SJA March 3rd Insights

NBC CHICAGO REPORTER  MARY ANN AHERN  INSIGHTS ON POPE FRANCIS, ARCHBISHOP CUPICH AND THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS ON THE FAMILY

Soul Sister Jo Ellen introducing Mary Ann Ahern

St. Joan of Arc Parish Pastor Fr. Dan Costello talking about his anecdotal meeting with Archbishop Cupich

The evening started with a Hail Mary prayer for the ailing Cardinal Francis George.  He was admitted a few days ago at Loyola Medical Center for his bladder cancer that was diagnosed in 2006.

Archbishop Emeritus  of Chicago Cardinal Francis George

Mary Ann Ahern as a veteran reporter on religion and politics has attended all of Vatican and local important religious events.  She related her meetings with the new Archbishop Blase Cupich of Chicago.
The Synod on the Family is part of a greater discernment process begun by Pope Francis to have the Church discern where God is moving and calling us in this moment with regard to family life.  He has called together two synods or meetings of representative bishops from throughout the world to consider the family.  The first synod took place in the fall of 2014, and the second will take place this coming October 2015.  Archbishop Cupich has been named as an alternate delegate to the synod.

The theme of the synod is the vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world.  The hope of the synod is to make the "gospel of the family" come alive in our world.  The full documentation, called the Lineamenta or guidelines, along with discourses by Pope Francis and two articles, can be found at the archdiocesan website: 
http://www.archchicago.org 
The Holy Father will be visiting the United States for 6 days this coming September.  He is going to be the first pope to address the US Congress in Washington, D.C.  New York and Philadelphia are included in his itinerary. 

Archbishop of Chicago Blase Cupich

Parish Consultation Form

• How has family life been a grace or a blessing from God for you?    I really and truly believe that "A family that prays together stays together."  I'm so thankful that I grew up in a good family, mind you there's no perfect family,  being  cared for and well-provided by my loving and hardworking parents.   I'm happy and contented with all the blessings I received because of my never-ending prayers for good health, mentally, physically and spiritually.  Lucky me, God always answers my prayers.  He never fails me!
• In what way does our American culture at this historical moment help or hinder our families from being the families that God wants them to be?    As a Filipino born Catholic, it's obvious I did not come from the very beginning in an American culture and its ways.  But I don't think there's really no difference at all because the Catholic Church is a Universal Church under the dogmas and traditions of the Vatican.  American culture is a modern culture, whatever that means.  It is up to the parent or parents to be involved in their children's education and activities more closely.  Remind and teach the children to trust God in all their daily undertaking - that He is the truth and the way to everlasting life.
• In your experience, what are the main challenges that families face today?   In an American society and any other society the main challenges are a broken family, poverty or too much money (the root of all evil), drugs, mental health, abuses of all kinds and no relationship with God.
• How can we as a Church respond to those challenges?    This is quite difficult for the Catholic Church with 1.2 billion faithful members.  However, there's nothing to do but help by alms giving and support religious organizations such as Catholic Relief Service, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese Appeal, Peter's Pence among other things. 
• Can you suggest ways that parishes can include and be more available to those who might be overlooked when we consider family life, for example, single people, the widowed, single parents, divorced or separated, those who identify as gay or lesbian, and others.    In my overall experience as a Catholic parishioner in my church I find all to be welcoming and friendly.  For instance, the Archdiocese of Chicago have for many years endorsed celebrating the Filipino American community religious Christmas  tradition of  "Simbang Gabi" (Evening Mass).  Also, the celebration of  the miraculous Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Mexican American community.  Most parishes have religious education and bible studies.  Hey, there are no limits to liturgical festivities in the Catholic Church where all can participate and enjoy!

St. Joan of Arc Parish   Evanston-Skokie

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6/20/10 Sunday: St. Joan of Arc Filipino Community of Skokie, Laramie Park


Published 6/26/10  altgroup multiply
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