May 8. The parents continued their discussion.  “That story of Philip and him sharing the story of Jesus in such a way that the Ethiopian was convinced enough to ask for baptism is really powerful.  In the Catholic church do we have such preachers that can hold our and the kids’ attention?” “Since lockdown and church-hopping we did find preachers and liturgies we found more enjoyable than our own old parish back home.”  “It is a problem that the style in other denominations’ churches can be more dynamic.” “We need to explore more as there are programmes, some for youth, like Theology of the Body or for adults too like Charismatic or marriage and family Encounter movements that do grab people with new insights into spirituality or have missions to inspire people ” “At the same time we ought to work for Christian unity and interreligious dialogue.”

Reflect, share and act. Scripture. An Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister to the queen had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning in his chariot while reading from the prophet Isaiah, “Like a sheep, led to the slaughter, or a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” The Spirit told Philip to join him, so he did, explained the passage and told him the good news of Jesus. The eunuch asked to be baptized. Acts 8:26-40.  Pope Francis:  The Gospel of the Family responds to the deepest expectations of the human person: a response to each one’s dignity and fulfilment in reciprocity, communion and fruitfulness.  This consists not merely in presenting a set of rules but in proposing values that are clearly needed today. AL201. JUBILEE.   in order to fill the empty cradles in so many parts of our world all of us need to recover the joy of living, since men and women, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26), cannot rest content with getting along one day at a time, settling for the here and now and seeking fulfilment in material realities alone. This leads to a narrow individualism and the loss of hope; it gives rise to a sadness that lodges in the heart and brings forth fruits of discontent and intolerance. SNC 9 This Jubilee Year coincides with a significant date for all Christians, namely, the 1700th anniversary of the celebration of the first great Ecumenical Council, that of Nicaea. The Council of Nicaea was a milestone in the Church’s history. The celebration of its anniversary invites Christians to join in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to the Blessed Trinity and in particular to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, “consubstantial with the Father”, [11] who revealed to us that mystery of love.   At the same time, Nicaea represents a summons to all Churches and Ecclesial Communities to persevere on the path to visible unity and in the quest of finding ways to respond fully to the prayer of Jesus “that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” ( Jn 17:21). SNC17-18 Pray. Mary, full of grace, always filled with God’s presence. Pray for us in our need.