MARFAM’S FAMILY MATTERS – NOVEMBER 2014
20th Anniversary International Year of the Family, theme: FAMILIES TOGETHER, THAT’S US! NOVEMBER THEME: LOSS AND NEEDED SUPPORT MARFAM – MARRIAGE AND FAMILY RENEWAL MINISTRY – NPO 103-814. Communicate with us www.marfam.org.za facebook or info@marfam.org.za
Family Matters Printable Version
CONTENTS:
Reflection: The Packaging Matters.
MARFAM News:
Article: Loss
Reflection Poem: Will I be alone
SACBC Family Life Desk News and activities,
Year Planner: 2014 November theme
2015 Family Year Planner
BITS AND BYTES
CORRESPONDENCE
FAMILY SPIRITUALITY for months November and December
FINALLY … a little light relief
“Family ministry is strengthening the living of Jesus’ message in the home as a light to all.” ~ 2011 Family Leaders Conference
REFLECTION:
Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini launches the SA White Paper on Families
The packaging matters.. With the SA postal strike now into its third month and my house and garage, with a backlog of magazines and booklets to be posted, beginning to resemble a sorting depot little wonder that I am caught up with the topic of packaging. The recent Synod on the Family and also the International Year of the Family 20th anniversary Summit dealt with packaging too in a more symbolic way.
I have enjoyed working with the SA Department of Social Development over the years in helping to develop the SA Family Policy, a Green Paper, a White Paper and on 1st October making a presentation at the National Summit on the 20th International Year of the Family at which the White Paper was officially launched. I spoke on Parish Family Ministry as a tool for implementing the White Paper on Families. Over time what has particularly interested me was the growing awareness of a family focus, making families, rather than individuals e.g. women or children, the focus of support programmes, with family strengthening the overall objective. What has become somewhat of a challenge for me there is an almost excessive focus on men and fathers, no doubt a reaction to the focus that has been given to women before. The other challenge has been a downplaying of marriage in the Family Services Forum by some in this working group, although promoting marital stability is one of the objectives of the White Paper. Being politically correct is a concern and a host of types of family structures are recognised in the White Paper, while 14 are listed in the Family Preservation manual, one of the implementation tools. The nuclear family, the traditional model of a married couple and their children remains at the top of the list. This can be confusing nuclear families also have different types. Other research has shown that only one third of children go to bed in the same house as both their biological parents. Throughout all this I find myself in that DSD Forum reminding, promoting and defending marriage. And let it be said that in spite of these dissenting voices and some legislation that is problematic for us Catholics I have found that the DSD Family Directorate does take marriage seriously and a marriage preparation and enrichment manual has been developed which is in the basket of services available for use by their social workers.
From the Church’s side I have been involved in marriage and family ministry for 35 years, many with my late husband in Catholic Engaged Encounter and Retrouvaille, for hurting marriages. In time we came to see that there is more to family life than marriage, even in the Church, and that was one of the reasons why MARFAM as a Marriage and Family Life Renewal Ministry was formed in 1994 within the Johannesburg diocese at the time. Now MARFAM is celebrating its 20th birthday. I have never deviated from the belief and promotion of marriage as the ideal foundation for a family and have produced many publications and run events promoting marriage. However, it saddens me that even in the Extraordinary Synod on the Family the main and almost exclusive focus appears to have been on issues dealing with marriage and with couples, ‘MARRIED COUPLES ARE THE EXPERTS” proclaims THE TABLET. “On what?” I ask, “on marriage or on family life?” The Synod opened doors and asks us to keep them open. There was a smidgeon of concern for grandparents. I have been widowed now for 14 years and have seldom experienced any great interest in widowhood which often also includes becoming a single parent. Not all divorced people remarry, many remain single and this presents a whole range of issues. Many adults choose not to marry and some, but not all, to cohabit. Young adults, who marry much later than before, should be in a way a greater concern than the youth who do get quite a share of the Church’s attention. MARFAM and my work in the SACBC Family Life Desk focus on all families. I am not alone in promoting the family focus in church life, one that does not downplay marriage but broadens the view and incorporates the vision of the 1994 African Synod of the Church as Family and a family as its model. Theologian Wendy Wright, in her book Sacred Dwellings has portrayed a family focus well and suggests that each family’s task is unique and different to the general call to evangelisation. A family’s primary task is nesting in all the complexity of its own reality rather than going out. Families are packaged in many ways. Surely a single parent family, a child-headed family, a skip-generation or any of the 14 types mentioned above, which also includes the same-sex family, are also a domestic church? Does God not dwell there too in the various relationships?
