Archdiocese of Atlanta The Church of the Good Shepherd The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph December 28, 2014

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1 Archdiocese of Atlanta The Church of the Good Shepherd The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph December 28, 2014 The child s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him.. Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel Luke 2:22-40 Rev. Francis X. Richardson, Pastor Deacon Ralph LaMachia Rev. Ignacio Morales, Parochial Vicar Deacon Donald Nadeau 3740 Holtzclaw RD Cumming, GA Telephone Line: FAX: Website: SACRAMENTAL EMERGENCY NUMBER:

2 CLERGY AND STAFF Good Shepherd Mass Schedule Priests Saturday Vigil 5:00 P.M. Fr. Frank Richardson, Pastor ext Fr. Ignacio Morales, Parochial Vicar ext Sunday 7:30, 7:30 a.m (Español in Gym) 9:00, 11:00 a.m. Deacons 1:00 p.m. (Español) Rev. Mr. Don Sunday Evening 5:30 p.m. Rev. Mr. Ralph LaMachia...ext DAILY -- Mass (Mon-Sat) 9:00 a.m. Parish Office Staff Terese Duffey, Admin Asst and Bulletin ext RECONCILIATION: Laura Irvine, Parish Bookkeeper ext Saturday 9:30-10:30 a.m. Departmental Staff Leaders Parish Life Center Office Hours Deacon Ralph LaMachia, DRE & Faith Monday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. -4:00 Renee Lee, Faith Formation Registrar ext 19 p.m. Tanya Franco, PreSchool Director ext CLOSED ON FRIDAY Alison Toledano, PreSchool Office Pastoral Office Center Hours Nancy Smith, Music and Liturgy Director: ext Monday Friday Susan LaMachia, Recreation Program Director ext 35 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Michael Gagnon, High School Coordinator and Confirmation Coordinator: Holy Day Mass Times and Directions ext. 22 ext Garry Lee, Middle School Coordinator ext Men s Club: Cynthia Hagen, Elementary Coordinator ext CHagen@gsrcc.net All Men of the Parish Gloria Clavijo, Hispanic Coordinator ext GClavijo@gsrcc.net are welcome to join the Men's Club. Our purpose is to foster Rudy Velasco, RCIC Coordinator ext RVelasco@gsrcc.net fellowship and spirituality among the Men of the Parish by supporting and assisting in the activities of the parish and various Marriage: Contact the Pastoral Office Center at least 6 months prior to anticipated wedding date. Baptism: Please go to our website under downloads Baptism. Contact Deacon Ralph LaMachia at x 16 for additional information. Confirmation: Preparation is a two year process, beginning in 9th grade and concluding in 10th. Visit our website under the download section and click Confirmation. Please contact Michael Gagnon, extension 33 for detailed information. RCIA Program: Interested in becoming a Catholic? Please contact the Parish Office at for information and suggested courses. Recreation Programs: Young and Old, sports or athletics ~ contact Susan LaMachia for details at extension 35. St. Vincent de Paul Society: If you are in financial difficulties or you wish to donate or volunteer your time to our Society, please call Prayer Blanket Ministry: Our mission statement is Through the gift of a prayer blanket, symbolizing Faith, Hope, Love and Peace and a commitment of daily prayer by its members, our Ministry seeks to obtain healing, protection, or strength and grace for those on our Prayer Blanket Ministry List. We meet monthly during the school year on the First Friday of each month after the 9:00 a.m. Mass in Room 203 in the Parish Life Center. For additional information, please contact Judy Nielson at fortuna1064@hotmail.com. If you are in need of a prayer blanket, please notify the Parish Office at St. Monica s Sodality: All parishioners are invited to pray every Wednesday morning at 8:20 a.m. prior to Rosary and Mass, for our loved ones to come back to our Catholic Faith and Church. The intentions of Holy Mass on the first Wednesday of every month will be for all those listed in our "Book of Intentions". Any questions or if you have someone to add to our "Confidential Intentions Book", please Vicki Winslow at len.vicki@windstream.net or call at Walking with Purpose: Weekly meetings are in progress every Thursday from 9:30-11:30 am or 6:30-8:30 pm. Childcare will be provided for morning sessions. For additional information about this ministry, visit or Judy Guilfoil at jguilfoil@bellsouth.net organizations. We usually meet with Monthly Breakfast meetings on the First Saturday of the month from September through May. For additional information, please contact Jim Reilly