A Call to Family Discipleship
Monthly Wisdom from The Catechesis Collective:
In the rush of daily life, it’s easy for faith formation to take a backseat. The Catechesis Collective is here to help families reclaim their homes as places of discipleship and spiritual growth. Rooted in the rich tradition of catechesis, this initiative encourages households to develop yearly rhythms of prayer, worship, and faith practices that anchor them in Christ.
Through simple seasonal activities, whānau can integrate faith into their daily routines to nurture both parents and children in their walk with God.
February
This month the Catechesis Collective invites families to focus on the virtue of love, drawing inspiration from the life of Saint Valentine and the teachings of Scripture. With Valentine’s Day as a focal point, timely activities can help families grow in love for God and one another.
A Legacy of Love: Saint Valentine
Saint Valentine, a priest or bishop in 3rd-century Rome, is remembered for his courageous witness to Christ’s love. Under Emperor Claudius II, he secretly performed Christian weddings despite persecution, helping believers stay faithful in difficult times. Ultimately, he was arrested and martyred around AD 270 for his devotion to God and service to others.
As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, whānau may reflect on Saint Valentine’s example of selfless love and consider ways to embody that love in their daily lives. Whether through acts of kindness, prayers of gratitude, or intentional discipleship at home, may this season be a time of deepening love—both human and divine.
Learning and Activities for Valentine’s Day
Breath Prayer for the Month:
Inhale: Love is patient.
Exhale: Love is kind.
Scripture to Proclaim and Sing:
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay our lives down for our brothers and sisters.” – 1 John 3:16
(Song Recommendation: For Us by Slugs and Bugs – available on Spotify)
Saint Valentine’s Secret Service
Prepare: Cut out a paper heart and write 1 John 3:16 on one side. On the back, paste a picture of Saint Valentine.
Practice: Encourage whānau to take turns secretly performing acts of loving-kindness throughout February. When completing an act of love, leave the Saint Valentine heart behind as a reminder that it was done in love. The recipient then continues the cycle by serving someone else.
Hidden Hearts of Love
Prepare: Before February 1st, cut out 15 paper hearts and write one descriptor of love from 1 Corinthians 13 on each (e.g., patient, kind, not envious). Hide the hearts around the house.
Proclaim: Each day, family members search for a heart, then gather to reflect on its meaning. Display the collected hearts as Valentine’s decorations—perhaps as a bunting string. Light a candle and say the breath prayer together. Discuss how each descriptor applies to everyday life, pray in thanksgiving for God’s love, and ask for grace to love God and neighbor more fully.
For more information about the Catechesis Collective and to join the journey of household discipleship, contact Kara Dodds at kara.dodds@yahoo.co.nz.
