Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1478604
Mission of the Family Although the Mission of the Family was not one of the original "missions" that were selected to be prayed about, it was clear in the feedback from our parish gatherings that the Lord wanted to speak directly into the mission of our families. Much of the content was an echo of what was received in relation to our individual mission as disciples (families need to abide in prayer, witness to their faith, etc.). I'd like to share a few distinct themes that the Holy Spirit spoke regarding the mission of our families: E M B R ACE T H E M E S S I N E S S A N D S U FFE R I N G I N H E R E N T I N T H E M I S S I O N O F T H E FA M I LY. Avoid the temptation to compare your family to the imaginary "ideal family." The Holy Spirit highlighted the struggle of many of our families who experience a sense of shame based on their perception that their family has not lived up to the standard of an ideal family. He revealed that this sense of shame, embarrassment, resignation, etc. can often be a powerful barrier to opening ourselves to real community with other families and can give us the per- ception that we are not welcome in our parishes due to our perceived failings. I D E N TIT Y I S R ECE I V E D, FO R G O O D O R B A D, I N T H E R E L ATI O N S H I P S T H AT E X I S T W IT H I N FA M I L I E S . All of us, parents especially, need to take seriously the responsibility we have for helping our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, etc., receive a healthy and integrated identity. The Holy Spirit highlighted the need that all fam- ilies have for healing and forgiveness. It's your responsibil- ity, my responsibility, to accompany our family members on their journey towards the Father, asking for and freely giving forgiveness as often as necessary. ⊲ 17 DENVER CATHOLIC | SEPTEMBER 2022 requested by Rome and included spe- cific stipulations about how long it could be and what content it should include), the Synod team was unable to exhaust all the specific nuances and clarities heard from the Lord on each of the four missions that were discerned — that is, the missions of the Disciple, Family, Parish and Archdiocese. What follows here is a deeper glimpse into the direction the Holy Spirit gave the Church in north- ern Colorado in these four areas of mission. BY ANDREW MCGOWN Executive Director of Evangelization and Family Life Ministries for the Archdiocese of Denver