Wisconsin Family Shares November Routines
A local household uses prayer, cemetery visits, and gratitude exercises to structure the final month of the year.
By Adriana Abebe ·
A Wisconsin family uses the final month of the year to structure their domestic faith life. The household treats November as a period of specific ritual rather than a passive transition into the winter holidays.
The family identifies the month as the time for honoring the Holy Souls. They maintain a jar containing popsicle sticks with the names of deceased relatives and friends. Family members select a stick to direct their prayers for a specific individual. The household also schedules a visit to a cemetery during the first eight days of the month. A visit to a cemetery and prayer for the dead during that window allows for a plenary indulgence for the souls in purgatory, provided the standard requirements are met.
Gratitude serves as the second pillar of their November routine. The family uses a paper chain for younger children, where each link holds a written blessing. Older children maintain a daily gratitude journal. These tangible records help the family focus on thanksgiving to God rather than solely on the culinary and athletic aspects of the upcoming holiday.
Preparation for Advent begins in November to reduce the pressure of the final weeks of the year. The family purchases Advent candles and completes portions of gift shopping and wrapping early. This approach aims to prioritize spiritual reflection over material tasks. The family begins traditions such as baking and decorating with prayer. They also incorporate images of the Holy Family and nativity scenes into their decor.
The author of the account notes that the shorter days and cooler temperatures in Wisconsin provide a setting for indoor family time. The goal is to enter the new year with a sense of settled purpose. The family encourages the selection of one or two intentional practices rather than filling the calendar with numerous obligations. Consistency in simple acts is viewed as more meaningful than an extensive list of traditions.
Relevant Radio is running a pledge drive associated with these seasonal themes. The station offers a 6-inch Fontanini Holy Family tree to donors who give 25 dollars per month. The offer is available for the current day of the campaign. The station describes its mission as bringing Christ to the world through media.
