Strengthening Family Bonds: A Call to Peace and Virtue in the New Year

Pastoral Reflection

The readings for Sunday call for peace, respect, and the exercise of virtue in family life. While modern family life is a great deal more complex than family life in ancient times, the need for virtue and respect is as relevant as ever! The idea of the family today is very broad and includes the extended family, the family of the parish community to which we belong, our “work” family, and many others. Yet, the family of our own household is the place where the greatest lessons of life and love are learned. Let us take this Sunday and New Year’s Day (Mary, Mother of God) to first give thanks for our own families, in all their joys and sorrows, their virtues and vices. Then, let us ask God’s blessings upon our families that we may grow in love and devotion to one another, reaching out where needed and reconciling where bonds have been bruised. Finally, let us pray that the bonds of love may unite the whole human family in love and peace throughout the entire world! (Mary, Mother of God, is also the day of prayer for world peace.)

Call to action: Use your GC Smart Tools to send a quick email or text to your families this week inviting them to attend mass this weekend as a family. Also, remind them to pray together as families, and to offer prayers of blessing together before meals. Remind parents that they may offer simple blessings to their own children every day. In some cultures, it is common for mom and dad to make the sign of the cross with their hands or thumbs on the forehead of the children each night before bed, or in the morning before school. Also, at masses this weekend, offer a special blessing for families at the end of the homily. You can find some lovely blessings in the official Book of Blessings. Studies are clear that in families where faith is expressed at home, more family members will remain connected to the Church.

Pastoral Action Points

1. You might also consider handing out a simple gift, like a bookmark, that has a blessing prayer for families printed on it. Families can then use this as a prayer in the “domestic church” of the home.
   
2. Consider a simple family activity after mass, like having families come to the hall. There you can have sheets of paper where families can draw their family tree. The family tree can then be blessed and taken home as a reminder of belonging.
   
3. Help non-traditional families, like one parent households, to feel included. Remind them that they are a part of the greater family of the Church and the Kingdom of God!
   
4. Keep your eyes open! GiveCentral has some exciting and innovative announcements coming in January 2024! Your experience of GiveCentral is about to get easier and faster!

Last modified: August 11, 2024