This November, as we pray for those who have died, I would like to invite us to pray too for that large slice of family people left behind, widowed women, but men too, and parents and children who have lost a family member. One of the ministries I have now become attached to is a retreat for widowed people. But equally with the November family theme of LOSS and NEEDED SUPPORT those who have lost a partner or parent through divorce need support. What will be there for them? Yes, healing services have become popular and healing ministry valuable but recent news coverage of the Oscar trial and sentencing highlighted how wide-reaching and complicated dealing with family matters is. Families are packaged in very many ways and God, as Father, looks on and cares for us all.
Toni Rowland
MARFAM NEWS
READ. STUDY. LEARN. The special 20th anniversary edition of MARFAM’s magazine FAMILY MATTERS 3/2014 that was distributed to delegates at the recent family conference is still in the pipeline for some others because of the ongoing postal strike in most of South Africa. With some history, also in pictorial form, and a reprint of meaningful articles over the years I have already received some compliments on it. The special 28 page edition costs R15.
Over the years the magazine has changed its name, type of publications have changed and we are working towards a stronger presence in the electronic media. Much work remains to be done to carve out a way forward. This will be discussed during MARFAM’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING on Saturday 15 November 10 am at Pauline’s Media Centre, Johannesburg. It is an open meeting to be followed by a celebratory tea, a talk by Mgr Barney McAleer and discussion around the Synod on the Family. MARFAM fans, especially some of the original, older readers would be most welcome. No charge but donations are welcome.
CURRENT FAMILY PUBLICATIONS. www.marfam.org.za. FAMILY MATTERS magazine No 2/2014 is still relevant for November and the International Year of the Family + 20 which will end shortly. MARFAM is proud to have been part of the process of developing the national White Paper on families. Cost now R10.
The 20th anniversary edition of FAMILY MATTERS magazine No 3/2014 is also now available. Cost R15 for a 28 page magazine.
The 4th in the series THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY TOGETHER WITH GOD AND FAMILY for October – December is possibly still somewhere buried amongst piles of mail.. Liturgical readings of the day are used with short life-oriented stories to promote faith sharing with a family Focus. Some of the reflections are published on the website. December reflections focus on Advent for Christmas time there is a modern day nativity story. Cost now R8.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR THOSE WHO ARE WIDOWED in English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Sotho, Tswana. Short reflections on the process of becoming widowed link it to the passion and death of Jesus and can be used by individuals or in groups.
BECOMING WIDOWED. By Toni Rowland published as a Redemptorist booklet Downloadable FAMILY ACTIVITY SHEETS for November and prayers for those who have died and those who remain and for Advent are under the liturgy section on the website.
2014 FAMILY YEAR PLANNER. The full calendar overview for the year remains on the website.
2015 FAMILY YEAR PLANNER. The theme for this second year of the 2014-2016 FOCUS ON FAMILIES is: MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, committed to love and life. As a poster calendar it is useful but even more as a Family Year Planner with all the important family dates noted it becomes a liturgical calendar for the church of the home. The overview document is posted on the web. A translation of this into various languages will be made available as soon as possible.
ARTICLE OF THE MONTH: Loss
POEM OF THE MONTH: Will I be alone in the morning?
NEWS FROM THE SACBC FAMILY LIFE DESK.
2014 THEME: FAMILIES TOGETHER – THAT’S US! From THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY, FOR FAMILIES TOGETHER WITH GOD.
NOVEMBER THEME: Loss and Needed Support.
Because of its quality of permanence family life is a typical example of the changing reality of life. There is birth, there is life and there is death. There is change. There are gains and losses to be worked through and accepted. Many of these are experienced as painful and traumatic and it is through solidarity as members stand together in love and support that difficulties can finally be accepted with grace and gratitude as gifts of life and gifts of God. Solidarity can take on the features of service and attention to those who live in poverty and need, to orphans, the handicapped, the sick, the elderly, to those who are in mourning, to those with doubts, to those who live in loneliness or who have been abandoned. From CST 246. “It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
A selection of reflections mainly for Sundays is on the website in English. Afrikaans, Sesotho, Zulu, Tswana, North Sotho and Xhosa are emailed out when available.
