OVERVIEW:   MAY:  Parents Form Families. Whether it is a study of biology, human physiology or spirituality, the gift of co-creation with God, everywhere in nature, should be recognized as one of God’s greatest gifts. The male and female in nature, a man and woman, ideally through a loving committed relationship, continue God’s creation, its sustenance and care. Laudato Si week and Christian Unity week  around Pentecost this month can incorporate a co-creation theme. All parents have the task of forming and educating their offspring to prepare them for adulthood. The ideal of the love of their father and mother for each other, too, is an important gift to children.  Effective human parenting is amongst the most complex relationships today, good and evil are witnessed clearly in family relationships. The 30th anniversary of the UN International Year of the Family can be commemorated any time but especially on 15th May International Family Day. Pope Francis: The gift of a new child entrusted by the Lord to a father and a mother, begins with acceptance, continues with lifelong protection and has as its final goal the joy of eternal life.  God allows parents to choose the name by which he himself will call their child for all eternity. AL166. Only if we devote time to our children, speaking of important things with simplicity and concern and finding healthy ways for them to spend their time will we be able to shield them from harm.  Parents have to help prepare their children and adolescents to confront the risks of aggression, abuse or drug addiction.  AL 260