Staff Report

First Weekend of October: Commemorate Respect Life Weekend by taking an hour with the family and praying for life, for the unborn, for the forgotten, for those on death row. As a family pray the rosary and celebrate the gift of life, the gift of family and friends. Take some time to pray for the end of violence in our country and the world, and pray for healing of hearts for those who have been affected by violence.

Throughout October: Take some time as a family and reflect on those in your life that have hurt you and those in your life you have hurt. You may want to send a letter, text, or email and reach out and celebrate your relationship and free those past wounds that can weigh us down. Think about Christ’s charge that we turn the other cheek. Reflect on those times when anger clouds our view of life, and to ask for God’s strength in abating that anger. Throughout October: Is there a family member or friend that has been forgotten for any number of reasons. Reach out to those, especially the elderly, and take some time to call them, or visit them. Perhaps pick up a favorite meal they like, or bring a gift the family made (a drawing, card, etc.) Take a weekend day to perhaps help them around the house, or talk with them and find out their needs and how you can help.

October 22^nd: St. John Paul II Feast Day. At dinner reflect on St. John Paul II’s warning about the culture of death that has invaded our society. Read and reflect on the following: St. John Paul II tells us, “Every human person – no matter how vulnerable or helpless, no matter how young or how old, no matter how healthy, handicapped or sick, no matter how useful or productive for society – is a being of inestimable worth created in the image and likeness of God. This is the dignity of America, the reason she exists, the condition for her survival – yes, the ultimate test of her greatness: to respect every human person, especially the weakest and most defenseless ones, those as yet unborn.” -St. John Paul II September 18, 1987

Anytime in October: As Autumn begins in earnest, as a family, take a hike and enjoy God’s magnificent creation in the colors, the air we breathe, animals, lakes and streams. During the hike take some quiet time and do an examination of conscience in preparation for reconciliation. Make a family activity to go to reconciliation, and celebrate God’s great gift of life.

Posted September 29, 2015