The family that prays the Rosary together, stays together
Brothers and Sisters,
At the beginning of October we embark on the beautiful month of Holy Rosary. The Rosary is a powerful meditation prayer where, with Mary, we meditate on the Saving Events of the Father’s Plan in Jesus at its core. This prayerful meditation is able to transform our hearts and keep us away from evil so that we can become Jesus-like in everything that we do, think and say. Today more than ever, we are in need of the Rosary as a family prayer to help prevent the downfall of the family. The pressure of modern life has minimised family togetherness?
Pope Pius XII insisted in his own time: “If you pray the Rosary together, you will experience peace in your families; you will get on together.” We all know the famous saying: “The family that prays together, stays together.” Therefore the family that prays the Rosary together, stays together. As a parish family we pray the Rosary on a daily in Arabic and English. Let’s make an extra effort this month to pray the Rosary with your family whether at home or in the parish.
The role of the family and new pastoral approaches will be the focus of the Synod on the Family in Rome which starts today. His Excellency Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay is one of two Maronite Bishops elected by the Maronite Synod of Bishops to accompany the Maronite Patriarch to represent the Maronite Church at the Synod. His Excellency asks that we keep the Synod, the Holy Father and all participants in our prayers at this time for the Success of the Synod and pray the following prayer (which will be prayed during Masses and in Schools throughout the Month of October):
Jesus, Mary & Joseph, In you we contemplate the splendour of true love, to you we turn with trust. Holy family of Nazareth, grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic churches. Holy Family of Nazareth, may families never again experience violence, rejection and division. May all who have been hurt or scandalised find ready comfort and healing. Holy Family of Nazareth, may the Synod of Bishops make us more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family and its beauty in God’s plan. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, graciously hear our prayer. Amen.
On a parish note, my message regarding the “burnouts” outside our Church from last week’s Shepherd’s Corner has gained a great deal of support from parishioners and the community and I encourage all to continue to spread the word to family and friends.
Also I will be on Annual leave from this Sat 3 October in the USA and will be back on 30 October after spending time visiting relatives in our Maronite Parishes as well as for some of “R and R”.
Finally, a very warm welcome back to Father Tony Sarkis who arrives back this Thursday from a well-deserved leave in Lebanon. Keep all of us Priests in your prayer intentions during your Rosary.