JANUARY : New Beginnings, Towards balanced families FEBRUARY : Love, the basis for care MARCH : Human Rights and Family Rights APRIL : Faith and Families – Together MAY : Parenting and Work-family Balance JUNE : Youth and their Families
JULY : the Elderly and Families AUGUST : Gender Balance SEPTEMBER : Families, Diverse and Together OCTOBER : Reaching out, Family to Family NOVEMBER : Loss and Needed Support DECEMBER : Healthy Families, Hope for the Future
2014-2016 FOCUS ON FAMILIES. Prayer cards in different languages and suggestions for Family Days are available from the FL Desk and can be sent in bulk to the dioceses or also to parishes @ R1 each for minimum orders of 100. The prayer can be downloaded from familydesk.sacbc.org.za
Themes for 2015 and 2016 have been proposed by the Family Life Desk working group. Using the Family Year Planner is recommended to be promoted by all bishops for their dioceses and their family desks. 2015 is again a marriage year as has been commemorated by the Family Life Desk during year B in the 3 year cycle. Marriage will feature in different contexts but especially from weeks 21 – 27 of Ordinary Time, but the whole year is not only about marriage. The overview of the monthly themes is posted on www.marfam.org.za under 2015 calendar.
2016 will include an element of healing. We welcome ideas, suggestions and plans from dioceses, parishes, movements or sodalities too. Movements generally have their own programmes e.g. marriage preparation or enrichment but are also asked to incorporate the general themes as best they can.
Other initiatives exist to promote family life during these years: wrist bands from Durban stjosephdbn@iafrica.com @ R10 And a parish family candle and candles for the home are also popular and other novelty items could be nice too. A fridge magnet was made for the Family Conference and also costs R1. All Men’s Forum, Women’s sodalities and Justice and Peace groups can incorporate a family focus in their projects.
ACTIVITIES.
October was once a gain a very busy month. Some highlights are noted. From 1-3 October I was engaged with the Social Development International Year of the Family + 20 Summit where the White Paper on Families was launched. The minister delivered a strong message of the importance of mainstreaming families and the government’s commitment to this.
Straight from there I spent a little time at the Retrouvaille International Council meeting in Durban, held for the first time in Africa and attended by nearly 200 delegates from around the world. Again seeing the commitment to helping hurting marriages was a powerful experience and the reunion of some of the founding team (see picture) was extra special. The Africa coordinators Stephen and Sandra Conway went on to the Synod in Rome where they had been invited to make a presentation on their ministry.
I managed a quick visit to the Denis Hurley Centre which is still under construction in Durban. Archbishop Hurley was a giant figure in the church, not only in South Africa, making a major contribution during the liberation struggle. The centre is not just a monument but will continue to serve the people in a unique multidenominational way.
PARISH FAMILY MINISTRY. A Parish Family Ministry workshop for Zulu-speaking parishes of the rural diocese of Eshowe was conducted to deepen their understanding as they begin to implement this programme. The diversity of languages and cultures is one of the challenges for the Church in Southern Africa and needs to be taken into consideration. Resources such as the annual Family Year Planner allow parishes and families to focus on their own realities.
FORMATION. In 2015, and with funds permitting family formation and promotion of a general family focus will feature strongly. Parish Family Ministry workshops, a Family Leaders’ conference for leaders of diocesan teams, and of family movements and a family ministry workshop for priests from various dioceses are envisaged.
SCHOENSTATT CENTENARY. A weekend of celebration was held at shrines around the world from 18-19 October. Archbishop Buti Tlhagale focused on the shrine in Johannesburg in his homily at the opening Mass. The shrine and devotion to Mary play a central role for the Schoenstatt movement founded in 1914 by Fr Joseph Kentenich and now present all over the world. I personally could identify strongly with a presentation on the Father Symbol by Sr Edith Raidt as part of the weekend celebration that I attended. Mary leads us to the Father under whose loving gaze we are able to cope with the realities of our lives. The Father Symbol was placed above the picture of Mary.
