When you read the first account of creation in the book of Genesis, there is a distinct pattern; after each day of creation there is the line, "and God saw that it was good". Six times God declares his creation to be good but there is one time God declares that something is not good.  In the second account of creation, instead of creating man and woman together, God creates one human being first and places the being in the Garden of Eden.  No sooner had this lone individual been created though, does God declare "It is not good that the man should be alone".  The individual senses his solitude and desire to unite with another.

From the Garden of Eden through to today this sense of solitude has been a part of every human person's experience.  In the depth of our being we know that we are relational, so much so, that the Fathers of Vatican II wrote that unless we relate to others we can "neither live nor develop" our potential.

 

For those who believe their vocation lies in marriage this solitude can be very tangible. So how can one best prepare themself to meet that person who will walk with them through life to eternity?  Stephanie Wood, the coordinator of nextwavefaithful.com, believes the answer lies in praying for your future spouse before you meet them. To some it might seem like a strange idea but we prepare ourself for everything else in life, why not prepare ourself for that relationship that will make or break so much of our happiness in this life? 

 

I really enjoyed reading her article and seeing the practical ways that this idea had changed her personally for the better. This is a must read for all those on the path to marriage, even and especially if that is some time away.  Check out the article here.

 

On the subject of praying for one's spouse, here is a prayer for that exact topic, A Prayer for a Good Husband or Wife.  Pass it on to any single people you may know, no prayer is ever wasted!  

 

A number of years ago, the Bishops of the United States wrote a pastoral letter to parents who had children experiencing a same-sex attraction.  We offer it here to any parents who may find themselves in a similar situation: 

 

 

 

Read the complete message here.
 
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Every so often an opinion piece is found in the major newspapers that provides good food for thought on marriage.  The following article picked up from the Washington Post is one such piece. It is written by Mark Regnerus, a professor in sociology in Texas.

 

The message is clearly out there that young people should study, get going in their careers and become financially independant before considering marriage (in an odd twist, it is considered ok to live with someone in these early years, but just not to marry).

 

Regnerus believes however that marriage is not about two complete and independant people coming together, but rather, it works best as a "formative institution", that is for those who believe they are still being formed.

 

This is a short, well-written and good piece for consideration.

 

Read the complete article here.

 

 

Illness, Disability, Death...all of us are touched by these realities at some point. Not all of us like these realities, we don't always know what to do with them. 

 

In Western society we can forget that these most human events continue to exist right around us.  Walk into the foyer of a major hospital; they are worlds of their own, with shops, cafes and chapels. In them people suffer; some return to the wider world after the suffering is complete and others don't return at all. It is the same in nursing homes and respite facilities.  This matter of death and illness, is so often veiled in mystery.

 

A fear of suffering is natural (even the Lord asked that the cup of suffering be taken from him) but for those who do not believe, suffering and death is even more difficult to deal with.  It makes sense then, where belief in God grows dim, a growing number of people will wish to maintain control over the uncontrollable and switch off life when they have had enough. 

 

Margaret Sommerville, ethicist and academic, looks at one person who has made it his vocation to bring meaning to the suffering of others, that is, Jean Vanier, the founder of L'Arche.  Through the work of Vanier, the question is posed...can we see in death the final curtain call of a life that has been filled with meaning?

 

Read this very beautiful article here.

 

 

In July of this year, one year after World Youth Day, the Archdiocese of Sydney will again host a great event!

 

From 19-26 July there is a congress called SCENE - Sydney Congress Embracing the New Evangelisation - and it is open to families, parishes, teachers, priests, religious and individuals.  The Congress is made up of prayer, talks, workshops, testimonies and cultural events.  It is an event worth putting in your diary now but to find out more about it, including the congress program click here.

 

The Congress will is also to be blessed with the presence of a representation from the Community of Saint John, a relatively young, yet rapidly growing order of priests, brothers and sisters who live an intense life of prayer and work. 

 

One of the better known members of the community is Fr Antoine Thomas who is known for his apostolate of leading children in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  He has a gift for bringing the mystery of Christ's Real Presence alive in a way that the children can understand and love.  As one child said in testimony, "Jesus is really there!!" 

 

 

Fr Antoine will be here for the SCENE congress and will be available for parish and school bookings from 6-19 July to lead Adoration with children and adults.  It is a holiday activity that will bear much fruit in the lives of children (and everyone in the parish).  Bookings close 24 May and space is limited so have a look at their website here and book now on 9390 5437 or credooffice@sydney.catholic.org.au.

 

 

 

The Life, Marriage and Family Centre coordinates the Archdiocesan Family and Life Network (AFLN). The AFLN aims to enable members from all parishes to share their collective insights with respect to marriage and family issues and to hear about what is happening at a diocesan level.  Our central purpose is work collectively to promote life, marriage and family within the Church and the wider society.

