1. Chapter 17 The Family

2. Learning Goals We will be able to explain how the family is the primary environment for the ethical and moral formation of the person.We will be able to explain how the family is the primary environment for the ethical and moral formation of the person. To identify ways in which the family contributes to the common good.To identify ways in which the family contributes to the common good. To understand how our families help us grow in faith to become closer with Jesu. sTo understand how our families help us grow in faith to become closer with Jesu. s

3. Key Terms Catechesis: The means by which the Church through its faithful instructs its members in the faith, making it living, conscious and active. Catechesis: The means by which the Church through its faithful instructs its members in the faith, making it living, conscious and active. Compassion: The ability to “feel” for the other; to take a part in another persons suffering or pain; to be kind and merciful. Compassion: The ability to “feel” for the other; to take a part in another persons suffering or pain; to be kind and merciful. Discern: To perceive clearly; to distinguish the right from wrong. Discern: To perceive clearly; to distinguish the right from wrong. Domestic Church: The home as a “little church” where its members find life, are nurtured and formed. It bears the characteristics of the larger church, being one, holy, catholic and apostolic in a manner appropriate to the family. Domestic Church: The home as a “little church” where its members find life, are nurtured and formed. It bears the characteristics of the larger church, being one, holy, catholic and apostolic in a manner appropriate to the family.

4. Key Terms 2 Family: A family comes in many configurations. The “nuclear family” includes the mother and father and their children. The “extended family” includes the nuclear family and its blood relations, namely grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and in-laws. Family: A family comes in many configurations. The “nuclear family” includes the mother and father and their children. The “extended family” includes the nuclear family and its blood relations, namely grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and in-laws. Formation: People mature, develop, and grow as a result of the nurturing, education, and opportunities that they receive, and in interaction with the environment in which they find themselves. Formation: People mature, develop, and grow as a result of the nurturing, education, and opportunities that they receive, and in interaction with the environment in which they find themselves. Natural Family Planning: A method whereby a married couple adapts their sexual relations to the rhythms of the woman’s fertility cycle. Natural Family Planning: A method whereby a married couple adapts their sexual relations to the rhythms of the woman’s fertility cycle.

5. Key Terms 3 Sanctuary: A holy place, a place of refuge and safety. Sanctuary: A holy place, a place of refuge and safety. Solidarity: A coming or holding together of individuals into a community of common interest or action. Solidarity: A coming or holding together of individuals into a community of common interest or action. Vocation: A divine call to a way of life, such as the married state, or to a priestly or religious life, or the single life. Vocation: A divine call to a way of life, such as the married state, or to a priestly or religious life, or the single life.

6. The family: a witness to love Family is a place where we never stop learning how to love other people—the people who are closest to us—above all else.Family is a place where we never stop learning how to love other people—the people who are closest to us—above all else. In our family, whatever its strengths or weaknesses, we learn about giving, forgiving, and looking beyond ourselves to be with others in solidarity.In our family, whatever its strengths or weaknesses, we learn about giving, forgiving, and looking beyond ourselves to be with others in solidarity. In this sanctuary of life we discover the freedom and mutuality that lead to openness to the other, hospitality, and the creativity we need to reach the other.In this sanctuary of life we discover the freedom and mutuality that lead to openness to the other, hospitality, and the creativity we need to reach the other. Our families—whether they be deeply united, having difficulties, questioning, or unhappy—can become witnesses of merciful love.Our families—whether they be deeply united, having difficulties, questioning, or unhappy—can become witnesses of merciful love.

7. The family as the basic cell of society The family, grounded on marriage freely contracted, monogamous and indissoluble, is and must be considered the first and essential cell of human society. From this it follows that most careful provision must be made for the family both in economic and social matters as well as in those which are of a cultural and moral nature, all of which look to the strengthening of the family and helping it carry out its function.The family, grounded on marriage freely contracted, monogamous and indissoluble, is and must be considered the first and essential cell of human society. From this it follows that most careful provision must be made for the family both in economic and social matters as well as in those which are of a cultural and moral nature, all of which look to the strengthening of the family and helping it carry out its function.

8. The decline in the size of Canadian families The birth rate in Canada is on the decline.The birth rate in Canada is on the decline. Today many married couples begin their families in their late twenties and early thirties.Today many married couples begin their families in their late twenties and early thirties. The demands of the economy and workplace make it difficult for couples to balance family and work.The demands of the economy and workplace make it difficult for couples to balance family and work. Some chose to have one child or none at all.Some chose to have one child or none at all. There are other reasons for the decline in size of the family: birth control and abortions.There are other reasons for the decline in size of the family: birth control and abortions.

