by Lisa Mills
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION parish of Astoria has been a blessing to my family. As a mother of three children, I believe all children should have love, guidance and nurturing from the parents and their parish community. From birth, children learn kindness, compassion and morality through their parents. I also believe in the importance for spiritual guidance to be introduced shortly after.
A family is like a tree: We, the branches, can all grow in different directions but our roots remain the same. Summertime becomes a chance to care for those roots by spending time with our loved ones.
This spring, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., hosts “Della Robbia: Sculpting With Color in Renaissance Florence,” a rare exhibit of some 40 works of painted terracotta sculpture, mostly the creation of three generations of the renowned della Robbia family of artists.
I worked a lot of hours and have no regrets… What I have learned is that I could have managed my stress better, set boundaries and switched off work issues when I was with the family…
When an aide suggested Pope Francis offer to fly some Syrian refugees back to Rome with him, the pope said he agreed immediately because it was “an inspiration of the Holy Spirit.”
The Vatican has set April 8 for the release of “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”), Pope Francis’ reflection on the family and family life. “Amoris Laetitia” is what is known as a “postsynodal apostolic exhortation,” a document addressed to the whole church reflecting on themes of church life and faith discussed at a gathering of the Synod of Bishops.
Family life is beautiful and important. It is in a family that a child comes to know that he or she is loved and first learns to love others. It is in the family where a child first recognizes the gift of faith and the obligations of charity. While beautiful and important, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, also reminds us that no family is perfect.
Pope Francis knows the family is made up of real people living in the real world, which is why he often gives down-to-earth advice.
By going home and loving your family, you are doing what God has asked us to do.
A working document, intended to guide discussions at the Synod of Bishops in October, included wide array of issues affecting the family.
