Full MARFAM updates for OCTOBER to follow.

October 2. Guardian angels.  There is a very long tradition in the church of devotion to our guardian angels.   In recent years this seems to have faded with a greater interest in angels in general.   We often see pictures of cute cuddly little creatures with wings, and sometimes angels are portrayed as avengers at the gates of heaven or hell.   All angels are messengers from God, but our guardian angels bring the message of God’s care and love to a specific person.  This can be a real source of comfort to children especially.  Families can use the prayer with the young and you might find that as the kids grow up they may still use the prayers they learned as children.  Prayer:  Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.   (Guardian Angel statue from Holy Family College, Parktown, Johannesburg )

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  Jesus said, “See that you do not despise these little ones; I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.  Matt 18:10. Pope Francis:  Each of us has a Guardian Angel, who, acting on behalf of God, advises us and protects us from evil, if we only listen to him. 2015 message to families. Once we start to think about the kind of world we are leaving to future generations, we look at things differently; we realize that the world is a gift which we have freely received and must share with others.  LS 159        Eco-tip and prayer:  Examine your prayer life as Eco-friendly families. How can it be enriched?  Get MARFAM’S  booklet BECOMING ECO-FRIENDLY FAMILIES to use for sharing and prayer..    DAILY PRAYER.  God of love show us as families how to be channels of Your love for all Your creatures.  Pour out Your Spirit upon us as we pray and work together to tend the garden and foster peace with creation.