December 26th Holy Family Sunday . The 1st Sunday after Christmas, commemorates the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus and calls every human family to be a holy family. What does that mean? Holy means being whole, complete, as good as can be, living with awareness of God and God’s love and mercy. It means, like the Holy Family, living in God’s presence in our family and home, sharing that with our immediate and extended family too and showing care for all of God’s creation, the plants and animals and the whole environment. Find a way to connect with family especially those you did not see on Christmas Day. A special blessing can be given to families on this day, in churches or through our other means of communication that we have developed during the last years of lock-down and when being away from our church communities. Hear my son your father’s instruction and reject not your mother’s teaching. Proverbs 1:8

BLESSING: May the Lord bless your home and all who live there. May your home be always filled with the presence of God, in the care, love, peace and joy shared amongst you. When there is conflict made you be open to reconciliation. And may almighty God bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We pray with Pope Francis, “Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division; may all who have been hurt or scandalised find ready comfort and healing. Make us once more mindful of the sacredness of the family and its beauty in God’s plan. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer. Amen. AL 325.