Plus PRAYER AND BLESSING FOR PETS AND OTHER CREATURES to prepare for feast of St Francis.

October 3. FAMILIES WALK THE TALK.     (From BECOMING ECO-FRIENDLY FAMILIES)  To “walk the talk” means to actively live out what we believe, to “put your money where your mouth is”.  If some of us are doing something we think is important, and also sitting together, sharing our thoughts and feelings, listening well and feeling understood we’re, “walking the talk.”  That is the meaningful synodal dialogue which is being promoted through the Church’s Synod process. Too often our talking is hardly a conversation, as we shout, mumble, whatsapp or text one another, talk at or past each other and hardly listen with more than half an ear.  Meaningful communication is essential in building good relationships but also fixing any issues that are causing family conflict. Too often we choose to be “too busy” for one another, even as we go out to do good and help others. Why not fix family first!

Walking the talk is also going beyond just talk, but taking action and standing up for what we believe, even lobbying for a cause as simple as “don’t drink and drive.” It is good for a family to act together when it comes to saving water, electricity and recycling at home, but adopting an external cause together can be particularly good. Example:  Save the rhino,  clean-up our town,  protect unborn life.       

A FAMILY TALK WALK is an activity for family members to take time together, ideally in nature or a pleasant setting, maybe with dog, pram or wheelchair for elderly, walking and talking as they go. No fixed distance, or time. Not a “Big Walk” fundraiser or exercise. A moment to bond that is good for family unity.  

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   Righteousness belongs to the Lord our God, but confusion of face as at this day, to us, to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and to our kings and our princes and our priests and prophets and our fathers because we have sinned before the Lord and have disobeyed him and have not heeded the voice of the Lord.   Baruch 1:15-21. Pope Francis: writing in preparation for the Synod on Synodality 2021-2024.   Co-responsibility for the common mission calls families to cooperate in building the fabric of the Church.  Let us give them space and a listening ear so that they can participate in the synodal journey, showing the family foce of the Church.  The family is the way of the Church.  The Church is in fact a family among families FT276 The family is an agent of pastoral activity through its explicit proclamation of the Gospel and its legacy of varied forms of witness, solidarity with the poor, openness to a diversity of people, the protection of creation, moral and material solidarity with other families, including those most in need, commitment to the promotion of the common good and the transformation of unjust social structures beginning in the territory in which the family lives. AL 290.  Eco-tip.  Examine your prayer life as Eco-friendly families. Pray:  Loving God, help us as families to grow in understanding of our responsibility for your creation, so that we may “walk the talk” more purposefully. 

A PRAYER AND BLESSING FOR PETS AND OTHER CREATURES.  

St Francis Day on 4 October every year is a reminder of a holy man, who lived 800 years ago and remains an inspiration, model and guide to living a simple life of love, joy and peace in harmony with all of God’s creation.  

With St Francis we praise God and thank him for the special pets that have been part of our lives. They are part of God’s great creation and are loved by him. They have been given to us to love and care for and they too give us their love and protection.  Pets are a special blessing in families to everyone, the young and the old as they share our lives. As companions in loneliness and friends, day by day, they teach us the ways of love and life.  

Take a moment to reflect and if possible share with another person the memories of the pets that have enriched your life (maybe share their pictures.)   

Reflect too on the many pets and other animals that are abandoned and abused for lack of love, and all the creatures affected by our human actions and the ravages of fire, water and drought.   

PRAY: Creator God, we praise and thank you and ask you to bless our beloved pets, especially ……………… 

Loving God, make us grateful for their love and increase our concern for all your creatures.

St Francis, our model and inspiration, pray for us. 

All followers and friends of St Francis, pray and act with us for peace and harmony in our world.     

“Blessed are you, allpowerful Creator God.  You are present in the whole universe and in the largest and smallest of your creatures.   You embrace with tenderness all that exists. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land.  You inspired St Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters.” From Laudato Si, Pope Francis