The converted jailer immediately shared his faith with his family and joyfully celebrated God's new life with them. Here are some ways for a family to celebrate their faith in God:

• anniversaries: celebrating the day each family member received Sacraments, such as Baptism (Acts 16:34), First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, etc.,
• patron saints: celebrating the feast day of the patron saint of each family member (or the saint they were named for),
• monthly Confession parties: the family goes to Confession together and celebrates afterward (e.g. Lk 15:23, 32), and
• monthly tithing parties: the family gathers to pray, tithe, and celebrate. Children without money are allotted money to tithe such as they and their parents discern.

Families have many more ways to celebrate what God has done for them. No family is so perfect that they can't make "still greater progress" (1 Thes 4:1) in holiness, unity, faith, and joy. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you (Jn 16:8) about the unity of your family and pour out the love of God in the hearts of each member of your family (Rm 5:5). "You families...give to the Lord glory and praise" (Ps 96:7).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 27, 2005

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.