at Council of Catholic Women: All women of the Parish belong to the Women s Council General meetings are the second Tuesday of the month 7 P.M. in the PLC. Special occasion meetings Contact Sandy Andersen andersen5320@gmail.com or for information. The Courtyard of Remembrance Engraved bricks are available for a donation of $ per brick. Contact Pat Lyons for more information at Planning an Event? Contact Susan LaMachia at ext 35 for rental of our facilities information. Holy Family Counseling Center The counselors at Holy Family Counseling Center want to provide you with assistance and guidance to help you navigate the difficulties you encounter in life. We provide counseling from a Catholic, Christian perspective and utilize the most up to date counseling techniques in our field. Our main office is located in Duluth with offices located throughout the Atlanta area and we are very pleased to announce that we are available to see clients on site here at Good Shepherd. We help individuals, couples and families as well as teens and children. Your emotional health is just as important as your physical health. We want to help you heal. Take the first step and call our main office at or visit our website at

3 The Holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph December 28, 2014 Thanks to all who volunteered their time and talent to decorate our new worship space for Christmas and the New Year. May God bless all of our families and may Peace prevail in Fr. Frank We ask that you keep in your prayers those who have died, that they may receive the goodness and mercy of Our Lord. Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 Mary, The Holy Mother of God Schedule of Masses Dec. 31st: 9:00 a.m. (Mass in English) 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass 7:30 p.m. Vigil Mass in Spanish Jan. 1st: 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Please note: The Parish Office, The Parish Life Center, and Pre-School will be closed through January 2nd. If you have a sacramental emergency requiring the assistance of one of our Priests, we ask that you call: Fr. Frank, Fr. Ignacio, the Deacons and Staff of the Church of the Good Shepherd wish all of you a Happy and Blessed New Year! Today is the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. We hear the words: The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. As we remember the poor during this new year may we also grow in wisdom and have the favor of God upon us. Please remember to support the St. Vincent DePaul Society in the coming year so that together we can continue to bring comfort and peace to our brothers and sisters who are suffering Calendars are here! We ask that you take only one per family. Worried about your loved one s faith? Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Phillippians 4:6 The St. Monica Sodality: All parishioners are invited to join the St. Monica's Sodality in prayer every Wednesday morning at 8:20 a.m. prior to Rosary and Mass, to pray our loved ones back to our Catholic Faith and Church. The intentions of Holy Mass on the first Wednesday of every month will be for all those listed in our "Book of Intentions". Any questions or if you have someone to add to our "Confidential Intentions Book", please e- mail Vicki Winslow at len.vicki@windstream.net or call at

4 Masses for the Week of December 27 January 2 Saturday, December 27 9:00 a.m. John Grabowieki by Pat and Jeff Wood Teddie Kikta by The Schabel Family 5:00 p.m. Irene Michael by Tony Michael Charles (Chuck) W. Kyle by Judy and Tom Hare Sunday, December 28 7:30 a.m. Misa es en Español (gymnasium/gimnasio) 7:30 a.m. Terry Vesel by John and Meghan Vesel Dolores Weinbender by Arlene and Jim Ward 9:00 a.m. Intentions of the Guilfoil Family Intentions of Judy and Rich Nielson by Linda and Mike Chisholm 11:00 a.m. Carmela Narkword by Clara and Frank Joyce Larry Fella by Barbara and Normand Bourdua 1:00 p.m. Mirimar Alvarez Hernandez (Misa es en Español) 5:30 p.m. The Parishioners of the Church of the Good Shepherd Robert Burkhead by Susan Bartleson Monday, December 29 9:00 a.m. JoAnn Barton by Claudia Orchowski Alan Udas by Garry and Renee Lee Tuesday, December 30 9:00 a.m. Joe Wojtczak by his wife Sean Patrick Jordan by Denise Jordan Wednesday, December 31 New Year s Eve 9:00 a.m. Rev. Austin Fogarty Leonard and Lena Cerami by grandson Leonard 5:00 p.m. Joy Churchwell Kevin McBride 7:30 p.m. Misa es en Español Thursday, January 1st New Year's Day 7:30 a.m. Intentions of the McCormack Family by The Donegan Family In honor of St. Therese the Little Flower by Leonard Cerami 9:00 a.m. Ann Dunlop by Bing Dunlop Vittorio and Marianna Librizzi by Leonard Cerami 11:00 a.m. Alan William Udas by St. Vincent de Paul Society Kat Doyle Friday, January 2 9:00 a.m. Intentions of the Prayer Blanket Ministry Leonarda Cerami by grandson Leonard deceased Intentions

