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Parenting Ministries
"Mom's Groups - The Parish must
rediscover its vocation which is to be the welcoming
family home where those who have been baptized become
more aware of forming the people of God."
From the Guidelines for Preparatory Sacramental
Catechesis.
REACH OUT: PARISH TO FAMILY
The Church believes that the family
is important to its mission that it repeatedly calls
for the world to support families. Pope John
Paul II says that "it is indispensable and urgent
that every person of good will should endeavor to
save and foster the values and requirements of the
family. No plan or organized work of any level
must ever fail to take into consideration the pastoral
area of the family. The Church is encouraged
to support positive developments, to look for new
ways to help families, and to unearth resources that
enable families to move from crisis to growth, from
areas of stress to strength. Family life is
fundamental to the healthy life of the Church and
society."
-- A Family Perspective in Church and Society
Preparing for the Baptism of a
child affords an opportune time for the parish to
reach out to the family (and help parents to grow
in their faith). The initial contact of the
parent/s with the parish being a positive experience
is the most important. For parents who have
been away from the Church, or may be unsure of the
process regarding Baptism, the response from the
person on the other end of the phone sets the tone
for the parents to feel welcomed into the parish
community.
The call to assist families is
real and urgent. The parish can be an aspiring
model of support to families. Evangelization,
education, enrichment, connection are ways in which
a parish can reach out to from a partnership with
families.
Affirming parents with young children,
and welcoming them into parish activities will enable
them to become more actively involved into the life
of the Church.
The Family Life Office provides
assistance to parishes in reaching out to young families:
-
in establishing
a moms/pops group
-
through networking
opportunities with other parishes and Archdiocesan
agencies
-
in providing resource
materials
A publication developed through
the efforts of the Family Life Office and the Early
Family Support Group - REACH OUT: Parish to Family -
has suggestions to assist your parish in working
with young families. For information on this,
leader training sessions that offer ideas as to how
to connect with families, available moms groups,
or other resources, please contact the Family Life
Office at 617-746-5800.
We thank you pastors, deacons,
pastoral associates, religious education directors,
school principals, for your example and pastoral
response to the family. You are Christ's welcoming
presence. Let us continue to pray for, support,
and to serve families.
Leaders/Mom's Comments
-
Parents feel they
become of a part of a community of moms: "It's
amazing how the Lord puts you in this group. He
just sort of guides you."
-
After attending
a program for mothers: "I felt renewed."
-
"Thank you
for the materials you sent, they are of great value
to us."
-
" It's great
to know a resource like the Family Life Office
exists for leaders like myself."
-
" It's always
nice to be with other Catholic mothers - and I
always leave with new ways to devote my motherhood
to God."
-
"...Helped
me to feel more connected to the Catholic Church
and God."
SOME
SUGGESTIONS to bring families with young children
into parish life, and to strengthen those families
already present and active in the parish.
-
Celebrate life
with a liturgy for expectant families
-
Incorporate a
home visit as part of your Baptism Preparation
Program
-
Connect families
with other parents in similar situations (i.e.,
having an emotionally/ physically challenged child,
multiple birth, single parent, distanced from family,
grandparent raising family)
-
Initiate an Elizabeth
Ministry to offer support for the childbearing
years
-
Send periodic
letters to baby/family with ideas/suggestions
-
Celebrate with
families of all children born/adopted during the
previous year at a Sunday liturgy
-
Establish a moms/pops
group to provide connection and support
-
Maintain a parish
library/pamphlet rack with resources for the family
-
Provide baby-sitting
to allow parents to attend parish spiritual and
educational programs
-
Celebrate a "We
Remember" Liturgy for families who have lost
a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, illness
-
Talk with families
about their needs and involve them in parish planning
-
Encourage families
to share their gifts in building the kingdom of
God
Excerpted from REACH OUT: Parish
to Family
 Elizabeth
Ministry
Following the example of Mary
and Elizabeth, we visit and share the sacredness
of our lives.
Elizabeth Ministry follows the
example of the Scripture story of the Visitation
by bringing together women who share a similar story. This
ministry is an opportunity for like-to-like ministry
through personal visits. An Elizabeth minister
will be a link with the broader church community.
What Are the Benefits?
Elizabeth Ministry will enable
your parish to:
-
give reassurance
and encouragement to women who are pregnant, or
caring for a newborn
-
offer support
to women who are dealing with infertility or a
childless lifestyle
-
reach out to women
who experience a miscarriage or infant or child's
death
-
celebrate birth
with parents and families
-
respond at times
of infant and child crisis
-
assist parents
involved in the adoptive process
-
offer support
and encouragement to grandparents during their
child's childbearing years
-
empower women
to relate to each other in a spirit of inclusiveness
and sisterhood
-
welcome young
families into the church community
How Does It Work?
Elizabeth Ministry offers support, resources,
prayers, and understanding during the joys and sorrows of the childbearing
years.
The Elizabeth Minister presents the person
she is visiting with a special Gift and Resource Kit. These
visits may take place at home, in the hospital, or at church. Follow-up
contacts are made in person, by phone, or by mail. This outreach
fosters a companionship based on personal experience, formal knowledge,
the acquired skills of the participants, and the mutual love of
God. Women become mentors for one another in the magnificent
adventure of bringing new life into the world. The sharing
of life experiences brings a caring commitment and a sense of connectedness.
Each Elizabeth Minister represents the church
community. She becomes an instrument of its care, support,
and resources to women and their families during the childbearing
years.
Elizabeth Ministry Prayer
Creator God, I pledge to truly celebrate the gift
of each child conceived and born, and fully mourn each miscarriage
and infant or child's death. I will be a strong witness to my
belief in the dignity and worth of all life by treasuring the gift
of fertility, by assisting those suffering infertility, by encouraging
those in the adoptive process, and by supporting the families experiencing
an infant or child crisis. I will be a strong and consistent
voice for life in my home, my church, my community, and the word. Amen.
Available Resources
- A Family Perspective on Church
and Society
- Reach Out: Parish to Family
- Elizabeth Ministry Manual
- Moms, a Personal Journal Program
- Parent Letters from Your Parish,
Cradle to three (3)
- Passing on the Faith
- Parent Mailings for Baby's First
Year
- Family Moments, I am Special
- Prayers for the Domestic Church
- Building Christian Families
- Family Spirituality
- Daily Meditations for Busy Moms,
Dads, Grandmas
- Family Prayer for Family Time
- Family Rituals and Celebrations
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