We must carefully understand this theme in all its rich components and implement every one of them. The theme Embrace the Family of God invites us to remember that we would have no idea of what a genuine family is if it were not for the example of the life of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all distinct divine Persons, but living in perfect unity as one God. Family life has been raised to new dignity, since Jesus was born of Mary and raised by her and her husband Joseph in the context of the Holy Family. Our families, along with married life, are greatly challenged today by so many changes in society, culture, and attitudes. We must address the challenges, but we must never surrender the ideal of marriage and family life given to us by God.
Society knows of many persons who, though born of a family, are very much alone or displaced.
We need to build up family life and we need to make every individual and family feel genuinely welcome in the family of families, the parish. This will be our fervent aim this year. We will Embrace the Family of God by looking again to what God has to say through the Church about community and family. We can find these teachings beautifully expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church . We will seek to apply these teachings to build up marriage and family life, to address the challenges faced by families, so often wounded today.