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There is a poem that begins, “Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul…..”
Pope Benedict in his 2nd encyclical sees hope as something more rooted. After the first encyclical on love, God’s love, expressed very explicitly and related to human loving, hope too must be placed in the current context of human living. But this context is also not new. Paul in Eph 2 :12 spoke of the Ephesians as being “without hope and without God in the world.”  
Pope Benedict makes the point that “faith in progress” has proved false. Our growing scientific knowledge is a fact and a great achievement but an equivalent growth in ethical awareness or moral decision-making does not follow. Reason and freedom have to be continually exercised and are also continually at risk. A belief, or a hope, that humanity will automatically sort out its own problems is false.
We entertain many kinds of hopes; he calls them lesser hopes, but man’s great, true hope is trust in God who is Love. This God is concerned and passionately involved in the world he created and invites his creatures to love as he loves and hope is ultimately to experience the eternal joy of which Jesus spoke, in communion with God and one another. Referring to Augustine he describes man’s essential situation as being driven; we want life but do not know towards what we are driven. “We cannot stop reaching out for it, and yet we know that all we can experience or accomplish is not what we yearn for. This unknown thing is the true hope and yet the fact that it is unknown is the cause of all forms of despair and also of all efforts, whether positive or destructive, directed towards worldly authenticity and human authenticity.”  

So on a very practical level what about us in South Africa at this time? My own group, white people, the young ones especially, are feeling confused, concerned and disillusioned about the future under another new dispensation. Jacob Zuma’s ANC is not perceived as friendly or offering a rosy future, nor is the man highly regarded as an upright person of moral integrity. The overwhelming support he obtained from delegates at the ANC conference and the support he has received from other political partners for a long time tells a story. Some attribute his success to being disillusioned with President Mbeki’s presidency and lack of delivery. That is the game of politics. Some justify the current trends, hoping, seeing them as of possible future benefit for the people. But the fact that the President of the ruling party is accused of corruption, is to stand trial and is still supported is confusing and frightening.
   
The Church project I have been engaged in for some time centres on evangelisation and the task of the laity operating in different strata of society. My particular interest of course is family life as one of the contexts for the laity and so one asks, “Are there grounds for hope for families here and now in the future?”      
Legislation passed just days ago is a serious concern. The Amendment to the Termination of Pregnancy Act, which was challenged in the Constitutional Court by pro-life groups, has now, tragically, been voted on and overwhelmingly passed, even though most South Africans claim to be anti-abortion. Girls as young as twelve  can have abortions without parental knowledge, without compulsory counselling and medical personnel do not have the benefit of a conscience clause. As a lay person, a member of civil society to me that is confusing, even frightening and highly immoral. 
A number of issues challenge us. One of the most serious issues at present is the electricity crisis. Regular power cuts are an enormous burden on every sector of society. The fact that our country’s electricity needs have been so poorly estimated, that the police and national prosecuting agency are at odds at a time when crime is still a major concern and that the people are losing trust in the government’s integrity are real challenges to hope. So also on another economic level is the continuing disparity between rich and poor and the apparent lack of contact between first and third world economies.  The injustice and unrest in other parts of Africa, in Zimbabwe and Kenya, are a concern too, to say nothing of the ongoing AIDS crisis and the decline in the school-leaving pass-rate and problems starting the new school year in some areas.   
In a sense many of these issues have a moral dimension for each of us and yet we tend to avoid addressing that aspect unless it touches us personally.
Who is preaching and teaching right and wrong? Parents fear they have lost control and influence with their children as the government grants them rights – in order to protect the vulnerable ones – but sowing confusion  elsewhere.   
Right now many people I speak to would like to drop out, leave the scene, leave the country if they could. Some ask where they should go to ensure the best future for their children.  
Pope Benedict says that hope is not just “informative” but also “performative.” It can change lives. It  challenges us not just to sit back and leave things to someone else or even to God to sort out.  We are challenged to make responses too, from not offering bribes to traffic officers to whistle-blowing when we have pertinent information or becoming active on school committees and helping the underprivileged.
February’s family life theme is, “Me and Marriage.”  Lent starts early this year and the Family Life Desk has produced some faith sharing resources presenting Church teaching on family life that, if truly lived out could be seen as a message of hope for the world. To have hope for the future means believing that good marriages and strong families are values to pray about, to work for, even to sacrifice for. A belief in the value and right to life, care for others and a concern for the common good are values that could be worked at actively this Lent, within families and society. I dare to hope that they will be and that this hope is more substantial than feathers.   