5 SENIOR YOUTH GROUP NEWS Fearless Life Nights: Our next Life Night is on Jan 11 th from 6:30PM - 8:30PM. Have a happy and blessed Christmas and New Year! Winter Lock-In: Snowmaggedon: All high school aged teens are invited to join us on Sat, Jan 3 rd at 4PM for our winter lock in. We ll go to the 5PM Mass and then spend the night eating pizza, playing games, spending some time in prayer and have a Nerf war. Your friends are welcome. Contact the youth office for details. ************************************************************************ Join us on Facebook!! Look for the group: Good Shepherd Sr. Youth Group. Check out our blog and info site: If you have any questions or would like to register for an event, please contact Michael Gagnon in the youth office at ext. 33 or by at mgagnon@gsrcc.net. JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP NEWS There are no Middle School Faith Formation classes this Sunday, December 28 th and January 4 th for the Christmas school break. Classes resume Sunday, January 11 th after the 5:30PM Mass. If you have any comments about the program please me at glee@gsrcc.net or call me at , ext.21. Elementary Faith Formation 1st Communion Children: Reconciliation workbooks are due by Jan. 11, nd grade prayers memorized by Valentine s Day 2015 February: Reconciliation Retreat and 1st Reconciliation (dates are on gsrcc.net) Next Faith Formation Class : week of January 13th RCIA NEWS: Good Shepherd Parish will host a meeting on Thursday, January 15th, for anyone interested in joining our faith community. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact the Parish Office and someone from the RCIA team will get in touch with you Stand For LIFE ATLANTA WASHINGTON- There are many opportunities to commemorate the January 22, 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe vs. Wade and Doe vs. Bolton which legalized abortion in America. Following is a quick listing of events: ATLANTA, GA JANUARY 22, 2015: 9:30am Rosary for Life, Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, GA 10am Mass for the Unborn, Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, GA 12noon Stand for Life on Peachtree Street, from the Cathedral to Lenox Mall 12:30pm Individualized Evangelization for Life, Peachtree Street Atlanta 1pm Stand for Life Seminar, Cathedral of Christ the King (registration required) WASHINGTON DC JANUARY 21-22, 2015 Events include the National Prayer Vigil, the Youth Rally, and Mass for Life, as well as the national March for Life. Please contact our office for complete information, especially if you would like to join a group that is chartering a bus to Washington. For more information please call or RespectLife@archatl.com

6 Multi-Media Youth Arts Contest 2015 Theme: Do Justice, Love Goodness, Walk Humbly with God Each year, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) sponsors a Multi-Media Youth Art Contest to help schools and parishes engage youth in exploring the causes of domestic poverty in the context of their faith. We encourage Youth Ministers, DREs, teachers and other educators to use this Catholic social teaching opportunity with their Middle and High School students. Students in grades 7-12 participating in this multimedia art contest will learn about the issues of domestic poverty and their need to empower low income persons to address the challenges affecting their own communities. Then they are guided to utilize their talents and present their multimedia work (e.g. video, painting, photography, poetry, song, etc.) to educate others using this years theme. The deadline for all entries is March 2, For questions and more information contact Rose Marie Inserni at : rinserni@archatl.com or OPEN HOUSE: St. John Bosco Academy, a PK4-12 private hybrid school is hosting an open house on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 9:30am. SJBA students attend school for 2 or 3 days a week and homeschool the other days allowing for more family time and an affordable Catholic education. For more information, check out our website