Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: November 01, 2015
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Last weekend a special meeting in Rome concluded. Known as the Synod on the Family, representative bishops from throughout the world discussed many issues relating to family life, and ultimately issued numerous advisory perspectives to Pope Francis. The bishops’ principal emphases were to promote and strengthen family life, since families are the foundational “cells” not only of the Church but also of civil society as well. They strongly affirmed the goodness of and blessings within families of every sort.
While secular media preferred to report on the incremental changes in Church practice recommended to Pope Francis for further study and development – remember, to a journalist, novelty and conflict are what sell, while conventional and settled things seem boring! – I think it’s important for us all to recognize the traditional Church teaching about the importance of the family unit. The family is rather invariably the place where God’s love first dwells and thrives. This is worthy of our attention. This is what we want to happen!
This is where the Synod’s realizations reassure us. Every family situation is unique. Many families deal with unusual circumstances, such as ill health, poverty and marital breakdown. Many families feature single-again parents, “merged” households, and atypical living situations. It’s not unusual for grandparents and same-sex couples to be raising children. In other parts of the world especially, many families face persecution and extreme injustice and violence. Still, God’s voice speaks to all of these with His words of wisdom and strength, inspiring them with His love and consoling them with His healing. No family is ever distant from the Lord, and therefore from His holy Church.
The Synod basically borrowed favorite concepts from Pope Francis in describing how all of us should approach family ministry: “accompaniment” is the first responsibility. God accompanies us, and we all accompany each other along the journey of life, even if it’s an unusual journey! Presence to each other and time spent with each other is essential in every situation. Then, within that supportive environment, the next essential step of “discernment” of particular realities and decisions takes place. To do the right thing unawares is an accident, but to do so after full and conscious consideration is a grace. To do the wrong thing inadvertently is unfortunate, but to do so with full purpose is worse, and usually sinful.
Say a quick prayer of thanks and blessing for all of the bishops’ hard work at the Synod. It’s not easy shepherding a worldwide and still pilgrim Church! And pray for Pope Francis, as in the months ahead he continues to implement the Synod’s recommendations in more concrete ways!
Sincerely in the Lord,
