By Amy WhiteThe Texas Catholic On the wall of a large, newly renovated classroom at St. Monica Catholic School, a…
family
Every year at the end of July, our parish staff sets aside a week for staff development. This is a time to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts and our ministries for the coming school and faith formation year. It’s a week of spiritual renewal, shared learning, and, yes, even a bit of office cleaning as we reset for the months ahead. We invite speakers, share stories, and encourage one another in the mission we carry together.
The Vatican has released the framework for a fall meeting with the heads of Eastern Catholic Churches and presidents of bishops’ conferences, marking the 10th anniversary of “Amoris Laetitia” and focusing on the Church’s pastoral approach to families.
The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life have jointly published a new document offering guidelines for families related to the care for creation and human life.
Marriage, like every vocation, “can only arise from a personal encounter with Christ,” with the Church offering the “precious tools” of community and witness to foster that experience, said the head of the Vatican’s key office for marriage and family life.
Being a Christian means recognizing every person as a brother or sister and always being ready to lend a helping hand, Pope Leo XIV said.
A society cannot pretend to be pro-family if it does not adopt policies that allow parents and children to spend time together rather than always being worried about work, Pope Leo XIV said.
What began as a handful of Catholic couples seeking fellowship has grown into a faith-filled community where marriages have been strengthened, children have been raised, and friendships have endured for generations. For five decades, the CANA Club has woven a tapestry of faith and fellowship, shaping not only the lives of its members but also the families and parishes that surround them.
Six years ago, Marcus Robinson and a few other dads organized a short pilgrimage for their sons. The boys loved it so much that they did the same pilgrimage the following year, and the year after that, inviting more and more people each year.
The strength of families and their ability to thrive and witness as a “domestic Church” require support from the wider Church and from governments, particularly in the face of poverty, Pope Leo XIV said.