Welcome
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This fall will bring many opportunities for Catholic families as we experience the World Meeting of Families Congress (September 22-25) in Philadelphia and the visit of our Holy Father to the United States (September 22-27), followed by the Synod on the Family, which will be held in Rome in October. I am pleased to welcome you to this website, which is designed to provide resources to facilitate prayer, learning, and action stemming from these events.
Our Church cares so deeply about family life because we believe that our mission – proclaiming the gospel of love – should be experienced, shared, taught, and communicated through the family. As the domestic church, the family is a microcosm of the universal Church and at its best, serves “as a school of love, justice, compassion, forgiveness, mutual respect, patience, and humility” in an often struggling world (Love is Our Mission 75). Family also provides a powerful image of how we pray and act as a Church. Today we come together as family, and as part of a family, we’re called to walk with our brothers and sisters, helping them grow closer to Jesus through His mercy. We called to give families hope in the abundant life promised by Jesus. We witness to the truths of our faith as members of our own families; as members of our family in faith; and as part of the great cloud of witnesses, a family standing together across time to call to those who are hurting; to let them know, as our Holy Father Pope Francis says, that the Church is “a place of mercy freely given, where everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven, and encouraged to live the good life of the Gospel” (Evangelii Gaudium 14). As we approach these wonderful opportunities to renew family life in our Church, my prayer for Catholic families in the Archdiocese of Louisville is threefold: 1) Learn about, reflect on, and when possible share the beautiful teaching of the Church about the family. Building upon the catechesis prepared for the World Meeting of Families, there will be resources on this website and through your parish that will facilitate this process. 2) Marriage is the fundamental relationship through which families thrive, so take the opportunity to do one or two things to strengthen your marriage and build your confidence as witnesses of love. Resources are provided on this website. 3) For families that are struggling for any reason, reach out and seek help. The Church is here for you. If you are able to attend the World Meeting of Families Congress, links to registration are provided through this site. For those who will not be able to attend, I encourage to take advantage of the many resources – including live streaming of presentations at the Congress – that will be available here. “The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus” (Evangelii Gaudium 1). Join me in praying that our families and our Church renew our efforts to accompany all who seek to encounter Jesus. |