide to Religious Ministries is a comprehensive directory of Catholic men’s and women’s communities in the United States. The Guide explains the nature of a religious vocation, the steps involved in entering the religious life and a description of the ministries engaged in by priests, brothers, sisters, and lay people.
Diocese of Joliet Office of Vocations offers information on visit days and retreats for those discerning the call to priesthood, as well as information on the application process. Additionally, learn more about our current seminarians and how you can support them.
Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception is a fraternal community of consecrated life in the Roman Catholic Church. In America, the members of the Congregation are perhaps best known for their work promoting the message of Divine Mercy from Stockbridge, Massachusetts. They are also known for their devotion to Mary Immaculate, dedication to praying for the poor souls in Purgatory, and active service to the Church. All priests assigned to our parish come from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception order.
Retrouvaille has a mission to provide help for struggling marriages and build up strong ones through weekend retreats, courses, sessions, and support group meetings. This program offers a safe setting encouraging couples to learn communication in marriage in a respectful manner.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has compiled a list of vocational discernment resources. Prayer is an important part of discernment for all vocations. This list includes ways to intentionally pray while in discernment among other links that guide those through the discernment process.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter is the original marriage enrichment program. Take a break from the distractions of everyday life and focus on each other. Instead of watching lectures about how to improve your marriage, you will be actually improving it, together. Restore your communication, rekindle your romance, and renew your commitment through the WME program.
