Home as an Agent of Mercy

Colleen Gerke
Family and Respect Life Office Archdiocese of Cincinnati
2016

Prayer
In good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, we belong to each other as we belong to you, God ever faithful. By morning and by night may your name be on our lips, a blessing to all our days: so may your kindness and patience be ever among us, a hunger for justice, and songs of thankfulness in all we do. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Familiaris Consortio

• The Family in the Modern World in response to the 1980 Synod
• "Domestic Church"
• Parents are key as the first evangelizers of their children
• "Become what your are"

4 tasks of the family

• Forming a community of persons
• Serving life
• Participating in the development of society
• Sharing in the life and mission of the Church

Synod 2015

"the Church turns respectfully to those who participate in her life in an incomplete and imperfect way, appreciating the positive values they contain rather than their limitations and shortcomings"

The truth is incarnated in human fragility not to condemn it, but to cure it.

The joyous testimony of spouses and family is key to evangelization.

Untitled Slide

Everyone has a story.

Listen to their dream.

Be partners.

Holiness is in the trying.

Know your resources.

Know your limits.

Don't take it personally.

Pray.

What do you need?