July is MARFAM’s Grandparents month. Watch this space for updates.

.June 30.  “How many homeless people live in our cities these days?” One of the young social workers at the Family Welfare Department had made this her pet subject. As she was also a parishioner at Blackhill parish and an RCIA  catechist she had asked this question in her class. She saw homelessness as a social justice question as well and they discussed it when dealing with the Laudato Si goal of ecological economics. One young man who was usually quite outspoken was very quiet on this topic. “Ephraim, what do you think about this?” she called on him.  He blushed and blurted out, “Do any of you good people know what it is like to carry all your belongings with you and hide them in your locker early in the morning when you get to varsity, because it isn’t safe to leave them in your tent by the bus shelter. I wanted to study and got the grant but don’t have enough money for food and shelter and to support my little brother.”   

Reflect, share and act. Scripture:  Jesus said, “foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. Matt 8:18-22. Pope Francis:  The weakening of faith and religious practice in some societies has an effect on families, leaving them more isolated amid their difficulties. One symptom of the great poverty of contemporary culture is loneliness, arising from the absence of God in a person’s life and the fragility of relationships.   There is a feeling of powerlessness in the face of sociocultural realities that may end up crushing families. AL 43. JUBILEE. Signs of hope are also needed by those who are the very embodiment of hope, namely, the young. They often see their dreams and aspirations frustrated. It is sad to see young people who are without hope, who face an uncertain and unpromising future, who lack employment or job security, or realistic prospects after finishing school. Without the hope that their dreams can come true, they will inevitably grow discouraged and listless.  SNC 13  Act and pray. For the needs of families and children, especially the poor and homeless as appropriate.