After so many weeks of “social distancing” and many families being at home under such stressful conditions, this may be a good time to remember an important teaching that was outlined in the constitutional document on the Church from Vatican II, Lumen Gentium (“The Light of the Nations”), paragraph 11 (italics are mine): “The family is, so to speak, the domestic church. In it parents should, by their word and example, be the first preachers of the faith to their children; they should encourage them in the vocation which is proper to each of them, fostering with special care vocation to a sacred state.” Building from this, Pope Francis has said that the Church is a “family of families”. Strong families are needed for a strong Church, and when parents are lacking the support they are used to having in parishes because of the epidemic, it’s important to support parents by encouraging them to step into their role and providing the resources for them to do so.
As difficult as that is under normal circumstances, I can’t imagine how it must be at the moment. It must be especially challenging to watch live-streamed and televised Masses because they have small children who can barely pay attention when they are in Mass; in the same space where they just watched Frozen 2, the kids are understandably distracted. Parents should take heart and as the “priests in the home” they could consider leading their family in prayer in a new way.
Recognizing this, I would encourage parents to make use of the resources that the Diocese has provided for this time Faith at Home (www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home). Parents can find some amazing tools to help keep their children (and maybe even themselves!) engaged in their Catholic faith. I would encourage you to take a look and bring your family together in prayer, both in Mass and at other times, building the faith that will support you today and in the times to come. You continue to be in my prayers and I am looking forward with great anticipation to that joyful day that we can once again gather together in prayer and praise.
Announcement: Please join me in welcoming our new associate! Fr. Michael Kennedy, currently serving as Parochial Vicar at St. Katherine Drexel in Burlington, will be joining our parish family on July 1st. I know that, as a wonderful, caring priest, he will be a great asset for Visitation Parish!
The family is the original cell of social life. It is the natural society in which husband and wife are called to give themselves in love and in the gift of life. Authority, stability, and a life of relationships within the family constitute the foundations for freedom, security, and fraternity within society. The family is the community in which, from childhood, one can learn moral values, begin to honor God, and make good use of freedom. Family life is an initiation into life in society.
May
10
Join us in our Live-Streamed Mass this weekend!
Until we are able to come together in worship join us at our live-streamed Mass this Sunday at 9AM by going to
youtu.be/NlPn4n6YZ6cThere will be a Mothers Day blessing after Communion.
We'd love to have you join us!
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Our FORMED Recommendation for the Week
Video(6:56 minutes): Why Doesn't God Just Show Himself?
If there is a God, and God can do anything, then why doesn't He just show Himself? Wouldn’t that make it a whole lot easier to believe? Then wouldn’t everyone believe? We all might flirt with this question at some point in our lives, maybe in a moment of doubt or discouragement. Yes, God could reveal Himself in any way he wants. So the question is: what would be the best way for God to reveal Himself?... well, how would you do it?
If you haven't done so already, go to https://visitationrcchurch.formed.org/, click on the REGISTER NOW button. Enter your e-mail address on the registration screen and you're good to go!
Do you find these weekly eCommunity mailings useful and think that family members or friends could benefit? Invite them either by having them text VisitationBrick to 84576 on their smartphone or by signing up on our parish website at http://visitationrcchurch.org/ - we'd love to have them join us!