Dear Holy St. Patrick Families!
I pray that you have been enjoying your Christmas Holiday! Here comes 2020!!!
Last Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Holy Family! I am always inspired by the Holy Family. Can you imagine what the every day life of Mary, Joseph and Jesus was like?
Did Mary ever have to "remind" Jesus to do his chores, finish his homework, eat his vegetables?
I love Pope Francis' quote above, "holiness does not mean performing extraordinary things but carrying out daily things in extraordinary way -
that is with love, joy and faith" I am sure Mary did live with love, joy and faith!
How Holy Can My Family Be?
Here is an excerpt from an article about "
The Holy Family and Holiness",
December 30, 2018 by
Deacon Frederick Bartels that I found interesting about actually living as the Holy family lived.
"The Christian family is destined to be “a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit” (CCC 2205). That is indeed a high and holy calling.
The Holy Family reminds us all of what it’s like to live within the context of God’s loving plan. It’s not always easy; it’s not a life for cowards. It has its costs and always includes personal sacrifice. But such a way of life, the way of holiness in free and loving obedience to God, is for everyone who desires the love of God. Everyone is called by God to holiness in his Son, Jesus Christ—a call that leaves out no one.
Is it possible? To live the life of holiness? God makes it possible for anyone who sincerely desires his love and the fullness of life he offers.
To begin the journey, give yourself over in self-entrustment to Christ. Then live as he lived. Live as the Holy Family lived.
The life of holiness: it’s the key to happiness
.
God will not ask us to do what cannot be done! Pope Francis gives us lots of ideas, too! In fact, The theme for the next World Meeting of Families, which will take place in Rome from June 23 to 27, 2021 is:
“Family love: vocation and path to holiness”
Rome 2021 will focus on family love as a vocation and a way to holiness. Family relationships in daily life can have a redeeming value: the proposal is to reread
Amoris Laetitia
"The Joy of Love" in the light of the call to holiness of
Gaudete et Exsultate
“the call to holiness in the contemporary world.” If you have some extra time, read these...they are very inspiring!!!
How do you start? Here is a suggestion for tonight, New Years Eve!!! or tomorrow, New Years Day: Take some time as a family reading the Pope's pamphlet and creating a family mission statement (see below) for the year (in lieu of New Years Resolutions). Keep it Simple! Write your mission statement (one or two sentences/points max), put them on your fridge. Pray for courage and strength to live them out this year!
You are a Holy Family, even with struggles and challenges! Remember,
The life of holiness: it’s the key to happiness
.
My continued prayer for you and your families is to imagine together - a life filled with more peace, love, joy and holiness!!!
Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Blessings,
Nancy Longo
Director of Religious Education
562-822-8779 (cell)
512-759-3712 (office)
Here is a video on some ideas about being that Holy Family! It's only 5.41 minutes.