2014 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY +20.
http://www.viennafamilycommittee.org/ www.family2014.org. http://undesadspd.org/Family/InternationalObservances/TwentiethAnniversaryofIYF2014.aspx South Africa’s Department for Social Development hosted a Summit from 1-3 October in commemoration of the 20th anniversary. The Government White Paper was officially launched. Papers on research and best practice models were presented that linked with the IYF themes and discussions in commissions were incorporated into resolutions. The minister of Social Development in her address encouraged all stakeholders, including civil society, NGOs and FBOs to work towards the strengthening of family relationships and family preservation, the priorities set out in the White Paper. We, of the Catholic Church, were the only FBO present. Our paper on Parish Family Ministry as a helpful implementation tool was well received. See Toni Talks on www.marfam.org.za
The WHITE PAPER on Families. The White Paper promotes a holistic view of families and FAMILY PRESERVATION is an implementation strategy for the White Paper. It is an approach and perspective used by the department and all its social workers. It can be built into the vision for family ministry in Church structures. For example Justice and Peace programmes around land, economic justice, gender and more, and AIDS and development programmes with the holistic focus on families rather than individuals exclusively. Development programmes to date have tended to promote women’s empowerment. A focus on men and fathers is now coming to the fore but should equally not be considered in isolation.
FUTURE FAMILY MINISTRY EVENTS AND OTHER NOTICES:
Contact 082 5521275 for details or requests.
NOVEMBER
15 November, MARFAM AGM and 20th anniversary celebration with a talk by Mgr Barney McAleer. Pauline’s Media centre, Johannesburg
Retreats or talks for those who are widowed can be booked during this month.
Parish Family Ministry Weekend Workshops can be held for any parishes or dioceses. NEXT WEEKEND 13-15 MARCH 2015 to be held in Johannesburg. Open to any dioceses. Follow-up sessions are also important.
BITS AND BYTES
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. It is said, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” This pantomime in which I am involved shows that “Jack” is no dull boy and the show on the weekend 31 October – 1 November promises to be a lot of fun. The cast has worked hard but enjoyed the experience greatly. Pantomimes are a unique form of entertainment as they bring good old fairy tales to life in a modern setting with lots of characters like witches, giants, fairies, “fools,” a few love affairs and the typical quirks such as cross-dressing add to the fun. “The family that prays AND PLAYS together stays together!”
LAY FORMATION. With the SACBC Inter-diocesan Consultation the ultimate aim to develop a new Pastoral Plan for the region for the next 10-20 years the laity will be involved more and more. But laity are family people and interaction between laity and clergy in support of family life and the vision for a family-centred Church must be explored more fully. The shortage of priests and religious should have as a consequence a greater involvement and better formation of lay Catholics who do bring this specific focus. This is a very important but also very daunting challenge.
RADIO VERITAS broadcasts on 576AM, DSTV audio channel 870 and is streaming on the internet. Many Catholic issues are aired and attention is also paid to the International Year of the Family. The magazine programme FAMILY MATTERS is flighted on Wednesday 9-10am highlighting current family themes and is hosted by Toni Rowland with guests.
EXTRAORDINARY SYNOD ON THE CHALLENGES FACING FAMILIES.
Since the closing of the Synod on 18th October there have been many commentaries from many sources describing many different perspectives. These can be googled. At the time of writing, the final document has not yet been published in English. Below follows an extract from the closing speech of Pope Francis which encapsulates much of the event. From CNA(Catholic News Agency). “In the Oct. 18 speech, the Pope thanked the bishops for their efforts, and noted the various temptations that can arise in such a synod setting. He encouraged the bishops to live in the tension, saying that “personally I would be very worried and saddened if it were not for these temptations and these animated discussions; this movement of the spirits, as St Ignatius called it (Spiritual Exercises, 6), if all were in a state of agreement, or silent in a false and quietist peace.” “Instead, I have seen and I have heard – with joy and appreciation – speeches and interventions full of faith, of pastoral and doctrinal zeal, of wisdom, of frankness and of courage: and of parrhesia. And I have felt that what was set before our eyes was the good of the Church, of families, and the ‘supreme law,’ the ‘good of souls; (cf. Can. 1752).” Some of the temptations referred to were to a “hostile inflexibility” on the one hand i.e.a commitment to the letter rather than the spirit of the law and a “destructive tendency to goodness” on the other. Many propositions were voted on but those on communion for divorced and remarried Catholics and the approach to homosexual persons highlighted these two main tendencies as there was no 2/3 majority on these. As was said, the doors have been opened and the journey begins. We, family people are part of the debate.
