Family Year Planner

INTRODUCTION TO DAILY THOUGHTS 2021.   The theme for the year allows family life and creation to be foundational topics as they are used month by month on the Year Planner and it opens possibilities for formation and catechesis, reflection and sharing also including Franciscan spirituality.  Pope Francis offers many resources for the Church on current and relevant topics especially giving special prominence to Laudato Si and Amoris Laetitia on their 5^th anniversaries and also instituting a Year of St Joseph. These are used within the DAILY THOUGHTS.  The small booklet gives more detailed explanations for each month.     

JANUARY.   “In the beginning……” are the first words of our Bible. In the beginning before the world, the sun, moon, stars, animals, plants and humankind were created there was only God. But God had a passion to create, to share, to love and so every created thing came into being.  The desire for creation, co-creation and re-creation exists in every creature and so our world has evolved. Humankind was given the task of being stewards of creation. That includes responsibility for our own families.  But has humankind gone too far, and overridden the role of creator out of love and begun to create for our own selfish ends? How can we discern our impact on creation in the coronavirus and climate change era and begin once more in every area of our lives?

The creation accounts in the book of Genesis contain in their own symbols and narrative language profound teachings about human existence and its historical reality. They suggest that human life is grounded in three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships: with God, with our neighbor and with the earth. These three vital relationships have been broken both outwardly and within us. This rupture is sin. LS 66.  As never before in history common destiny begs us to seek a new beginning.  Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace and the joyful celebration of life. LS207 Earth Charter.

SETTING THE SCENE. These DAILY THOUGHTS are set in an imaginary parish where the parish priest Fr Brian is promoting a family programme of faith sharing at home. This is the format. 1. Each day could have a story of a different family, 2. linked with the passage from the scripture of the day, 3. a quotation from Pope Francis’ documents. 4. Lastly the family or other group is invited to share their thoughts with one another and make any decisions about a plan of action.  Chosen scripture readings this month are mainly from the first letter of John and gospel of Mark