September 16.  Skills building.  This is a common activity in secular life but possibly not taken seriously enough in our spiritual and relational lives. What skills are needed for a successful marriage and a happy family?   Communication in marriage is particularly necessary. Listening and talking, sharing feelings, decision-making as a personal and mutual practical skill, but also deciding to trust, to love, to be responsive and other-centred. Every other living family unit in nature too is called upon to develop and grow, in dealing with all the current issues of environmental awareness and climate change.    

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   Scripture: Jesus said, “Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them is like a man building a house and laid the foundation upon rock and when a flood arose the stream broke against that house and could not shake it. He who does not do this is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. Luke 6:43-49.    Pope Francis: Trained lay leaders and professionals, especially those with practical experience, help keep pastoral initiatives grounded in the real situations and concrete concerns of families. LS41   A path of productive development which is more creative and better directed could correct the present disparity between excessive technological investment in consumption and insufficient investment in resolving urgent problems facing the human family. It could generate intelligent and profitable ways of reusing, revamping and recycling and also improve the energy efficiency of cities.  LS 192.  Eco-tip and prayer: Conduct a “carbon footprint” exercise together to discover how we ourselves rate on our care for the earth. (google for examples) Make adjustments towards a more sustainable lifestyle where needed. Pray for commitment to change. Pray: Glory be to the Father…….