Welcome, parents with young children!
Do you have kids ages 0-6? Or are you expecting your first baby? Would you like a way to connect with other parents while deepening your Catholic faith? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! Rooted was created out of a desire to support, strengthen, and empower Catholic families in the thick of raising young kids (think of it like that "village" everyone keeps talking about).
Inspired by Acts 2:42, our community aims to share life together, pray together, participate in the liturgical and sacramental life together, and grow in our faith together – all while trying to keep our toddlers quiet during the homily! From your baby’s birth and baptism to their first year of kindergarten and everything in between, you can expect to receive support, solidarity, and success as you transition into this new season of Catholic parenthood. Click here to sign-up for our e-mail list (we’ll send 1-2 e-mails a month with event reminders and helpful resources).
Rooted is a collaborative, city-wide apostolate that is made up of:
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Saint Charles Borromeo Parish
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Notre Dame Parish (part of Our Lady of the Falls)
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Holy Ghost Parish (part of Our Lady of the Falls)
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St. Peter Parish
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St. Bridget Parish (part of Our Lady of the Falls)
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McDonell Area Catholic School System (MACS, particularly St. Charles PreK-2)
Raising young children may not come with an instruction manual, but it does come with a community. We can’t wait for you to be part of it! Keep scrolling for more info and event details. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our Rooted Coordinator, Jacqueline Van Hemert, at JacquelineEVanHemert@gmail.com.
Rooted 2024-2025 Calendar
All Rooted events are family-friendly and aimed toward parents with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, but older siblings are always welcome.
Like to have reminders on your refrigerator?
Click here to download and print the Rooted 2024-25 Event Schedule Flyer
Prefer a digital calendar?
Want to receive updates about Rooted events and resources?
Click to sign-up for our e-mail list
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Just want to keep scrolling? Need to register for childcare?
Here’s a list of our 2024-2025 events!
Saturday, November 2 – (Littlest) All Saints’ Day Party!
9-11:30am / Goldsmith Religious Education Center / Notre Dame
Our first official Rooted gathering! Dress your babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in their (or your) favorite saint costume as we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints with kids’ games, activities, and fellowship!
Sunday, November 17 – Family Sunday: Growing in Faith
9-10:20am / The Goldsmith Religious Education Center (GREC)
At each Family Sunday, we’ll meet before Mass for a mini Bible study (lectio divina) on the Sunday’s Gospel as well as small group discussion. Childcare will be offered for the kids so parents can enjoy time together! (Ages 1+, registration required in advance). This first topic is on learning the teachings of our faith, particularly as busy, tired, and/or overwhelmed Catholic parents. Following the gathering, our families will sit together at the 10:30am Mass at Notre Dame.
Register for November 17th Childcare - Click Here!
Saturday, December 7 – Rooted goes to “Breakfast with Santa” fundraiser!
9-11:00am / McDonell Central Catholic High School, 1316 Bel Air Blvd.
This Advent, our Rooted community of families with young children is supporting the MACS Faith Boosters as they fundraise for their mission trip to Peru. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and get your pictures taken with Santa! Our Rooted team will be onsite to meet and mingle with a special Advent activity for families to make and take home. Tickets are $10 per person and kids 3 and under are FREE. That said, if cost is a financial hardship for you, please e-mail us to request ticket vouchers for your family: JacquelineEVanHemert@gmail.com
Sunday, January 19 – Family Sunday: Growing in Fellowship
9-10:20am / St. Charles Borromeo Parish
Our second Family Sunday will meet for lectio divina and conversation on forming and deepening authentic Catholic friendship in this season of life. As usual, childcare will be offered while parents pray and chat. Following our gathering, we’ll sit together at the 10:30am Mass at St. Charles parish.
Register for January 19th Childcare - Coming Soon!
Monday, February 3 – Catholicism on Tap
6-8:00pm / The GREC
One of the best Catholic events our parishes have to offer! Enjoy free childcare, sit with other Rooted parents, and listen to a dynamic Catholic speaker while snacking on hors d’oeurves and sipping local brews. Click here for more info and childcare registration info > https://www.ourladyofthefalls.org/catholicism-on-tap
Sunday, February 16 – Family Sunday: Growing in Sacrament
9-10:20am / Holy Ghost Parish
This third Family Sunday, come for lectio divina and discussion on how to deepen our participation in Mass and sacraments, particularly with very young children (let’s be honest, sometimes Sunday feels more like a workout than worship!) Childcare, as always, will be offered for the kids while parents meet. Following the gathering, our families will sit together for the 10:30am Mass at Holy Ghost parish.
Register for February 16th Childcare - Coming Soon!
Tuesday, March 4 – Mardi Gras Potluck
4:30-6:30pm / Holy Ghost Parish Fellowship Hall
Feast together like proper Catholics! Bring your absolute FAVORITE dish to share and let the kids eat whatever they want for dinner as we explore practical and doable ways to ready ourselves for the Lenten season.
Potluck Signup - Coming Soon!
Sunday, March 23 – Family Sunday: Growing in Prayer
9-10:20am / St. Charles Borromeo
Our last Family Sunday of the season will meet at St. Charles for lectio divina and conversation on developing a personal prayer routine, even amidst all the distractions of family life. Childcare will be available for the kids while parents pray and meet. Following our gathering, we’ll all sit together for the 10:30am Mass at St. Charles Borromeo parish.
Register for March 23rd Childcare - Coming Soon!
Saturday, April 12 – Go-to-Confession Playdate
9-11:30am / Notre Dame/GREC
We’ve booked a priest for a special Saturday morning confession! Come sip coffee and take turns socializing/supervising kids while each of us gets a chance to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation this Lent.
Saturday, April 20 - Itty Bitty Easter Egg Hunt!
Immediately following Mass / Notre Dame lawn (GREC as backup)
Celebrate the resurrection of our Lord at Easter Mass then let the little ones loose for a baby/toddler/preschool friendly egg hunt. There might even be a few surprises for the parents, too!
Sunday, June 8 – Pentecost Playground Picnic
Immediately following Mass / Holy Ghost
Ease into summer and mark the end of the Easter season! Pack a lunch or bring a dish to pass for your family and come for a casual hangout as we celebrate the patron of Holy Ghost parish - the Holy Spirit! This is a great chance to invite other families with young children as well.