The Jan-March issue of Marriage and Family Livingis still available. The article about newly-weds, “There is more to unwrap than wedding presents” is published on the web.  Also in the magazine is a year plan for family ministry in the parish and a Dedication of Families to the Blessed Trinity and the Holy Family, by courtesy of the Maronite community in Johannesburg. 
Instead of a Lenten booklet this year the faith sharing programmes produced by the SACBC Family Life Desk are being distributed and promoted.  See below.   A one page Family Lenten calendar can be emailedon request.  
MARFAM publications and prices are listed on the website.
BECOMING WIDOWED by Toni Rowland is a new booklet from Redemptorist Publications. See www.saredemptorists.co.za for this and their many other materials. Cost R15 plus postage
2008 Family Life Calendars “Me and My Family” are now available in bulk from 40 for R100 plus postage.

FAITH SHARING PROGRAMMES FOR LENT (or at any later time)
In response to a request for family life education and enrichment in an easily accessible form two FAITH SHARING PROGRAMMES have been produced, either of which can be used during Lent. The more comprehensive programme is FAMILIES, BECOME WHAT YOU ARE,  and the simpler version is BUILDING THE FAMILY CHURCH.   Both are intended for use in families or groups e.g  faith sharing groups, religious instruction or RCIA groups, PPCs.  Many people are not aware of the richness and beauty of the Church’s teaching on family life set out mainly in Pope John Paul’s Familiaris Consortio.  In the format presented participants are invited to learn more, reflect, share and pray together.  Download from www.marfam.org.za

What is faith sharing?  What are Small Christian Communities?
There are a variety of different groups meeting in homes or church halls. Some are prayer groups, praying the rosary or other prayers. Some are Bible sharing, or Bible study groups using different approaches.
The SCC concept for Small Christian Communities grew out of the South American experience adopted in the 1980s-1990s in Africa. Initially these groups were neighbourhood family groups meeting to address community issues through reflection, prayer, discussion and chosen action.
SCCs are found in South Africa in various forms and in some dioceses provide the formation and catechetics for the community.   The Lumko Institute of the SA Catholic Bishops Conference has produced a range of resource material for faith sharing and community building and some specifically for marriage and family life. Information from lumko@global.co.za

FAMILY LIFE APOSTOLATE MEETING – 9 MARCH 2008
An exciting event for the local Church will be a meeting of the two bishops of the Department for Evangelisation with for coordinators of family life movements and diocesan family life offices to reflect, discern, network and share together. Our bishops do recognise the importance of this apostolate and together we search for ways in which families can and should be supported.

HOLY CHILDHOOD SUNDAY is the3rd Feb and is one of the Pontifical Mission Societies. The idea behind this is “Children helping children.”  The newsletter asks, “South Africa is a wealthy country but many do not receive a fair share of its wealth. Please be generous with your offering this year and may the child Jesus bless you abundantly for your prayers and sacrifices.” 

WORLD MARRIAGE DAY, 2nd Sunday in February. This commemoration initiated by Marriage Encounter is recognised in some places. Taking into consideration that it is the 1st Sunday of Lent suggestions and ideas can be accessed through Google and downloaded from wmd.wwme.org
Some South African dioceses and parishes celebrate Marriage Day in October each year.  Should there be a special marriage day every year? What do readers think?  Some people believe it is insensitive to those who are not married or hurt?    

Around the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on 11th February it is also appropriate to PRAY FOR THE SICK. Some parishes hold a healing service around this time.  Apart from HIV/AIDS families have to deal with sickness in many different situations.

LAY LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH
Pope John Paul II spoke of the laity as the missionaries of the New Millenium. 
One of the outcomes of the 2007 Pastoral Forum was finding ways for a closer involvement of the laity in the Church. There is much more to this than “helping father” but the type of involvement and in what capacity this should be has not clearly emerged. Remembering the laity’s context as family people is also important. This could be an interesting and helpful topic to debate in different settings.

ANTI-ABORTION CAMPAIGNS
While some bodies see easy access to abortion as progress in respect of women’s rights we, as the Catholic community believe that abortion is taking the life of an innocent unborn baby. Current legislation just passed allows girls as young as 12 to have an abortion with parental knowledge or compulsory counselling. This is an issue that needs to be addressed in a whole variety of ways. There are different groups and movements doing their bit, but each family could and should speak about this and pray about it with their children.     