at Please RSVP to : sjbacademy@gmail.com with name and interested grade (s) Mailing address: St. John Bosco Academy 1595 Peachtree Pkwy. Ste. 204 Box 224 Cumming GA PRIME TIMERS OUR PRIME TIMER GROUP IS A WONDERFUL MIXTURE OF PEOPLE AGED 55 AND OVER WHO COME TOGETHER TO ENJOY ONE ANOTHER S COMPANY, SHARE A MEAL, LISTEN TO INTERESTING TOPICS FROM KNOWLEDGEABLE SPEAKERS AND PARTICIPATE IN ONGOING ACTIVITIES. OUR LUNCH TAKES PLACE EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 12 NOON. NOTE: PRICE CHANGE: COST IS $7.00. BELOW PLEASE SEE THE MANY CHOICES AVAILABLE TO YOU! ngerdon@bellsouth.net or CONTACT NANCY GERDON AT PARTY BRIDGE: FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 10 AM. CONTACT: PAT BUREAU AT DUPLICATE BRIDGE : SECOND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH, 10:00-3:00 P.M. IN THE LIBRARY. CONTACT: Nancy Gerdon: or ngerdon@bellsouth.net BUNCO: Third Monday of the Month in the PLC from 12:00 pm. To 2:30 pm. We play for laughs and friendship! Contact LaNelle Lewis for additional information at CANASTA: FOURTH MONDAY AND SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH AT 12:30 P.M. IN THE CHURCH LIBRARY CONTACT Sherrie Perris at BOWLING: FOURTH WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH 11:00 2:00 p.m. at the Stars and Strikes in Cumming. $10.99 includes lunch, shoes and 2 games of bowling. Please contact Lillian Eaton BOOK CHAT: We meet on the 2nd Monday each month in the PLC from 2PM to 4PM. Our book selection for January is Olive Kitteridge by Elisabeth Stout.. For additional information please contact Joan Powers at

7 OPEN HOUSE: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thank you to all who have donated much needed furniture, bedding, linens and other household items. Please know that you have improved someone s life greatly especially at this time of year. Your help with furniture donations is continuously needed for our furniture warehouse. Twin and Full beds, bedding, linens, blankets, chest of drawers, small dressers are the most sought after items. Old Man Winter has arrived and there are plenty without the warmth of blankets or even a bed! Call the Parish Office at to donate. Pick-up available. Finances for December 14th Offertory - 23, Building Fund - 16, TOTAL = 39, St. John Bosco Academy, a PK4-12 private hybrid school is hosting an open house on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 9:30am. SJBA students attend school for 2 or 3 days a week and homeschool the other days allowing for more family time and an affordable Catholic education. For more information, check out our website at Please RSVP to : sjbacademy@gmail.com with name and interested grade (s) Mailing address: St. John Bosco Academy 1595 Peachtree Pkwy. Ste. 204 Box 224 Cumming GA Notes of Interest NEW WEBSITE: ALTAR FLOWERS: Please call Eileen Pankow at if you are interested in donating flowers for the Altar. HOLY FAMILY COUNSELING: Holy Family Counseling provides therapy for individuals, couples and families HOMEBOUND MINISTER VISITATION: Please contact the Parish Office if you or a loved one is admitted to a hospital. If you are a commissioned Extraordinary Minister and feel a calling to bring the Eucharist to the sick and homebound, please call Jerry Mansheim at for more information. JOB SEEKERS: Meet every first and third Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Contact Steve Jenn: or Jack Olario at PRIME TIMERS FIX IT ANGELS: Assistance to fellow Parishioners with home maintenance repairs that are beyond the Parishioner s experience or physical capabilities. Payment for any materials needed to complete the project is the responsibility of the parishioner. To find out if your project qualifies, please call Chuck Ingraham, PROMISE TO PROTECT, PLEDGE, HEAL: To report abuse by church personnel: YOU matter. YOU are family. We are here to listen and take action! RETROUVAILLE: Retrouvaille teaches couples how to survive in times of crisis. For confidential information about or to register call or visit rretrouvaille.org YMCAS: Young Married Couples and Singles If you have any questions or would like more info on an activity, please contact Michael Gagnon in the youth office at ext. 33 or by at Mgagnon@gsrcc.net Adult Faith Formation In the Footsteps of Jesus Lunch-N-Learn will meet on Tuesdays at 11:30AM in the Hospitality Room starting on January 13 th. The evening session will meet in Room # 202 in the Parish Life Center at 7PM each Tuesday.

