The Holy Family

THE COUPLE THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

 Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

 December 30^th 2018 – January 5^th 2019

 The Holy Family

“His mother stored up all these things in her heart.” One of the lovely things about a new young family is the excitement of recording every movement and sound of the newly born baby. Countless photographs are taken and produced on every occasion. Reports are sent around to family members and anyone else who will listen. This is the picture we have of Mary today as she marvelled at her new born son Jesus. And this is where real holiness is found. We name Jesus, Mary and Joseph the Holy Family, not because they were pious but because of the great love that filled their hearts and their home. That is the challenge for every home and family. With the pressures of life, the wonder of each person can be lost. The pressure of this feast is to get our priorities right, to put our love first and in this way make Jesus present.

Morning Prayer, when together

Father, help us to live as the holy family,

united in respect and love.

Bring us, as a married couple, to the joy and peace

of your eternal home.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

During the day, when apart

Lord, accept the gift of our married love.

Through the prayers of Mary and her husband Joseph

unite our families in peace and love.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

Evening/Night Prayer together

Eternal Father, we want to live as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,

in peace with you and one another.

May our sacrament of marriage strengthen us

to face the challenges of life.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Questions for Action for the week

For your marriage: What are some of the nice things you know about the parents of your wife/husband and your own parents?

Share these this week.

For others: How could you contact each member of your own family this week?

www.continuousprayer.net

Couple Prayer:   How to use it

• See it as a little weekly programme for living and growing your marriage

• On Friday evening or Saturday, take a half hour or so to talk together about your marriage in the light of the Scripture reflection. This is always taken from the Sunday Mass, so it is also a couple preparation for this celebration of the Eucharist.

• During this half hour spend some time answering the two questions at the bottom of the sheet, firstly by writing your own personal response to them and then, as appropriate, sharing your answers with each other

•  From Sunday to Saturday pray the short prayer for your marriage, Morning and Evening when together, and during the day when you are on your own. These prayers are based on the prayers that are special to each Sunday Mass

• If possible, meet occasionally with other married couples to share your reflections and to support one another

 Consider the following statistics as quoted in For Better & For Ever p.130 by Fr. Robert A. Ruhnke, C.Ss.R. 

• The current divorce rate in the U.S. is about 50%
  
• Of those couples who worship together each Sunday, the divorce rate is 3.3%
• Of those couples who also pray regularly together in their home, the divorce rate is 0.3%

This is well worth thinking about!