CORRESPONDENCE
Some messages in praise of MARFAM on its 20th anniversary. Bishop Bucher, retired bishop of Bethlehem (SA) writes, “Dear Toni, Time flies! Of course I remember the visit you paid me with your late husband Chris at bishop’s house in Bethlehem, twenty years ago! We tried within our limited means always to get something out for the families in our diocese from the vast amount of excellent material which you have churned out over the years, as coordinator of the SACBC Family Life Desk. I hope you still have the strength to continue your work for a good many years, and that you will have a worthy successor when the time arrives to lay down the cudgels.”
Fr Francois Dufour, Salesian provincial writes, “Apart from being a resource in my ministry to families and couples, MARFAM challenged me to grow in my vision of the church as the Family of God and in our mission to prioritise family ministry and strive to foster family-friendly parishes.”
Sign up for the newsletter of the Pontifical Council for the Family.
For those concerned with moral issues: www.covenanteyes.com. Internet Accountability and Filtering a US based watchdog on internet safety examined the effect of pornography on different family members.
Family Life Centre, Parkwood Johannesburg. Bernadette Williams is promoting PREPARE, a marriage preparation programme suitable for any couple of any denomination. Visit www.familylife.co.za for details of their many programmes.
NEWS FROM THE CHURCH IN AFRICA. Some sources for news are: Catholic Information Service Africa (CISA) info@cisanewsafrica.com and a new agency CANAA, as “an editorially independent news service created to share news and information among local churches in Africa and beyond.”
USEFUL WEBSITES AND RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES.
For contacts of local marriage and family programmes see : www.marfam.org.za and familydesk.sacbc.org.za
RIGHT TO LIFE ISSUES Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute http://www.c-fam.org/ austin.ruse@c-fam.org.
Marriage: www.foryourmarriage.org US Catholic Bishops sponsored newsletter on marriage and family life.
www.smartmarriages.com carries numerous articles on marriage and family life. Catholic Education:
www.catholiceducation.org a very helpful and regularly updated resource for educators and any adults in improving their knowledge.
Parent-teen support: www.tugoflife.com and LIFETALK are for parents, teens and teen educators.
CIE (Catholic Institute of Education) has many programmes dealing with school-parent-child issues. www.cie.org.za
South African Catholic Internet Resource Blog set up by Frank Nunan frank@sacatholiconline.org.
Non-religious family support resources. Heartlines films and other resources on values are helpful for workshops. National Social Development departments, FAMSA, LifeLine, Child Welfare and many other NGO’s, social workers and psychologists offer counselling, marriage preparation, family education, divorce mediation and counselling, parenting, fatherhood and many more. Family Preservation is a vision and a programme of the SA Department for Social Development.
FAMILY SPIRITUALITY AND CATECHESIS.
Suggestions NOVEMBER : Loss and Needed Support and DECEMBER: Healthy Families, Hope for the Future. “Family ministry is strengthening the living of Jesus’ message in the home as a light to all.”
Does each home have some Catholic symbols, a crucifix, a Bible, possibly a little altar or shrine where the family’s liturgical calendar/year planner and any relevant mementoes from their own family are on view. Does the family pray and spend quality time in sharing including faith sharing? How are families that are regarded as “irregular” doing so, are they being welcomed and supported? See below for suggestions. Visit www.marfam.org.za for more ideas or Google.
Traditionally during November we remember those who have died in our churches. A small shrine at home can also be set up with pictures or mementoes of our own beloved dead. Memory boxes can be a helpful way to facilitate healing after loss in particular for children. In the case of terminal illness ideally a memory box should be made up before the death to help to prepare the children.
Bereavement ministries of different kinds offer very valuable support to anyone suffering loss through death. A parish family team could make this part of their work to visit, pray with or respond to any needs. Retreats for widowed people are offered by MARFAM’s Toni Rowland. Griefshare is run in some Johannesburg parishes and also offered in other churches.
Loss happens in other way too and very often through divorce where there is the loss of a spouse as well as of a parent. Children need support too. Explore programmes such as Divorce Care and Divorce Care for Children.
EXAM TIME. One of the biggest issues this month is exams. Families can pray together for the energy and preparatory work that is needed, for calm, concentration and for successful outcomes at the end.
Use the THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY as individuals or for sharing in families or groups. November focuses on loss of different kinds, through death, divorce and other family losses.
