2010 FAMILY THEME “FAMILIES PLAY THE GAME”

FEBRUARY – MATCH PLAY.

INTRODUCTION. Life is a game and it is also a match. There are times in our lives when match-making means looking out for the best life partner for ourselves and our children, or in being that good life partner. In another sense life is playing a match, not just as a contest but as a matching of abilities, skills and talents.
How well matched are we in our relationships as couples, parents and children, siblings and so on? Are you in training to improve your skills?

2nd Presentation of the Lord or Candlemas.   This is the formal end of the 40 days of Christmas when Mary and Joseph came to present him in the temple as was required by the Law.  Lighting candles once more reminds us that Jesus is our light.  Eat a candle-light dinner as a couple or a family and share how important light is in our lives.

7th  5th Sunday of the Year C.    Becoming Apostles.   The words “Here I am Lord” are prayed and sung many times in our churches but do we really mean them?  Are we ready to match ourselves up with Jesus, to become a follower, an apostle?  As couples and family members we are not all called to leave home and follow him but to stay home and follow him right there, matching our talents and skills with one another and at times competing too so as to improve our skills.  Play some games together and talk about how to be a good winner and a gracious loser.  

11th Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for the Sick.  Our Lady is very often associated with healing of the sick. Pray for her intercession for healing and to deal compassionately with sickness in the family.

14th  6th Sunday of the year C.  Valentine’s Day.  World Marriage Day.  Our Trust in the Lord.  This is a special  occasion during this month and this year to focus on marriage.    Luke’s version of the Beatitudes has a very strong focus on the poor, the needy and it strongly condemns materialism. From the perspective of marriage couples could consider how materialism and wanting to acquire more possessions can stop them from focusing on the most valuable thing of all, their love relationship.  KISS (Keep It Simple) but still enjoy your Valentine’s Day.    

16th Shrove Tuesday.  This is not a church feast but a chance to see who can make and flip the best pancakes on this day also known as Pancake Tuesday. Traditionally in the days when fasting was very rigid eggs and butter were not used during Lent and were used up to make pancakes. 

17th Ash Wednesday.  Day of Fast and Abstinence and 1 of only 2 days left for this in the Church calendar. Make a special sacrifice to observe this. Begin Lent by deciding what you individually as couples and families can do as personal sacrifices to God but also to save some money and give it for the benefit of others more  needy then we are. 

21st  1st Sunday of Lent C.  The gospel of this first Sunday  of Lent is always that of the temptation of Jesus in the desert.  He was tempted as we are, but did not give in.  Men and women, boys and girls in their relationships with one another are often tempted in lots of ways.  In these relationships we seem to be particular vulnerable. Try to identify your own particular weaknesses and pray for strength to resist temptation.   

28th  2nd Sunday of Lent C. Peter, James and John were chosen by Jesus to witness his Transfiguration, a moment of ecstasy, of witnessing God’s glory.  This was done to strengthen their faith, just before they travelled to Jerusalem and at the time when Jesus warned them of his suffering. Moments of ecstasy, of sexual joy in marriage and moments of great family unity strengthen us to be able to overcome the hardships and sufferings that are a normal  part of life.  Play some games to test and challenge your strength and your faith.   

FAMILY HOUR AND LENT.   Family Hour is very good at any time but during Lent couples and families can make a special effort to spend this time together regularly.  Plan to set aside a regular time slot and invite different family members to take turns how to spend the time week by week. Sometimes a Lenten sacrifice can even mean making the effort to invest in this way to build closeness in the family.
Read scripture, allow members to share and discuss family issues, pray, have a meal or a snack and play too, whatever game is chosen by the week’s leader.
THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS AND PLAYS,  (and for Lent) PAYS  TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

FAMILY LENTEN SUGGESTIONS.    Calendar?    LENT AND THE FAMILY.   It is not meant to be just a nice little season of small sacrifices, even of attending special lectures and services but of reflection on our own lives and relationships.  What needs to change?   Who will do what and how?