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Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Readings of the Day 
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On this Sunday after Christmas and during a time of year where family
is so significant, we recognize and honor- fittingly so- the Holy
Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Church traditionally holds up
the Holy Family as a model for family life. However, I have often
thought that this paradigm of the Holy Family is unrealistic and
seemingly impossible to measure up to as a family.

Having said this, I do believe that there are ways in our various
ministries throughout Catholic Charities that we can see a reflection
of the Holy Family. My agency's programs this year have chosen
Celebrating Family Spirit as a mission theme, expressing an essential
aspect of the spirituality of St. Luigi Guanella, patron of our
division, as well as the spirit present among us. Though generally
speaking the blood ties of family are not present, I have often had
staff express to me that they clearly see the residents they support,
serve, and care for as "family."

For me, this is evident in today's second reading, from St.
Paul's letter to the Colossians, which lists virtues that were
certainly present in the life of the Holy Family, and which I also see
our "partners in mission" exemplify: "heartfelt
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with
one another and forgiving one another, ...And over all these put
on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ
control your hearts."

We find in our first reading, from Sirach, roles that would have
marked the family life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. These too, in a
certain form, are exemplified by our staff, especially in the closing
verse of this passage: "a house raised in justice to you."

A final thought. Catholic Charities ministries often support families
in the hardships, struggles and difficulties found in family life. The
vision statement for Catholic Social Services I Philadelphia states
that, "Catholic Social Services exists to transform lives and
bring about a just and compassionate society where... families
are healthy and strong." We pray to the Holy Family for that
desire knowing that, in the social teaching of the Second Vatican
Council, families are the "primary and vital cell of
society."

Fr. Dennis M. Weber, SdC, is Director of Ministry and Mission,
Developmental Programs Division, Catholic Social Services, Archdiocese
of Philadelphia.




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