Saints and the FEASTDAYS for THE MONTH. Can be explored with google to find out more. Christ the King is the big celebration of the end of the liturgical year.
ADVENT begins on 30th November. Advent calendars are available commercially in many places but may have lost some religious meaning. Families can make their own too as well as do many other activities as families. Visit www.marfam.org.za or contact MARFAM for Advent resources, information, booklets, activity sheets and more. ADVENT WREATH, JESSE TREE, PROMISE BRANCH, CRIB, SHELTER SEEKING (A Schoenstatt suggestion) carol singing, reading stories etc. The THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY booklet contains a story that runs from Christmas eve until New Year.
DECEMBER.may be holiday time, shopping and preparation for Christmas time but it is an important time for family moments of togetherness too as they prepare for the coming of Jesus into their own family church.
1st DECEMBER. World AIDS Day. Keep in mind the reality that HIV/AIDS is still with us and infection rates can easily increase during holiday time because of irresponsible behaviour. Remember ABC.
16 DECEMBER DAY OF RECONCILIATION. Families could hold a simple reconciliation service at home before Catholic members go to confession.
28 DECEMBER, HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY and HOLY INNOCENTS. This Sunday after Christmas remember all family members, especially those absent ones and remember especially all the children who have been affected this year in all the violent events across the world. Remember unborn children killed through abortion. Make some time to discuss these matters together as a family.
FAMILY PRAYER BOOK has many short prayers and suggestions for a “Family Hour,” or a shorter time for family faith sharing. Members are also encouraged to make up their own prayers and sharing topics. The bishops’ PRAYER FOR FAMILIES is printed on the back.
Family catechesis, is learning and sharing our faith at home with members of all ages and is to be encouraged widely. On a secular level too family communication is considered very important, even necessary for normal growth and a stable family.
FINALLY …… A LITTLE LIGHT RELIEF
A farmer named Muldoon lived alone in the countryside with a wee dog that he loved and doted on. After many long years of faithful companionship, the dog finally died, so Muldoon went to the parish priest: “Father, my dear old dog is dead. Could you be saying a Mass for him?”
Father Patrick replied, “I am so very sorry to hear about your dog’s death. But, unfortunately, I can’t say Mass for the poor creature…”
Muldoon said, “I understand, Father, I do. I guess I’ll go to this new church down the road; no tellin’ what they believe… Do you think R500 is enough to donate for the service?” Father Patrick: “Why didn’t you tell me your dog was Catholic?!”
A priest and a taxi driver both died and went to Heaven at the same time. They get to the pearly gates where Pope St. Peter greets them. He motions to the priest, and they both hop in a jeep and go out the back door. There are about 50 acres of rolling hills with a little cottage on the knoll.
St. Peter turns to the priest and says “This will be yours for eternity. A perfect little cottage, right next to lovely pond, a lush little garden, and a library full of books.”
The priest says, “Thank you so much. This I shall enjoy!” St. Peter drops off the priest, goes back to the pearly gates and motions to the taxi driver.
They hop in a stretch limo and go out the front door. There are about 500 acres of land, with mountains and lakes and rivers. There is a huge 200-room castle on one of the mountains, and a wishing well that makes wishes come true. St. Peter says “This will be yours for eternity. You can live in that castle with servants to wait on you hand and foot, and you can have everything you want.”
The taxi driver looks and St. Peter and says “Well, now, don’t think I’m not grateful, but why am I getting so much more than the priest?” St. Peter just laughs and says “You brought more souls to Heaven! When the priest preached, everyone fell asleep. When you drove your taxi, people prayed!”
The parish decided to have a Halloween celebration. All the children were invited to dress up as their favourite saint. On the night the kids arrived, a little boy dressed up as St. Anthony, St. Joseph, a little girl is St. Clare – and then there was a kid in a dog costume.
So Father asks “Where’s your saint costume?” The little boy replied: “I’m SAINT BERNARD!”
Read More about Marfam And its Vision at www.marfam.org.za. Financial and other support welcomed. MARFAM’s vision since its start in 1995 has been the renewal of family life in the Church through education and enrichment. Publications are a resource for families, educators, parishes and for the work of the Family Life Desk of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Read more at www.marfam.org.za We thank our advertisers for their support and ask readers to support them in turn. Financial contributions towards MARFAM’s ministry are also most welcome. Details supplied on request.