August  23.  Evaluation. As the month was beginning to come to an end the teams started some evaluation.  “How much have your learned from our discussions, sharing and listening to each other?”   “With women’s lib and the striving for gender equality clearly there needs to be ongoing discussion but then is sexual harassment often addressed. Is it still as serious in the workplace? And what about in families and homes?”  “Should we continue with further sessions or discussions on Families and Sexuality?” 

Scripture:   Boaz said to Ruth,” Have I not charged the young men not to molest you?  All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told me.  So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife.”  Ruth 2:1-17.  Pope Francis. There is a need for training lay leaders who can assist in the pastoral care of families, with teachers, counsellors, physicians, social workers and specialists in psychology, sociology, marital and family therapy. Professionals can help keep pastoral initiatives grounded in the real situations and concrete concerns of families.  AL 204. JUBILEE:  “iI believe in life everlasting”. [12] So our faith professes. Christian hope finds in these words an essential foundation. For hope is “that theological virtue by which we desire… eternal life as our happiness”. [13] The Second Vatican Council says of hope that, “when people are deprived of this divine support, and lack hope in eternal life, their dignity is deeply impaired, as may so often be seen today.  SNC 19.  Act and pray. For the needs of families of all kinds to grow in love and acceptance.