8 A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND LITURGY CLEAN SLATES From the American Heritage of New Cultural Literacy comes this definition: SLATE: A new start; especially to make a new start by clearing the record. This phrase comes from the use of chalk and slates in classrooms in the past. By wiping the slate clean, a student could remove any evidence of a mistake. I love the New Year, filled with all of its promise of the good (and sometimes ill) to come. Resolutions written on scraps of paper such as this year I will be thinner, this year I will exercise every day (one of my favorites that comes every year, and broken by January 3!); this year I will let my family and friends know how much I love them ; this year I will try not to have such a long list of things I ought to have done, and things I shouldn t have done! How wonderful we are granted a clean slate on January 1! May this New Year be a blessing of time to do the very best we can, for our families and communities, and to continue the prayers for peace in our homes and in the world. May our 2015 slates be filled with lists of goodness for all! Peace, love and joy, Nancy McDonald Smith Director of Music and Liturgy I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. Psalm 104:33 Save The Date! Shroud Encounter Coming to Good Shepherd Sat. Feb at 10:30 am $10 (light breakfast included in the PLC Gym) Shroud Encounter is a dramatic big-screen experience. Each clue is revealed and examined like a CSI Investigation leading deeper into its maze of mystery and intrigue. Explore this profound enigma with Russ Breault, one of the world s leading experts captivating audiences coast to coast in numerous documentaries including The History Channel, Discovery and CBS. A life sized replica will be on display. The women of Walking With Purpose would like to thank you for donating your gently used books and children s clothing for our Fall clothing drive. With your generosity we were able to provide clothing to hundreds of families in our community. Proceeds will benefit our women s bible study ministry in addition to a portion donated to our St. Vincent de Paul Society. The remainder of the unsold clothes were donated to Whispering Hope, a local faith-based non profit charity supporting pregnant women in need.

9 If you would like to have enlisted military personnel posted here in our bulletin, please clip and return to the Parish Office either via mail, drop off or place in our collection basket. Name of Enlisted Rank of Enlisted Branch of Service Location of Enlisted Name Submitting request Contact Number or address of person requesting publication for office use in updating status OUT OF COUNTRY Elise Burke (1st Lt. Kwait) Joanna Byrd (1st Class AF, Qatar) Ransom Campbell (Army Iraq) Mia Dziadziak E4 (Navy, Japan) Steven J. Friedrich (Sgt. Iraq) Timothy Herrick (Corporal, Marines, Japan) Nicholas Horst (2nd Lt. Afghanistan) Jacob Jordan (Lance Corporal, Marines) Afghanistan Ryan McDowell (Sgt. Army Afghanistan) Sean Montgomery (E-3 Navy) Okinawa George Mowbray (Army Paratrooper) Afghanistan Adam Stevenson (USN Japan) Matthew Valenti (Lance Corporal, Marines) Japan Jon Vanderhamm (US Army) Germany A Parishioner of ours prepares boxes to send overseas to our Military. Anyone who wishes to have a package of necessities and goodies sent overseas to one of the above, please contact Terry Duffey in the Parish Office at with the Military Personnel s name and mailing address. STATESIDE Micah Aikens (1st Lt.) Taylor Anthony Aguirre (SN Coast Guard CT) Daniel Bowers (Sgt. Army) Andrew Butler (2nd Lt. Army) GA John Connor (LCpl, Marines) Yorktown VA