Family

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and a time to look at how our families can find inspiration from this first of families. Simple obedience to the requests of God, especially those which seemed "impossible" and demanding more than average faith and trust: Mary's pregnancy before her marriage, Joseph's dilemma, the trip to Bethlehem, the search for a room, the flight into Egypt, the return to Nazareth, the temporary loss of Jesus, fidelity to the raising of the Child into manhood in the day to day humdrum of work, Joseph's death, Jesus departure from Mary for his mission, Mary's "letting go" and later pain when she witnesses his passion and death. What couple has not experienced its own suprises and demands far beyond their imaginations as they walked down the aisle and pronounced their vows before the altar? Fidelity, faith, love, trust emerge as the glue that binds no matter what the stress. Sometimes very hard choices have to be made, choices that do not fit the ideal pattern, but can lead still foster a relationship with God and the proper raising of the children. Happily, our US Marist Province has taken the Holy Family as its patron, and images of this remarkable family are present in our communities and schools as reminder of the values we must foster in our commuity life and in our schools. Our Marist Family Spirit is a great gift that we share with each other, our colleagues, our parents and our students. May we reflect on the model presented by the Holy Family to appreciate and put into practice this simple but precious gift and love one another as members of this extended family.
Bro. Rene
I will be away till Monday evening, celebrating family in Wheeling, WV and will not have access to a computer. Sunday is the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, and the World Day of Peace. May Mary help us all to find the peace that eludes us, the peace that can only be found in her Son, the Prince of Peace.