"The family, which is founded and given life by love, is a community of persons." (Familiaris Consortio 18) Saint Pope John Paul II.
Dear Clergy of Southwark,
This summer we are all invited to spiritually gather as a World Family in Christ to celebrate the joy, love, and glory that is the vocation of family life through The World Meeting of Families (WMF), Wednesday 22nd to Sunday 26th June 2022.
At past meetings most families stayed at home with the meeting perceived as being something remote, at most followed on television, and unknown to the majority of families. This time WMF will have a special format with an opportunity provided by providence to create a worldwide event that can involve all families that would like to feel part of the ecclesial community.
Under the title 'Rome at Home' we will be developing ways to celebrate the gift of family life.
In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis speaks about the importance of parish life. He refers to Saint Pope John Paul II's description of a parish as "the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters" (Christifideles Laici,26). We are encouraged and strengthened through our community, while we are formed by the Holy Spirit.
Pope Francis highlights that a parish is called to be the presence of the Church in a community, providing a place where people can hear God's word, grow in discipleship, and extend themselves in love to the poor and needy, bringing families together – a place where we can pray, worship, and celebrate together. (Amorim Laetitia 87,88).
In a 2005 address, Pope Benedict XVI described the parish as an extended family that "brings together brothers and sisters who have no desire for power or selfish interests, but who live in the joy of the charity of God, who is love." It is when we come together at Mass, as a community in Christ, that we see the great variety of families who make up our extended parish family.
It is a special joy when we see young families taking part in the Mass and engaged in the life of the parish. When the babies are crying, or fidgety children are making a noise; these are all signs that the Church is young and alive; a community of young families, mature families, extended families, young and old together.
The world meeting of families will offer a great opportunity to remember those families who have fallen away during the pandemic for whatever reason, reflecting on the recent synodal questions: "Are we aware of those at the edge of our community?" and "Are we welcoming?"
What better way to celebrate the joy of family life, than to embrace the opportunity that is this year's World Meeting of Families, inviting everyone back home to Mother Church to celebrate just as the Father does with the return of the Prodigal Son.
Ways to get involved:
Perhaps use the opportunity provided by national marriage week (May 16-22) to launch your plans for WMF.
1. Offer each family a card upon which they can write the names of their families and post it into a box that sits on the Sanctuary. Offer a Mass over the WMF weekend for all those families.
2. Share the prayer card with all members of your parish and encourage its use. Perhaps pray it together at the end of the Mass on June 18/19 and 25/26 June – the two weekends nearest the WMF.
3. Hold a parish picnic to celebrate the joy of family life that coincides with the closing of the WMF, Sunday 26 June. Pope Francis will be delivering a message during the Angelus on that Sunday.
Why not get your welcomers to encourage the parish, particularly families whose children are preparing for receiving a particular sacrament.
Building up and supporting families doesn't have to stop after June 26! Let us know how we, the Marriage and Family Life Team, can support you.
Please contact us on email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Or look on the diocesan website for more information https://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk Registered Charity Number 1173050
Dear Clergy of Southwark,
This summer we are all invited to spiritually gather as a World Family in Christ to celebrate the joy, love, and glory that is the vocation of family life through The World Meeting of Families (WMF), Wednesday 22nd to Sunday 26th June 2022.
At past meetings most families stayed at home with the meeting perceived as being something remote, at most followed on television, and unknown to the majority of families. This time WMF will have a special format with an opportunity provided by providence to create a worldwide event that can involve all families that would like to feel part of the ecclesial community.
Under the title 'Rome at Home' we will be developing ways to celebrate the gift of family life.
In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis speaks about the importance of parish life. He refers to Saint Pope John Paul II's description of a parish as "the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters" (Christifideles Laici,26). We are encouraged and strengthened through our community, while we are formed by the Holy Spirit.
Pope Francis highlights that a parish is called to be the presence of the Church in a community, providing a place where people can hear God's word, grow in discipleship, and extend themselves in love to the poor and needy, bringing families together – a place where we can pray, worship, and celebrate together. (Amorim Laetitia 87,88).
In a 2005 address, Pope Benedict XVI described the parish as an extended family that "brings together brothers and sisters who have no desire for power or selfish interests, but who live in the joy of the charity of God, who is love." It is when we come together at Mass, as a community in Christ, that we see the great variety of families who make up our extended parish family.
It is a special joy when we see young families taking part in the Mass and engaged in the life of the parish. When the babies are crying, or fidgety children are making a noise; these are all signs that the Church is young and alive; a community of young families, mature families, extended families, young and old together.
The world meeting of families will offer a great opportunity to remember those families who have fallen away during the pandemic for whatever reason, reflecting on the recent synodal questions: "Are we aware of those at the edge of our community?" and "Are we welcoming?"
What better way to celebrate the joy of family life, than to embrace the opportunity that is this year's World Meeting of Families, inviting everyone back home to Mother Church to celebrate just as the Father does with the return of the Prodigal Son.
Ways to get involved:
Perhaps use the opportunity provided by national marriage week (May 16-22) to launch your plans for WMF.
1. Offer each family a card upon which they can write the names of their families and post it into a box that sits on the Sanctuary. Offer a Mass over the WMF weekend for all those families.
2. Share the prayer card with all members of your parish and encourage its use. Perhaps pray it together at the end of the Mass on June 18/19 and 25/26 June – the two weekends nearest the WMF.
3. Hold a parish picnic to celebrate the joy of family life that coincides with the closing of the WMF, Sunday 26 June. Pope Francis will be delivering a message during the Angelus on that Sunday.
- Use one of the recordings from the Theological Congress to promote discussion with your parish team about the ongoing development of family ministry within your parish. You can find them here: romefamily2022.com
Why not get your welcomers to encourage the parish, particularly families whose children are preparing for receiving a particular sacrament.
Building up and supporting families doesn't have to stop after June 26! Let us know how we, the Marriage and Family Life Team, can support you.
Please contact us on email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Or look on the diocesan website for more information https://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk Registered Charity Number 1173050
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