In today’s day and age families are stressed to the max. We have a higher rate of divorce, a higher rate of single parent families, more moms working then ever before and more women assuming the role of bread winner. What does all this mean for the family? It means that babies are being left with someone other than a parent when they are six weeks old or less. It means that dads are being left to care for children, house and job. It means moms are assuming the role of dad, mom, homemaker and the sole supporter of the family. It means that grandparents are doing the parenting etc., etc., etc..

Family Ministry puts us in touch with our own brokenness and through that brokenness we are able to share in the pain and hurt of our parishioners and thus become healers. One could describe Family Ministry as a sort of grief work because we journey with people through their pain and uncertainties. Some Church structures cannot handle the burden and crumble as they attempt this undertaking. Many question all the complications that could arise and close their eyes and turn their backs on the challenge at hand. Skilled and qualified Family Ministers enter this ministry with their eyes and ears open, with their arms out stretched. We are willing to risk, to deal with our own issues and look people in the eye and say, "I don’t have all the answers, but I am here to hold your hand and cry with you."

Family Life Ministry is the capability of walking in the discomfort of the human dilemma and the our Father’s plan for us. It continually draws us back to an appreciation for of our lack of wisdom, the comfort of God’s Word, the nourishment of Eucharist and the need for grace in all our lives. This is not a glamourous ministry. This is Ministry that will cause whole households and villages to believe because they see the testimony of one fallen child of God touched by the healing hand of another.

Family Ministry is an outreach ministry based on the belief that we are all children of the One God, brothers and sisters in Christ and we are here to serve one another. It is a ministry that is concerned with the pastoral, spiritual, emotional, formational and social needs of our people throughout all stages and phases of life from the beginning of life to the end with a special sensitivity to families and their specific needs. Family Ministry is not a ministry that focuses on making everything better. It is a ministry that listens, feeds, hears and holds. The Family Minister is, therefore, an ambassador of healing, peace and gentility. Our purpose is simple, we are servants of the people.

THEREFORE, THE FAMILY LIFE MINISTER MUST...

* Feel the exhaustion of a mother at 6:00 AM dropping her child off at day care; stand in the grocery store checkout line at 5:45 PM with the other working mothers; give a shoulder to a mom of small children whose husband has been critically injured and hold the hand and pray with an aging woman whose husband is about to die.

* Rejoice at the birth of a new baby and share in the joy of parenthood; mourn with the young couple who has just lost their child from SIDS and be a shoulder for a mom who has just miscarried.

* Walk with an undercover drug unit into a drug bust; Admit a loved one into a hospital at 3:00 AM for an overdose; Be a tower of strength for parents whose 15 year old has attempted suicide and be an understanding and caring friend for the 15 year old who is confused and wants to end it all.

* Sit in divorce court with a couple, as a husband and wife carve up their possessions and their life together; understand the needs and anxieties of young people about to be married and be empathetic and supportive of the predicament of a single parent.

* Be able to understand the effects of abuse and be able to help children who need to get out or break the tendency in their families; be comfortable ministering to all ages of family from children through elderly; be able to prepare God’s people for death, sickness, conflict and many other life stresses.

* Be faith-filled and willing to risk for sake of another; feel the pain and anguish of all those who seek help; be able to smile, be compassionate and understanding at all times, and be willing to change schedules and work hours sometimes seen as impossible.

* Be able to call on the talents of men and women whose gifts often go un-recognized, have a strong working relationship with the Pastor; Be able to witness the faith in such a way that others will want it; Laugh when parishioners laugh and cry when they cry; Love deeply; Forgive easily; Minister with a passion; Be able to see God in others; be happy with being last, and know God is in every situation. Love God, people and ministry.

"It is through the sharing of ourselves with others,

that we ourselves become whole."

May God continue to bless us and gift us with each other.