An Invitation from the Bishops of England and Wales to Reflect on the Gift of Marriage and Family Life.
Pope Francis :
"Dear families, the Lord knows our struggles: he knows them.
He knows the burdens we have in our lives. But the Lord also knows our great desire to find joy and rest !
Do you remember? Jesus said, "...that your joy may be complete." (cf. Jn 15:11) Jesus wants our joy to be complete!"
Pope Francis on Marriage
“Those who celebrate the sacrament say, ‘I promise to be true to you, in joy and in sadness, in sickness and in health; I will love you and honour you all the days of my life.’ At that moment, the couple does not know what will happen, nor what joys and pains await them. They are setting out, like Abraham, on a journey together. And that is what marriage is! Setting out and walking together, hand in hand, putting yourselves in the Lord’s powerful hands. Hand in hand, always and for the rest of your lives. And do not pay attention to this makeshift culture, which can shatter our lives.”
Read and Reflect
We ask you to reflect on the different stages of marriage and family life: falling in love, engagement, the celebration of marriage, the early years; children, joys and sorrows, teenage children, alone as a couple, the elderly years. Prayerfully read and reflect on these scripture stories:
• The faith of Abraham and Sarah (Gen 12:1-9)
• The prayer of Tobias and Sarah (Tobit 8:4-8)
• Mary – the Annunciation and Visitation (Luke 1:26-56)
• The presentation of Jesus in the temple (Luke 2: 22-40)
• The wedding feast of Cana (John 2: 1-12)
• Mary and John at the foot of the cross (John 19.24-27)
• The disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-32)
How do these stories touch your own call, journey and mission as a family?
For more information:
http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/Home/Featured/An-Invitation-to-Reflect-on-the-Gift-of-Marriage-and-Family-Life
for further reflection or support
catholicfamily.org.uk The dedicated Marriage and Family Life website of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
homeisaholyplace.org.uk A resource to help reflect on God’s presence at home
familias-ew.org.uk Details of diocesan coordinators of marriage and family ministry
cedar.uk.net Catholics Experiencing Domestic Abuse Resources
marriagecare.org.uk Marriage Care – Preparation and Counselling
Pope Francis :
"Dear families, the Lord knows our struggles: he knows them.
He knows the burdens we have in our lives. But the Lord also knows our great desire to find joy and rest !
Do you remember? Jesus said, "...that your joy may be complete." (cf. Jn 15:11) Jesus wants our joy to be complete!"
Pope Francis on Marriage
“Those who celebrate the sacrament say, ‘I promise to be true to you, in joy and in sadness, in sickness and in health; I will love you and honour you all the days of my life.’ At that moment, the couple does not know what will happen, nor what joys and pains await them. They are setting out, like Abraham, on a journey together. And that is what marriage is! Setting out and walking together, hand in hand, putting yourselves in the Lord’s powerful hands. Hand in hand, always and for the rest of your lives. And do not pay attention to this makeshift culture, which can shatter our lives.”
Read and Reflect
We ask you to reflect on the different stages of marriage and family life: falling in love, engagement, the celebration of marriage, the early years; children, joys and sorrows, teenage children, alone as a couple, the elderly years. Prayerfully read and reflect on these scripture stories:
• The faith of Abraham and Sarah (Gen 12:1-9)
• The prayer of Tobias and Sarah (Tobit 8:4-8)
• Mary – the Annunciation and Visitation (Luke 1:26-56)
• The presentation of Jesus in the temple (Luke 2: 22-40)
• The wedding feast of Cana (John 2: 1-12)
• Mary and John at the foot of the cross (John 19.24-27)
• The disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-32)
How do these stories touch your own call, journey and mission as a family?
For more information:
http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/Home/Featured/An-Invitation-to-Reflect-on-the-Gift-of-Marriage-and-Family-Life
for further reflection or support
catholicfamily.org.uk The dedicated Marriage and Family Life website of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
homeisaholyplace.org.uk A resource to help reflect on God’s presence at home
familias-ew.org.uk Details of diocesan coordinators of marriage and family ministry
cedar.uk.net Catholics Experiencing Domestic Abuse Resources
marriagecare.org.uk Marriage Care – Preparation and Counselling