The past few sessions of That Man Is You (that meets on Tuesday mornings from 5:30-7:00am in the Family Center) have focused on the great importance of the family as the domestic church.  Last weekend (February 4-5) my sermon was on the words of the Prophet Isaiah: ‘and do not turn your back on your own’ and ‘remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech.’ (Isaiah 58:7-10) I spoke about how the words of Isaiah help us to live well within our family and among the relationships of our lives.

In my weekly note in the bulletin, I want today to reflect with you about how our homes and our families are really our first church and our first school. My first reflection is how significant is the influence of the parents in how they do their best in setting up their home, the schedule of the family, the use of their time and how much quality time the members of the family spend together. The example, the leadership and the guidance of the father and the mother in the home profoundly affects the well being, the health and the growth of the children as well as the parents in faith, in maturity and in responsibility. I ask all parents to pray, to discuss and to manage their home and family time. May all parents have the wisdom of the Lord in organizing their families with the proper balance of prayer, play, study and work. May each family spend quality time together with each other as well as with other family members, relatives and friends. The way families live in this age and time presents a challenge. The energy and the effort we all make with the help of the Lord for the good of our family will bring about great benefits now and in the future.

One of the most helpful practices in families is to have regular family meetings to share with one another the things that go on in the family.  The parents take the lead and take time to let each member of the family share with one another how they feel, what they want for the family, how they get along, how they can help and encourage one another, how they can make the family better, what things they want to do together and whatever else is important to the members of the family. Such family meetings are wonderful teaching moments for the children and for the parents.

Family prayer is probably one of the very best things that families do, daily if possible. Having a regular time each evening to pray gives the family a time to be together, a time to focus on the Lord and our faith, a time to quiet down and a time to share something very important together.  Among the prayers that I suggest families pray daily are the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Glory be to the Father and the Act of Contrition. I also recommend the Prayer of St. Francis, Mother Stuart’s Prayer, the Serenity Prayer, the Hail Holy Queen, the Memorare, the Prayer to St. Michael and any number of others. Letting the children offer their own personal prayers and letting the children take turns in leading the family prayer time helps the time together as a family be a true blessing.

Bible reading is so valuable to the health, peace, harmony and well being of the family as well as for each one of us.  The family could do the weekly Bible homework together and let one of the children read the bible versed from the family Bible. After reading the words of the Scripture, the family can discuss what the passage means and how the words of the Bible help the family to love God, to love one another and to do what God teaches. Several other passages are good for family bible reading and discussion; the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12), 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Colossians 3:12-17, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 4:4-8, Luke 6:36-38, John 15:9-14 and Galatians 5:22-26.

My prayers, love, best wishes and gratitude to you and to your loved ones for who you are, for all you do for the Lord and for the good of St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish. May the Psalm of Mass this weekend teach us: ‘Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord.’ “Instruct me, O Lord, in the way of your statutes, that I may exactly observe them. Give me discernment, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart.” (Psalm 119:33-34)

SHALOM!

Fr. Gary

Homework for the week of February 12 – February 18

<Mathew 7:12