2008 FAMILY LIFE CALENDAR REFLECTIONS THEME “ME AND MY FAMILY” MAY THEME : ME AND PARENTHOOD NTRODUCTION In May we celebrate Mothers’ Day and in June Fathers’ Day. We all have or are a mother or father. Father-mother-children is a natural family model that should work well, fulfilling necessary family tasks in the family’s particular context, providing stability and security and meaningful role models. Unique and special bonds are created between parents, and each of them with a child, as they develop their mothering and fathering qualities. This does not always happen in a changing society with changing roles. Mothers are often the ones who hold a family together, with father hardly in the picture. This disadvantages both father and child. Because of the nature and growth processes of family life conflict between parents and children happens and is normal but punishment should not be excessive and discipline needs to be managed. Abuse should not be allowed. 1st Ascension Thursday. St Joseph the Worker. Workers’ Day. There are so many themes to combine on this day. Jesus continued to teach his disciples after the Resurrection until on this day he left them to continue with his mission of building the Kingdom on earth. This task begins in our own families in our own everyday existence of work and play. Work is both a right and responsibility on the part of parents and families to provide for their children and other members where necessary. The State has the responsibility to do all it can to create jobs. Pray as a family for the intercession of St Joseph, the patron saint of workers. 4th 7th Sunday of Easter. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Spirit of Prayer and Praise. Jesus prays to his Father for those who are being left behind in the world but have been true to him. He prays in the Spirit who is the source of all our prayer and praise. Pray especially that all Christians will work together for unity so that one day they may praise God together. This starts in the home where parents, even those who might belong to different churches, can look for common beliefs and so try to be an example of Christian unity to their children. See PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY on page 5. 11th Pentecost. Mother’s Day. Mothers are most often at the heart of the family, the more spiritual ones, teaching prayers and skills and providing religious education. Thank God for them and the special gifts the Spirit has given them. Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to guide them and encourage fathers too, to take up their responsibilities to make each human family a real and living part of God’s family. Ask Mary, our heavenly Mother to pray with us for an outpouring of the gifts of the Spirit on all members of our families. 18th Trinity Sunday. The mystery of the Blessed Trinity can be glimpsed by reflecting on the true love relationship of the three persons, Father, Son and Spirit. Our human love relationships are intended to mirror this deep love. Look into a mirror as individuals, couples and families and ask how does our mirror image of God’s love look? 25th The Body and Blood of the Lord. The feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ draws our attention to the gift of Jesus himself to all his followers. Self-giving is the underlying work too of family living as couples and parents with their children model Jesus’ total gift of himself. He said, “Do this in memory of me,” and “This is my body given up for you.” That is what mothers physically do as they carry and give birth to their children and fathers too give of their body, their life and their energy. Thank Jesus for his tremendous gift of love and thank your own parents too no matter where they are or how old they are. 30th. Sacred Heart of Jesus. Once again a celebration of the love of Jesus. The devotion to the Sacred Heart began after Jesus’ apparition to St Margaret Mary Alacoque when he begged her to encourage people to increase their love for him which had grown lukewarm and cold. |