James Duffey (1st class Petty Officer/Navy Diver 1) Panama City Beach, FL Brian Steven Eddy (Capt. AF) Thomas Gregory Eddy (Sgt. Army) Quantico VA Matt Ekhlas (LCpl, USMC, CA) Benjamin Escalante (CPL,USMC CA) David Escalante (PFC USMC CA) Mitchell Flammang (Airman 1st Class -AF) Geoff Franks ( Captain Marines SC) Lawrence Franks (2nd Lt. Marines) Paul Gifford (Navy VA) Alex Hanson (AMN Basic AF TX) Mark Hanson (TSgt. E-6 AF GA) Steven Hernandez (Airman E3 Navy) Michael E. Hughes Chris Jensen (Col. AF Davis Moffit AF Base, AZ) Luke Jordan (Corporal, Marines) Camp Lejuene NC Michael Klooster (Ensign Navy) William Knapp (LCpl, USMC ) NC Charles Lamm (Navy) Allison Lancowitz Cory Mack (2nd Lt. Army - Kansas) John Matlaga (1st Lt. Marines, Jody Martin( Army) Ft. Leonardwood MO Ryan McDowell (Sgt. Army) Richard Michael (Major, Army Nikk and Will Osprey LL.JG. Keith Ovellette Jake Palmer (Marines) Samantha Pankow (USN,MIDN 3/C, Annapolis) Chad Peacock (Lance Corporal Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA) Fr. Kevin Peek (Chaplain Army) Georgia Blake Robbins (Captain Army) Elizabeth Roberts (SFC Army) Samantha Robinett (1st Lt. Army, Justin Russell (Sgt. 1st Class Army) Rudy Salinas (M.S. Marines) Greg Sell (SSG, Army National Guard, GA) Christopher Michael Sgambato (Navy, Bremerton, WA) Jeff Sobel (Colonel, AF) FL John Studley (Sgt. Marines, NC) Fr. Fred Wendel (Chaplain Army, VA) James M. Windsor (USN Norfolk, VA) Russell Windsor (Sgt Army Colorado) Dylan Wolff (Sgt. Marines) SC Saturday, January 3rd Masses for the Weekend of January 3rd and 4th 9:00 a.m. Bob Shaw Bobby McLaughlin 5:00 p.m. Pricilla Powers by The Clark Family Intentions of Jean and Don Lofe by Bob and Lenora Tarabella Sunday, January 4th 7:30 a.m. Misa es en Español (gymnasium/gimnasio) 7:30 a.m. Bernard Kearney by Lola Kearney Billie Ray Vann by Arlene and Jim Ward 9:00 a.m Intentions of Rich and Judy Nielson by Colie and Karen Smith Intentions of Judy and Rich Nielson by Linda and Mike Chisholm 11:00 a.m. Dayton and Willie Belle by Georgia Price Intentions of the Freas Family by Christine Freas 1:00 p.m. Luz and Juan Frias 5:30 p.m. Parishoners of the Church of the Good Shepherd Michael Norris by Eileen And Bill Schaebel

10 Sagrada Familia Diciembre 28, 2014 Bienvenidos a la Parroquia del Buen Pastor Fr. Frank Richardson, Párroco. Fr. Ignacio Morales, Vicario. imorales@gsrcc.net ext. 24 Atención en español: Martes a Viernes de 12: 00 pm 4:00 pm. Domingo 10:00 am 12: 30 pm. Gloria Clavijo ex. 23 Emergencias sacramentales Para reflexionar! En el marco litúrgico de la Navidad, celebramos la solemnidad de la Sagrada Familia de Nazaret, por la que se nos presenta, un modelo concreto de la vida de la primera familia cristiana, formada por Jesús, María y José. Cada uno de los tres, tiene un rol específico, como en toda familia, pero lo específico de la Familia de Nazaret es el tener a Dios como fundamento, en Ella es el amor lo que cimienta la relación de todos los miembros, así debe ser en toda familia. Contemplando a la Sagrada Familia debemos recuperar, ante la caída de tantas certezas, la convicción que la familia es la fundamental formadora de los valores humanos y cristianos, y Nazaret nos ofrece esa lección de vida familiar, que ante tanta confusión, necesitamos; ella nos enseña el verdadero significado de la familia, su comunión de amor, su sencillez y austera belleza, su carácter sagrado e inviolable, lo dulce e irremplazable que es su pedagogía y lo fundamental e incomparable que es su función en el plano social. El trabajar en favor de las familias, es un desafío medular para la Iglesia y para la sociedad, pues todo lo que