Anti-AbortionArchdiocesan Mass to be concelebrated by Archbishop Tlhagale with priests of the diocese.
Date: 16th February 2008
Time: 12:00pm
Venue: St Charles Parish, Victory Park

UNDERSTANDING THE WORDS and ACRONYMS.   
TOP = Termination of Pregnancy = abortion = killing an unborn baby in the womb.
Pro-life = against abortion and for life in all its forms.
PRO-LIFE = a movement of people who combat abortion in different ways
Pro-choice =  for a woman’s right to have control over her body and her fertility = abortion permitted if that is her choice.
BIRTH-RIGHT = a counselling resource for people in crisis because of a pregnancy.
Reproductive rights = a term used in formal documents, e.g. UN statements that usually includes the right to abortion.
RIGHT TO LIVE = a campaign that offers support and a home to pregnant women and their babies for a time.
Also offers a home to abused women and care for those with HIV/AIDS.  This movement began in Kwa-Zulu Natal and there are now 8 Mater homes in South Africa. See www.materhomes.com.   
TLC = The Love of Christ Ministries = a home outside Johannesburg for abandoned and orphaned children as a first step to their being adopted.  www.tlc.org.za

SITES
Site for Catholic Educators, with clipart, faith reflections and articles. Also helpful for parents.  http://www.silk.net/RelEd/newsletters07_2008.htm.    Find out about Utube and Godtube.
www.smartmarriages.com with very many resources about marriage.
For links and contacts of marriage and family movements in  South Africa visit www.marfam.org.za

UN REPORT UNVEILS EDUCATION NOT ENOUGH AS YOUTH JOBLESS RATE GROWS
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) has launched the World Youth Report 2007, titled “Young People’s Transition to Adulthood: Progress and Challenges.” The Report focuses on the obstacles faced by youth in finding decent work. According to the Director of the Division of Social Policy and Development at UNDESA, Johan Scholvink, educational gains have not been translated into increased employment opportunities. The Report reveals that, although education enrolment rates have increased, inadequate and low quality education perpetuates a mismatch between the skills acquired by youth at school and the demands of labour markets. The Report calls on governments to undertake measures to address the obstacles that limit youth participation in the development of their societies and to facilitate access to quality education and decent work opportunities. Link to further information   UN News Centre, 14 January 2008

UNITED NATIONS NEWS
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that 15 May of every year shall be observed as the International Day of Families.  The theme for the International Day of Families 2008 is Fathers and Families: Responsibilities and Challenges

Other Responsibilities and Challenges.  As happened in other countries when a big international sporting event was staged the question of legalising abortion has arisen here too in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. How can this moral dilemma be addressed? How will the Catholic church respond?

It this to be our final hope? 

39. Heavenly Reward?
This 85-year-old couple, having been married almost 60 years, died in a car crash. They had been in good health the last 10 years, mainly due to her interest in health food and exercise.
When they reached the pearly gates, St. Peter took them to their mansion, which was decked out with a beautiful kitchen, master bath suite and Jacuzzi.
As they oohed and aahed, the old man asked Peter how much all this was going to cost. "It's free," Peter replied. "This is Heaven."
Next they went out back to survey the championship golf course in the backyard. They would have golfing privileges every day, and each week the course would change to a new one, representing the great golf
courses on Earth.
The old man asked, "What are the greens fees?"
Peter's reply, "This is Heaven -- you play for free."
Next they went to the clubhouse and saw the lavish buffet lunch with the cuisine of the world laid out.
"How much to eat?" asked the old man.
"Don't you understand yet? This is Heaven, it's FREE!" Peter replied with some exasperation.
"Well, where are the low-fat and low-cholesterol tables?" the old man asked timidly.
Peter lectured, "That's the best part -- you can eat as much as you like of whatever you like and you never get fat and you never get sick. This is Heaven."
With that the old man went into a fit of anger, throwing down his hat and stomping on it, and shrieking wildly.
Peter and his wife both tried to calm him down, asking him what was wrong. The old man looked at his wife and said, "This is all your fault. If it weren't for your blasted bran muffins, I could have been here 10 years ago!"
From Walking with Jesus. www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php

Contact Marfam

Tel: +27 11 789 5449
Fax: +27 11 789 5449
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Web:
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Contact Marfam

Tel: +27 11 789 5449
Fax: +27 11 789 5449
Email: info@marfam.org.za
Web:
www.marfam.org.za