“The future of the world and of the Church passes through the family.” St. Pope John Paul II, Familiaris consortio, no. 75 • Pope Francis is coming to the United States, so that he can attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. • The WMOF was begun by St. Pope John Paul II who was pope from 1978-2005 before Pope Francis (and Pope Benedict XVI). During St. John Paul II’s papacy, he spoke often about the importance of the family. • Look at the quote in the picture of St. John Paul II above. Draw a picture or write a few thoughts about your experience of your own
Transcript
“The future of the world and of the
Church passes through the family.”
St. Pope John Paul II,Familiaris consortio, no. 75
• Pope Francis is coming to the United States, so that he can attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.
• The WMOF was begun by St. Pope John Paul II who was pope from 1978-2005 before Pope Francis (and Pope Benedict XVI). During St. John Paul II’s papacy, he spoke often about the importance of the family.
• Look at the quote in the picture of St. John Paul II above. Draw a picture or write a few thoughts about your experience of your own family. Why and how do you think that the future of the world and of the Church might pass through the family? Why do you think the family is so important to the Church?
Pope Francis at the World Meeting of Families and the Jubilee of
Mercy
• First, think about you own experience of your family. Why is the family important?
• Next, explore the history of the World Meeting of Families and think about why
Pope Francis is coming to America for this event.
• Then, learn about the Jubilee of Mercy that Pope Francis has declared for the
Church this coming year.
• Finally, think about the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and other ways
the Church has given us to experience Christ’s mercy.
• WMOF was conceived by Saint Pope John Paul II in 1992 to look at strengthening the sacred bonds of families across the globe. The first WMOF took place in Rome in 1994, the International Year of the Family.
• Every three years since 1994, families from all over the world are invited by the Holy Father to attend this global gathering. At the conference, families share their thoughts, dialogue, and prayers, working together to grow as individuals and families. Families can participate in discussion groups on the Christian family’s role in the Church and society, led by many distinguished speakers.
• If you could personally participate in this meeting, what are some important questions you would ask Pope Francis to consider about the family?
• Pope Francis has announced a Jubilee Year of Mercy, so we can live in the light of the word of the Lord: “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (cf. Lk 6:36).
• This Holy Year will commence on the next Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 2015 and will conclude on Sunday, November 20, 2016, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and living face of the Father's mercy.
• Pope Francis told us: “Do not forget that God forgives all, and God forgives always. Let us never tire of asking forgiveness. Let us henceforth entrust this Year to the Mother of Mercy, that she turn her gaze upon us and watch over our journey: our penitential journey, our year-long journey with an open heart, to receive the indulgence of God, to receive the mercy of God.”
• What does mercy mean?• How have you experienced mercy?• What does it mean that the Father has a
merciful gaze on us?• What are ways that you know the mercy of
the Father in the life of the Church?– The Sacrament of Reconciliation?– The Sacrament of the Eucharist?– Others?
Old Man In Sorrow (On the Threshold of Eternity).Vincent Van Gogh, 1890.
• During an interview Pope Francis was asked: “Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?”
• How would you answer that question? Who am I?
• Pope Francis answered: “I do not know what might be the most fitting description . . . I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.”
• Pope Francis also has said that, "The privileged place for the encounter with Jesus Christ is our sins.” Our sins become the place for the mercy of Christ to enter.