sembramos en las familias lo cosechamos en la sociedad y en la Iglesia. Es universalmente aceptado que la persona se configura, especialmente en los primeros años de su vida, en el seno de su PALABRA Y EUCARISTÍA Ecl 3, ; Col 3, 12-21; Lc 2, La celebración eucarística es la fuente de la que fluye el espíritu animador de la toda comunidad familiar y humana. El partir el pan en común, el pan-cuerpo de Cristo que se entrega por todos, es un punto de partida único para entrar en comunión con todos los hermanos que nos rodean, lo familiares y los de lejos. La señal de la cruz Por qué empezamos con la señal de la cruz? Una de las características del culto de los católicos es ser Trinitario. Esto es, nuestra oración incluye al Padre, al Hijo y al Espíritu Santo. Escuchen nuestras oraciones durante la Misa. Nos dirigimos a Dios Padre en el nombre del Hijo, a través del poder del Espíritu Santo. Establecemos el entorno para esto desde el principio, En el nombre del Padre y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Al santiguarnos con el agua bendita al entrar al templo, una vez más reafirmamos nuestro compromiso como cristianos bautizados al Dios trino y uno a quien venimos a dar gracias y a alabar. Bits y Bytes Litúrgicos 2010 Resource Publications, Inc. Todos los derechos reservados. propia familia; aquí es donde la familia tiene un lugar insustituible en la forja de la personalidad humana y cristiana de las personas. Pero con dolor y preocupación vemos que frecuentemente la familia suele abdicar de su propio ser y de su misión de formar a las personas, delegando este rol en otras instituciones; las consecuencias son graves y se manifiestan en el creciente relativismo, subjetivismo, sensualismo y carencia de valores en la sociedad. El Concilio Vaticano II nos recuerda que la familia es la primera escuela de virtudes sociales que necesitan todas las demás sociedades ( ). En ella, los hijos, encuentran la primera experiencia de una sana sociedad humana ( ), que los introduce poco a poco en la sociedad civil y en la Iglesia. En la familia los hijos deben abrevar el más rico humanismo y formar la conciencia que es la última norma del obrar humano; de esta manera los padres preparan a sus hijos, para conocer el amor de Dios hacia todos los hombres, los forman en la sensibilidad social, especialmente con el ejemplo, a preocuparse de las necesidades del prójimo, tanto materiales como espirituales. Cumpliendo, la familia, de esta manera con su misión de promover la justicia hacia los hermanos que sufren y padecen necesidades. Sólo así los hijos crecerán, como Jesús, llenos de sabiduría. Entre los valores que la familia cristiana debe trasmitir, sobresale la fe, la fe de Abraham, la fe de María, la fe de José, pues los esposos cristianos son para sí mismos, para sus hijos y demás familiares, cooperadores de la gracia y testigos de la fe. Son para sus hijos los primeros educadores de la fe. No lo dudemos, es en el seno de la familia donde la persona descubre los motivos y el camino para pertenecer a la familia de Dios. De ella recibimos la vida, la primera experiencia del amor y de la fe. Por último, nuestras familias serán verdaderamente discípulas del Señor si son misioneras, deben salir al encuentro de las personas, las familias, las comunidades para comunicarles y compartir el don del encuentro con Cristo que ha llenado nuestra vida de sentido, de verdad y amor, de alegría y de esperanza. Todos debemos trabajar en favor de las familias para que desarrollen una espiritualidad de la gratuidad, de la misericordia, de la solidaridad fraterna, actitudes propias de quien ama desinteresadamente y sin pedir recompensa.