MARFAM’S WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER 24 JUNE 2026

The Family Year Planner theme for June is Children belong in Families.  The introductory overview for the month is a good place to start this final week. Birth, childhood and growth into adolescence  are the most vibrant stages in all of creation, human, animal and plant. Growth and regrowth can often be stressful and conflict-filled. However, ideally in any family, the young need conscious protection, love, care and support to monitor and direct their youthful energy towards full and responsible maturity. Pope Francis:  Difficulties the youth experience in their own family can lead the young to ask whether it is worthwhile to start a new family, to be faithful and to be generous. I say it is worth your every effort to invest in the family, there you will find the best incentives to mature and the greatest joys to experience and share. Letter to Youth,

The term CIVILISATION OF LOVE is used various times by Pope Leo in Magnifica Humanitas. The 1994 1st World Meeting of Families theme was THE FAMILY – HEART OF THE CIVILISATION OF LOVE May that be a guiding vision for us at this time. MH245. The CIVILIZATION OF LOVE will not arise from a single or spectacular gesture, but from the sum total of small and steadfast acts of fidelity that serve as a bulwark against dehumanization. MH213       

 Today we are shining a light on special needs children and those who suffer in so many ways. Also, remembering Pope Leo’s recent saying that everyone is a child of God, a son or daughter.  So even grown-up children and older persons, when they suffer mental illness or some forms of physical disability can become child-like in a sense, in their approach and capability.  The Holy Father makes the point that persons with limitations or handicaps may have a need of care and support but are also able to teach us all many lessons of compassion, generosity and wisdom. MH119. It is precisely within our limitations that the following find a place: compassion, a sincere concern for the needs of others; a generosity that can emerge even in the midst of darkness and failure; spiritual experience and the worship of God. We see this at many moments when our limits become tangible: when we face rejection, when we suffer the illness or loss of a loved one, when we encounter our own weakness or failure. Mysteriously, it is precisely in such moments that we can discover a new wisdom, tangibly experience the closeness of others and encounter the presence of the Lord.                       

What do we mean by special needs children? The term describes any child who requires extra assistance due to medical, emotional, developmental, or learning challenges. This means they may need specialized therapies, medication, accommodation, or modification to an typical day-to-day activity routine.  The whole area is generally areas described in terms of lacks or disabilities.   

  • Developmental delays include autism, down’s syndrome, or speech and language impairment that affect a child’s ability to grow, speak, or learn at the same pace as their peers.
  • Physical Disabilities: Conditions that limit mobility, coordination, or physical function (e.g., cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or visual/hearing impairments).
  • Behavioral or Emotional Disorders: Challenges that impact a child’s social skills or ability to regulate their emotions and actions, such as ADHD, anxiety, or depression.
  • Chronic Medical Conditions: Ongoing health issues that require medical management during the day, such as severe epilepsy, cystic fibrosis. 

There maybe a combination of disabilities, e.g. behavioural with physical problems, hearing and speech impairment, mental retardation and a physical handicap.  Some conditions are hereditary, others are acquired, some will impact on a child’s life expectancy.  

Clearly these special needs children suffer because of their condition, some more than others, some are more or less aware of their lack, some are angry, some depressed.  While the child suffers the parents or wider families experience a very wide range of emotions too.   Do they blame themselves, or one another, or the child, or God for this cross in their lives?  How can they learn to deal with the frustration or inability to cope with the strains and stresses of dealing with an unusual or abnormal situation day in, day out?   Can the reality be controlled and managed with a degree of normality, leading to a more peaceful and joyful life?   While the sense of belonging for child and family are important for a sense of security, which of the children are best off in their own home environment and which need specialised institutional care, always still supported by family love, of parent or maybe another relative.

Fortunately in our day and age there are a wide range of resources available to overcome and assist, but the human touch still remains a primary resource. Hippotherapy involves working with a horse. A special needs reality also requires the presence of God, of faith, prayer and spirituality in a family.

Today, accompanying children and young people in using technology for developing responsible relationships, helping them to recognize the risks and choose what fosters inner freedom, is a concrete form of charity and will safeguard their dignity. Teaching new generations that technological evolution does not follow a predetermined path, but can be guided by personal and collective responsibility, constitutes one of the most valuable services to the common good. MH239,  SPRED is a programme of the archdiocese of Johannesburg where the person is given a faith friend to be a partner on the journey of faith. Radio Veritas hosts a weekly mental health programme hosted by the archdiocesan Mental Health Ministry.  Little Eden and Sizanani offer residential homes, St Vincent School for the Deaf teaches children but also supports families.  Faith based organisations (FBOs), NGOs and government programmes and homes and special schools, as well as doctors and teachers all play their part, be it medical, social or counselling. 

This particular aspect of special needs is a reality in every society, in well-functioning communities and countries as well as countries experiencing poverty, war and the effects of climate change on family wellbeing overall.   However because of the reality of social disorder millions of children across the world, particularly in places of longer-term social disruption like Gaza and Sudan, among others, suffer far more.  Malnutrition and exposure to treatable diseases are challenges, but immediate dangers to their lives as little persons possibly separated from their families are overriding concerns.  Lack of access to health and education will have a lasting impact on their future.  Unicef as well as international humanitarian agencies fight this particular battle, often with limited support.  

The Popes’ prayer intentions have also highlighted this.  Pope Francis asked for prayer for children who suffer and  Pope Leo earlier this year for children with uncurable diseases.  In Magnifica Humanitas on the impact of AI he recognises its potential in addressing such problems as physical and mental disability and the vast benefits of scientific research, but he also warns of the dangers of AI and even its direct contribution at times as a cause for mental health problems.

Pope Leo’s five point plan towards building the civilization of love can be adopted and seen to be very relevant in the particular context of today’s theme of addressing the special needs of children> it includes a touch of realism,  taking the perspective of the victim, disarming of words, peace and dialogue.   Protecting and safeguarding our children are intimately connected with the role of the family, where unfortunately far too many problems do begin and where nevertheless the situation has to be dealt with as the most ideal support system.  Positive family formation and strengthening remain one of the greatest social concerns of our time, in times of war and of world peace, because ultimately Peace on Earth begins in the Home.  TR 24 JUNE 2026

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.

June 24. Birth of John the Baptist.  SEE.    “JB is one of my favourite saints,” Alan said, “He was a specially chosen person, to begin a new era in salvation history as we heard in Luke’s gospel and his birth was quite unusual as his mother was past child-bearing age. We know little more about him until he reappears years later. But he responded to what he knew he was called to do.  Why are so many of our young people so wishy-washy with little sense of direction? Do they need strong parental guidance, teachers or mentors to inspire them? Where does a sense of direction and hope for the future come from?” Marissa shared, “JB was a prophet like the Old Testament prophets preaching repentance and right behaviour. I wish God would speak to me and give me a stronger sense of direction for my future.” 

JUDGE. Reflect, share. Scripture:   He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children. Luke 1:16-17. Pope Francis:    A spirituality which forgets God as all-powerful and Creator is not acceptable. That is how we end up worshipping earthly powers or ourselves usurping the place of God even to the point of claiming an unlimited right to trample his creation underfoot.  LS 75.   Pope Leo:   Our relationship with life seems to be in crisis today. Everything that appears as a “limit” — incapacity, illness, old age, suffering, vulnerability — tends to be seen primarily as a defect to be corrected, rather than as a reality through which our humanity matures and opens itself to relationship. And yet we must remember that humanity flourishes not despite limitations, but often through them. MH118 

ACT AND PRAY. Who are the JBs in your world today?  Pray about it.