 

We have about 30 parishes with members in the Network and we would love to increase this.  Have a look at our flyer and if you are interested in being involved in this important initiative you would be welcome.

 

Our next meeting is 26 May.

 

Q. Why bother?
A. As you probably know, 46-48% of marriages end in divorce.  But did you also know that:

~ For couples who worship together each Sunday only about 20% divorce.

~ For couples who also regularly pray together at home marital stability is even greater.

 

OK, so praying together can be divorce insurance but it sounds kind of awkward to me. Sure it's fine for priests and nuns or really holy people, but we're just a normal married couple.

Q. But we go to church on Sunday and say grace before meals. Isn't that enough?
A. That's great! Of course these prayer times are important and valuable, but they are different from couple prayer. There is a certain intimacy and vulnerability that comes from opening your heart to God in the presence of your spouse.

 

Q. OK, we might give it a try, but where do we start?
A.  There is no wrong way to pray and the desire to try is prayer in itself. First, some preliminary decisions: 
 
Read the rest of the article here.

 

Latest figures put national unemployment at just over 5%, and of course that is not a good thing for the economy or for the financial stability of families.  Even of more concern perhaps, is the way in which being out of work can affect an individual.  When a person who desires to work can find none, it can be demoralising and disheartening.  Work is a good thing for the human person, and in his encyclical on work, Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul wrote,

 

 

Each year on 1st May the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker which reminds us that all honest work, no matter how seemingly menial, can be sanctified.  Essentially, through work, a person can become holy by uniting all they do with the work of Jesus who was called 'the son of the carpenter'.  A lot of people dread work and race through the week to get to the weekend but that risks missing the point.  Our work is often the greatest opportunity we have to become saints!

 

We must pray for and support those then who are looking for work.  The following Novena to St Josemaria Escriva is one practical way to support any family and friends looking for work.  The Novena can also be prayed that those who are blessed enough to be working do a good job and honour God through their labours.

 

 

A few days ago I was at the ordination of four young men to the priesthood.  It was a wonderful occasion where the entire Church comes together, bishops, priests, deacons and the faithful.  The music was inspiring and the liturgy was spectacular.  I don't think someone could attend such a Mass and walk away not feeling they had been lifted to heaven for a short time.

 

The ordination ceremony brought to mind two short but terrific videos on the Catholic Church that serve to remind us of how much the Church has given to the world and the great joys that are there for the faithful.  We should be proud of the Church and desire to share it with others. It truly is wonderful to be Catholic! If you've been away from the Church, come home, if you're not a Catholic, join us, we'd love to have you!

 

 

So if you can use a bit of inspiration (can't we all) have a look at these two videos.  If these don't move you to think "wow, thank goodness for my Catholic faith", I'll be mighty surprised.

 

The first is a TV ad that was created for the USA called, Catholics Come Home: Epic  

 

The second was created for a Confirmation Retreat and gives six reasons for being Catholic and is titled "Why am I Catholic"

 

 

From MercatorNet, 14 Feb 2009. 

 

An interesting interesting article caught my eye this week with its catchy subtitle: "I should have ditched feminism for love, children and baking". In that article, Zoe Lewis writes about her regret at pursuing a career at the expense of relationships and children. Now nearly 37 and a successful playwright, she has woken up to the reality of an empty pot at the end of the feminist rainbow: "from what I see and feel, loving relationships and children bring more happiness than work ever can".

 

 

The article provides an interesting contrast to Guiomar Barbi Ochoa's wonderful story on MercatorNet of meeting the right man in a chance encounter at 33 years old. This was slightly ironic in that Ochoa had not been leaving things to chance but had pursued the matter of a spouse quite deliberately for some time -- unlike those of her peers who want to believe that you can do your own thing, pursue your career dreams and interests, and, at the right time the perfect man will simply pop into your life and sweep you off your feet. In my experience, however, this kind of dream encounter eludes many good women today who seem to be doing everything else according to plan -- that is, following their own careers, dreams and interests and "working on themselves" while trying to be happy and optimistic about their lives despite the continued lack of a partner.

 

Read the complete article here. 

 

There are a lot of different events coming up and here are a few that you should know about.  If you are hosting an event that you think we should also be promoting let us know!  

 

 

Congress of the Family will take place in Sydney on Sunday 19 July during the SCENE congress. This day will involve Mass, a family picnic and workshops for parents and children. Note down the details here. 

 

A group of Australians are travelling to the USA in September to undertake a week-long course learning about the Theology of the Body with Christopher West.  This is an amazing course and it is open to anyone, any age and in any vocation. Their video with information is here.