Christian Family Life

Directive #3    Christian Family Life  March 22, 2010                                                                     
Chair: Annette Kelly
We are well into the New Year, and from your annual reports, we know that members are busy in every aspect of Christian Family Life.  It was impressive to read about all the work being done.
Marriage & Family
From the book, The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted by Dr. Gary Chapman, here are a few excerpts under the following subject - “Who is going to clean the Commode?” – Dr. Chapman says “Our society has undergone a great deal of change in the basic role expectations of the husband-wife unit.  Traditionally, the husband has been the provider and the wife the homemaker.  Currently, however, over fifty percent of American wives are working outside the home.
If the wife is going to work outside the home and play an equal role with the husband in financial provision, then will he take an equal degree of responsibility for household tasks that the wife formerly assumed?  Probably not.  At least that is what research shows.  So, the wife feels overworked, and resentful.  She complains or withdraws from her husband.  He wonders why she is not as responsive as she was before marriage.
What’s going on here?  Role expectations were not clarified on the front end of the marriage and now confusion reigns.  The big question is: “Who is going to clean the commode?”
Dr. Chapman goes on to discuss how most engaged couples agree upon the larger question of the wife working outside the home, but don’t discuss the nitty-gritty issues of daily life.  He continues, “The Bible makes it clear that husbands should wash the dishes.  In 11 Kings 21:13 God says: ‘I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipes a dish.’  That should settle it.”
The article goes on with both serious material and humour to help couples work on their marriages and communicate better.  Dr. Chapman finishes up with “The Scriptures do not tell us ‘who should clean the commode,’ but they do encourage us to agree upon an answer.  Amos once asked: ‘Can two walk together unless they are agreed?’  The answer is not very far and not very well.  Clarifying roles clears the way for marital intimacy.”
 For information about this and other books written by Dr. Chapman, you will find more on the internet.
Books available:
Good News About Sex and Marriage (Answers to Your Honest Questions about Catholic Teaching by Christopher West)
Theology of the Body for beginners (A Basic Introduction to Pope John Paul II’s Sexual Revolution by Christopher West)
Theology of the Body for Teens (Discovering God’s Plan for Love and Life – Parent’s Guide by Jason Evert)
Theology of HIS Body/Theology of HER Body (Discovering the Strength & Mission of Masculinity/Discovering the Beauty and Mystery of Femininity by Jason Evert)
A set of the 10 CDs entitled Naked without Shame – A Crash Course in the Theology of the Body with Christopher West.
Sanctity of Life
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition has been sending regular updates. Bill C-384, has just received 2nd reading in the House.  Keep those letters, e-mails and phone calls going to your MPs.

The National March for Life takes place Thursday, May 13 in Ottawa, with a program which starts Wednesday (May 12) and a Youth Conference on the Friday (May 14).  We hope that many of our members will be able to attend this pro-life witness.  For those unable to attend, take advantage of the Candlelight Pledge Form or perhaps financially help someone else who is going.  Please keep the marchers and participants in your prayers.  For more information, go to www.marchforlife.ca.
At the winter meeting of the Provincial Council, each Arch/Diocesan President was presented with a packet of materials for their Christian Family Life Chair outlining the detrimental effects of induced abortion on women’s health.  Included in the packet was a brochure on the Alliance for Life Ontario Conference 2010 whose theme is “Facing A Changing World – Making the Case for the Future of Humanity” – June 11 & 12 (Friday & Saturday) at the Delta Meadowvale Resort & Conference Centre, Toronto.  Dr. Margaret Somerville and Michael Coren are 2 presenters, along with many other informed speakers.  For more information, refer to the brochure or go to www.allianceforlife.org.
The packet also included the brochure, The Detrimental Effects of Adolescent Abortion, which can be ordered and distributed to members.  Hamilton Diocese has completed an excellent brochure outlining the risks of abortion and this brochure has been e-mailed to each Arch/Dioceses for their use.  It was Hamilton’s hope that this information would be made available to every woman contemplating abortion so that they might be informed before making the decision to abort their baby.
The large packet has a lot of information and could be used for a discussion group and/or to inform members about the risks to women.  Most of the time, we focus on the baby in the womb, but we are also concerned about the mother.
Women’s Health in Developing Countries – On January 27, 2010 Canada used its influence as president of the G8 this year to promote maternal and child healthcare in the developing world.  This help will not include contraception or abortion, and already we are hearing calls from parliament that these should be included.  This is an opportunity for members to write to Prime Minister Harper and to our MPs commending the healthcare program and expressing our concern that abortion and population control will be included in this endeavour.  Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition, states, “Canadians oppose the use of health care terminology to force abortion and sterilization on those women.”
Ministry to Youth
World Youth Day takes place August 16 – 21, 2011 in Madrid, Spain, and many Dioceses have begun to prepare for this event.  Go online by typing in “World Youth Day 2011” and you will find a number of sites with information OR check with your Diocesan Office.  Young people who make this trip may be giving up working time or the chance to get a job in the summer, so they might need financial help to get there and still have something for their studies when they get back.   Councils can also encourage their young people to consider going to World Youth Day 2011.
NET – National Evangelization Teams of Canada – Net Ministries has been evangelizing youth for 15 years in cities and towns coast to coast.  Teams of young adult volunteers proclaim the gospel to teens in parishes and at schools and they are effective because they are young, they understand the culture and “language” of teens today.  They can implement the “Life Teen Program” which includes a youth-focused Mass.  Parishes which are ready to begin a youth program are invited to call NET Ministries or check out their website at www.netcanada.ca.  This is also a group which Councils may wish to financially and/or prayerfully support.
Religion-in-Life Award
The Religion-in-Life Award is approved by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. It is in four progressive stages, adapted to the age groups concerned and includes an adult award. They are:
Stage 1 - Yellow Border (about 7-8-9 years of age)
Stage 2 - Green Border (about 10-11-12 years of age)
Stage 3 - Blue Border (about 13-14-15 years of age)
Stage 4 - Red Border (15 years of age or older)
These stages include Learning (the Word), Responding (Worship), Serving (Witness) and projects geared to each age group.
Adult Stage - Purple Border
The Emblem
The Christian Religion in Life emblem consists of a great circle, the symbol of eternity. In the circle are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega, symbols of God, and a reminder that that the worship and service of God form an essential part of life from beginning to end.
Ministry to the Disabled
Access for the disabled - Every parish should be doing an accessibility audit of their church property. A comprehensive checklist which is available for free at http://www.city.barrie.on.ca/docs/barrierfreesimplifiedchecklist.pdf , specifically pages 1 through 9 as the remainder refer to hotels.  Sections applicable to a parish can be extracted.
Vocations
Councils may be able to access the DVD, ‘Everyone has a Vocation to Love.  What’s Yours?’ from their local Knights of Columbus.  There are 5 half-hour presentations on the Vocation of the Laity, to Marriage, the Priesthood, Religious Life for Women and Religious Life for Men.  We are all called to a Vocation whether as single or as married.  A half-hour presentation might fit into a meeting very well and a study booklet with questions accompanies the DVD.
 DVD, Fishers of Men - the US Bishops' Committee on Vocations presents a program for priests to actively invite men to consider a vocation to the priesthood. This program is entitled Priestly Life and Vocations Summit: Fishers of Men. It is the hope of the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations that this project will bring about a renewal of the priests in the United States and also lead to the regeneration of priesthood itself.  If you or your Council wishes to view this DVD, it is available on loan by contacting me.
April 25, 2010 – World Day of Prayer for Vocations and Good Shepherd Sunday
The (NAV/FD) National Association of Vocation/Formation Directors Conference took place during the March break and CWL sent 2 representatives.  Approximately 200 sisters, brothers and priests heard Fr. Ron Rolheiser, Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, speak on the topics, “Let Your Life Speak” and “Developing a Vocation Culture”.  Several workshops covered a number of topics, 6 of which we attended. 

