May 19.  Joy. When they came to read the gospel passage that mentions the woman in labour  Mr Clarke said, “That is a true to life example all right.  I was pleased to be able to be with you when the children were born. I saw how you were in great pain but we were both so filled with wonder and joy when the baby arrived safely. That is the kind of joy I don’t mind sharing.  I did, with the guys at work and they laughed at me but I didn’t mind.”

Reflect, share, act. Scripture.     When a woman is in labour she has pain because her hour has come but when the child is delivered she no longer remembers the anguish for joy that a child is born into the world. John 16:20-22.   Pope Francis.  God sets the father in the family so that by the gifts of his masculinity he can be close to his wife and share everything.  And to be close to his children as they grow – when then play and when they work, when they are carefree and when they are distressed, when they are talkative and when they are silent, when they are daring and when they are afraid, whey they stray and when they get back on the right path.  Children need a father.  AL177.                                                        Christian Unity Week Prayer for the Roman Catholic Church.