‘Families Fully Alive in Christ’

Bishop meets with families at Evangelization Center prior to Pope’s arrival at World Meeting of Families

MADISON  For families, there is no place like home. To share that message and stress the importance of families in the life of the Church, Bishop Serratelli met with families from across the diocese in the first-ever diocesan event, “Families Fully Alive in Christ,” Sept. 20.

The event, held at St. Paul’s Inside the Walls, the diocesan Evangelization Center here, was emceed by Relevant Radio 1430 AM host John Harper who did a live broadcast. The diocesan Office of Family Life coordinated the day. The diocesan event for families coincided with the World Meeting of Families taking place this week in Philadelphia where Pope Francis will celebrate the closing Mass Sept. 27.

The gathering that celebrated family life also had music provided by a family — Jim and Coleen Caulfield and their twin sons, Michael and Christopher, of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Parsippany

Bishop Serratelli told the families, “We know there is nothing more important than a good family life. That is the very basis of civilization. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has said that the family is necessary for the survival of humanity. Without the family the cultural survival of the human race is at risk. In fact, his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, said that the family is the irreplaceable school of virtue. We are made for love.”

He talked about a recent study on teen-agers and how the majority said it was more important to have a good marriage and to raise a healthy family than to have lots of money or fame. “Our young people get it. They want home sweet home. They know its value instinctively — the importance of a happy home and good marriage,” the Bishop said.

Tragically, there are many forces in society ready to tear down the very foundation of family life, the Bishop told families. He cited the high divorce rates among baby boomers; the many children who are not living with their natural fathers; how marriage isn’t seen as sacred as destination weddings have become a popular trend; and the number of couples living together outside of marriage.

“I thank the many families today rebelling against this culture by giving a witness to good family life,” said the Bishop. “A house is merely a place where families love each other and make it a home. A home is all about friendship, sacrifice, about caring, and most especially, about faith — faith in one another and faith in God. Love makes a home a place of peace and joy and it is always the love of God that does so. Marriage is not always easy to live especially in today’s culture but marriage — good marriage — is gospel for our secularized world. A good marriage is the only force that can transform the world in a word, “ ’mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.’ ”

Following his talk, family members were invited to ask the Bishop questions, many of which were centered on family life.

Sandy Clark from St. Mary Parish in Dover asked the Bishop, “How can parents strengthen their families in today’s world and continue to live out the sanctity of marriage?”

The Bishop responded by answering, “Prayer. Common prayer together. This is one of the joys of my family. My family went to Mass together every Sunday. Every single Sunday. From my mother, who lived to 99, to my youngest great grandnephew, so I think the family that prays together stays together. Sunday Eucharist has to be shared at the Lord’s table and the table at home. Family meals together are important. Another thing is family prayer. Don’t be afraid as a family to come together every evening and pray. The family who is always united to the Lord will always be united to each other.”

Eight-year-old Gianna Nelson from Sacred Heart Parish in Rockaway, asked the Bishop what was his favorite Catholic family tradition. The Bishop responded, “My favorite is Sunday Mass. We always went together as a family and then there was always a treat — we had spaghetti afterward.”

Gianna also answered the question from the Bishop about her favorite tradition. She said, “Christmas.”

Another question was asked by Larry Scienski from Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Pompton Plains: “How do we continue to engage our children to continue to practice their Catholic faith?”

The Bishop answered, “We lose a lot of our young people for some reason. I think the most effective way is by example of our faith. If young people see that their faith matters to their parents, even when they go away for college and they gradually fall away, the example of their parents will come back to speak to them very strongly. I think also involvement in parish life through youth groups when they are very young is important. We can’t just have catechetical instruction for our young people. There has to be something more in the Church.”

Following the Bishop’s talk and the question and answer session, the celebration moved outside to the lawn of St. Paul’s as families enjoyed games, cotton candy and popcorn and had the opportunity to take a photo with “Pope Francis” via a life size cut-out of the pope. Families also were invited to take part in an activity featuring a seashell to take home to remember the day.

The Bishop ended the day by giving a blessing to all the families in attendance.