Directive #2 - 06 October 2009

Chair: Annette Kelly

Jesus came to bless us, not to curse us. But we must choose to receive that blessing and hand it on to others. Blessings and curses are always placed in front of us. We are free to choose. God says, "Choose the blessings!" Henri Nouwen

Marriage and Family:  COLF (Catholic Organization for Life and Family) has a new brochure entitled "Families, Let's Build a Better World Together".  If you wish to preview or to order this brochure, go to http://www.colf.ca/mamboshop/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=197&Itemid=91&lang=enc

The Theology of the Body Conference takes place in Toronto on October 16 & 17.  This event is open to everyone and the registration is $40.  For more information go to http://www.godsexmeaningoflife.homestead.com/. 

Sanctity of Life:  Some work has been started on putting together a brochure on the risks and consequences of abortion in response to a suggestion at the provincial convention.  

A recent article in the Timmins Daily Press outlined another breakthrough in stem cell research. This study uses the umbilical cords of babies and appears to be much better than the results of embryonic research. 

Bill C384 (legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide) will be up for debate this fall. 

Vocations:  The Knights of Columbus have developed a prayer card for the Year of the Priests. It can be downloaded from http://www.vocations.ca/Prayers/vocation_prayers_church.php. Pope Benedict XVI General Audience Address of June 24, 2009 about the Year for Priests can be accessed at www.Vatican.ca.

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Directive # 1  27 August 2009
Chair: Annette Kelly 

As the newly-elected Ontario Christian Family Life Committee Chairperson, I would like to introduce myself to you.  I was born in Ottawa and raised in Terrace Bay on Lake Superior ' s shore.  In 1970, I married my husband Phil and have lived in Timmins since then.  We have five beautiful daughters who are now scattered around the country - Ottawa, Kingston, Chatham, Yellowknife, NT, and Seattle, WASH., and two beautiful granddaughters.

I was very fortunate to be able to stay at home while our children were growing up.  Volunteering as a La Leche League leader, supporting and teaching breast feeding mothers, and as a Lamaze instructor, preparing couples for childbirth was also a tremendous support for me as a wife and mother.  Because we used and taught the Serena Sympto-Thermal method of Natural Family Planning, we enjoy a very healthy married life.  My activities in the local Campaign Life Coalition pro-life group provided opportunities for our children to be exposed to the pro-life agenda through speakers and billeted young people from the Chastity Challenge teams.

I joined C.W.L. in 1989 when our youngest daughter was 5 years old.  20 years ago I could not foresee myself taking on any of the executive positions, and I am still slightly flabbergasted that I have grown so much in so short a time.  The League has provided ample opportunities for me to try new things, and learn so much.  We are all still learning, because there is so much going on out there.  It will be interesting to look back on these two years and see what we have accomplished together.

The Executive Handbook outlining the Christian Family Life Committee and responsibilities of the Chairperson is a good resource to review as we begin the new term.  I have used the national website (supplies & forms) to access this information while waiting for the CFL materials to reach me.   I would appreciate any ideas you have or are trying out which pertain to this committee and which might be shared with the other Arch/Dioceses.  May Our Lady of Good Counsel bless and guide our efforts to develop Christian Family Life in Ontario.

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