Families
MINISTRIES FOR FAMILIES
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, I reasoned as a child. When I became a (wo)man, I put aside the things of childhood, for now we see in a mirror confusedly, but then we shall see face to face. Now I know only partially, then I shall know fully, just as I am fully known. Now faith, hope and love abide, the three of them, but the greatest of them is love.” (1 Cor 13, 11 – 13)
St. Paul´s words to the Corinthians remind us how baptism is the beginning of our spiritual journey with and in the Lord, but how we remain “pilgrims on the way” until we reach our heavenly home. We therefore need to grow continually in the Lord through the circumstances and challenges of our daily lives: as children, as adults, as families.
We do this nourished by the sacraments, most especially in the Eucharist, but also by our dedication to personal times of prayer. “A family that prays together stays together” is an age-old saying (cf. Proverbs 22.6) which still is true today, but how often do we need help and encouragement to persevere!
Our children know how to appreciate good stories and the Bible certainly offers these in abundance. Our own faith is deepened by reading Scripture and thoughtful interpretation (through private spiritual reading or interaction with others) of how this reflects and what it means in our personal lives and in today´s world and society.
Now, more than ever, families are looking for guidance and support as they manage the challenges of life in the modern world. The Catholic Church strives to implement a vision of marriage and family ministry encompassing the entire life cycle, and assist families get through the various challenges of marriage, bringing up children, economic hardship and developing their faith.
Our two ministries in the parish of St Hilda’s respond to accompanying people, appropriate to their ages and needs, and encouraging families to find support in many ways in the Church, and specifically in our parish community