2009 FAMILY LIFE CALENDAR REFLECTIONS

THEME: MARRIAGE AND FAMILY GROWING TOGETHER

MAY THEME: PARENTS HELP CHILDREN GROW

Introduction
One of the most important tasks of a family is to co-operate with God to bring new life into the world and to nurture and support this life as children are born and grow from infancy into childhood, adolescence and adulthood.  As parents we do not own our children and cannot control their every action.  Parenting is facilitating growth in children, not forcing them to follow certain paths, but mentoring and accompanying them step by step on their own life's journey.
Pray for parents and as parents and children that we and they may be open to sharing this journey with patience, perseverance and joy.  This is also Mary’s month and parents and children could pray the Rosary for their own and other families. The Movement of Continuous Prayer is built around the Rosary prayed for different family needs.
 
1st St Joseph the worker. Worker's Day.
Joseph as a carpenter would have helped Jesus grow, teaching him the skills of their trade and no doubt Joseph, Mary and Jesus also talked about good labour practices etc.  As fathers and mothers how do we discuss such matters with our children? 

3rd Easter 4. Good Shepherd, Vocations Sunday. 
Every parent is a shepherd watching over those in their care. Parenthood is a vocation and as part of their calling parents have the responsibility to nurture a sense of vocation in their children whether it is to religious life or marriage or the single life. 

10th Easter 5. Christ the True Vine.  Mother's Day.   
Christ is the true vine and we as believers are the branches that need to remain attached to the vine and bear good fruit.  Mothers have a special gift for nurturing and they themselves also need to be supported by the fathers and children. As the 2nd reading says, “let our love not just be words but something active.”  Bring all mothers and their needs to Mary. 

17th Easter 6. The Spirit of God's Love. 
In today's gospel Jesus speaks about his love for his friends, his calling and the fact that he has chosen us to bear fruit that will last.  As parents and families consider what this means for everyone. 

21st Ascension Thursday.
Having  continued to teach and prepare the apostles for the work ahead for some time Jesus now leaves them to return to the Father, but promises not to abandon them but send a helper. At the same time he commissioned them to go out and evangelise and Paul tells us that each of us has been given his own share of grace as we need it and to do what we have to do.  

24th Easter 7. the Spirit of God's Life. 
Join with Jesus as he prayed the words that all parents pray as they have to let their children grow up, “Keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us.”

31st Pentecost.  
As parents and children sincerely pray the words, “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love.”    May this fire of love sustain all parents as they help their children grow.