Growing with God: Nurturing Safe and Faithful Lives in Catholic Parishes
Growing with God: Safe and Sacred™ is a comprehensive program for kindergarten through grade 8 that empowers parishes to teach children about the dignity of the human person, personal safety, and moral development—all grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church. Developed by Loyola Press, this program supports Directors of Religious Education and catechists with tools to guide children in understanding God’s love, their sacred identity, and how to live safely and respectfully in today’s world.
Each grade-level unit covers vital topics including boundaries, digital discipleship, respect for self and others, and family life. Flexible, easy-to-implement lessons are supported with digital resources such as videos, family letters, and printable worksheets. With Growing with God, parishes can fulfill diocesan safe environment requirements while fostering deep, faith-filled conversations between children and their families.
It is a Catholic child safety and family life program for kindergarten through grade 8 that teaches children to recognize their God-given dignity, understand appropriate boundaries, and live out their faith through respectful and loving relationships.
Who is the program for?
The program is designed for use in Catholic parishes by Directors of Religious Education (DREs), catechists, and families who are responsible for the spiritual and personal formation of children from kindergarten through grade 8.
What topics are included in the curriculum?
Lesson themes include: God Creates Us, Boundaries, Friendship and Bullying, Safety Awareness, Digital Discipleship, My Sacred Self, and Trust and Secrets.
Is the program available digitally?
Yes. Growing with God includes digital components such as video lessons, downloadable worksheets, parent resources, and catechist tools, making it adaptable for in-person or remote instruction.
Can the program be used to meet diocesan Safe Environment requirements?
Yes. It aligns with the USCCB’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and can be used to satisfy many diocesan safe environment policies.
Are resources available in Spanish?
Yes. Growing with God offers the At-Home Parent Guide and Lesson Summary digitally in both English and Spanish.
How are parents involved in the program?
Parents are essential partners. Each lesson includes take-home resources, conversation guides, and family letters to help parents reinforce key messages and support ongoing faith conversations at home.
How flexible is the program for different parish formats?
Very flexible. The program’s modular design allows DREs and catechists to implement all or selected lessons based on parish schedules, age groups, or specific learning goals.
What training is provided for catechists?
The program includes a comprehensive Teacher Guide with background content, teaching tips, and tools to confidently lead sessions on sensitive topics.