9. Family Planning The Catholic Church has condemned the use of contraceptives in an encyclical by Pope Paul VI in 1968.The Catholic Church has condemned the use of contraceptives in an encyclical by Pope Paul VI in 1968. In the Church’s view, Christian couples must remain open to life in planning the timing for and the number of their children.In the Church’s view, Christian couples must remain open to life in planning the timing for and the number of their children. They are responsible for managing this procreative potential.They are responsible for managing this procreative potential.

10. They must critically examine, in all generosity, the quality of the conjugal and family environment they can provide and their capacity to be open to new life.They must critically examine, in all generosity, the quality of the conjugal and family environment they can provide and their capacity to be open to new life. They must realistically asses their physical, financial and psychological resources in order to ensure that each of their children has the opportunity to grow in a loving, stable home environment.They must realistically asses their physical, financial and psychological resources in order to ensure that each of their children has the opportunity to grow in a loving, stable home environment. All family planning methods are based on a set of values. The Church believes that natural methods express the indivisible link between loving union and the procreative potential of intercourse in the context of married love.All family planning methods are based on a set of values. The Church believes that natural methods express the indivisible link between loving union and the procreative potential of intercourse in the context of married love. For this reason, the Church sees natural family planning and not contraception as the morally acceptable choice.For this reason, the Church sees natural family planning and not contraception as the morally acceptable choice.

11. Abortion Abortion has also effected the size of the family.Abortion has also effected the size of the family. In 2000, Canadian women obtained 105,000 abortions.In 2000, Canadian women obtained 105,000 abortions. That is a staggering 32 abortions for every 100 live birthsThat is a staggering 32 abortions for every 100 live births The understanding of marriage as a union of a man and a woman for mutual support and the creation of a family was dealt a blow when abortion as removed from the criminal code of Canada in 1988.The understanding of marriage as a union of a man and a woman for mutual support and the creation of a family was dealt a blow when abortion as removed from the criminal code of Canada in 1988.

12. Formation in Families The foundation of human and spiritual formation takes place in the family. Because infants and children have little experience to go by, they tend to imitate parents. They assume their ways of doing things; they pattern themselves according to their likes and dislikes; they take on their vision of the world.The foundation of human and spiritual formation takes place in the family. Because infants and children have little experience to go by, they tend to imitate parents. They assume their ways of doing things; they pattern themselves according to their likes and dislikes; they take on their vision of the world.

13. Faith Formation The home becomes the primary place where faith can be witnessed and formed.The home becomes the primary place where faith can be witnessed and formed. In the General Directory for Catechesis, the Church’s document for the transmission of faith, we read:In the General Directory for Catechesis, the Church’s document for the transmission of faith, we read: “The witness of Christian life given by parents in the family comes to children with tenderness and parental respect. Children thus perceive and joyously live the closeness of God and of Jesus made manifest by their parents in such a way that this first Christian experience frequently leaves decisive traces which last throughout life.“The witness of Christian life given by parents in the family comes to children with tenderness and parental respect. Children thus perceive and joyously live the closeness of God and of Jesus made manifest by their parents in such a way that this first Christian experience frequently leaves decisive traces which last throughout life.

14. Family as Domestic Church St. John Chrysostom in the fourth century said that “the household is a little church.” He saw the family as a “little church” because of the family’s role in the formation of people.St. John Chrysostom in the fourth century said that “the household is a little church.” He saw the family as a “little church” because of the family’s role in the formation of people. He saw that the primary responsibility for the spiritual and moral training of children was with the family.He saw that the primary responsibility for the spiritual and moral training of children was with the family. A Christian family was a family that cared fro the poor and shared their property.A Christian family was a family that cared fro the poor and shared their property.

15. Today, the idea of the family as the domestic church has returned. Pope John Paul II used the metaphor of domestic church to describe the Christian family in his Apostolic Exhortation The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World. What would such a family look like?Today, the idea of the family as the domestic church has returned. Pope John Paul II used the metaphor of domestic church to describe the Christian family in his Apostolic Exhortation The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World. What would such a family look like? A domestic church is not the same as a local church or parish. But it is the fertile soil of the local church.A domestic church is not the same as a local church or parish. But it is the fertile soil of the local church. The family would have to be a sacrament, a symbol of the risen Christ.The family would have to be a sacrament, a symbol of the risen Christ. If the family is to be a “little church” it will bear some of the characteristics of the large Church. It too in some way will be one, holy, catholic and apostolic.If the family is to be a “little church” it will bear some of the characteristics of the large Church. It too in some way will be one, holy, catholic and apostolic.

16. The “little church” 1) One1) One Oneness in the Christian tradition does not mean being the same. Just as in God oneness embraces distinctions (the Trinity: one God, three persons) so for the family to be one in Christ is to trust that each person is singular and distinct. What holds it together is respect and appreciation of the other, and above all, love in its various meanings. Amidst the usual conflicts and pain of growing up and maturing, a family remains a bond and a commitment to the other which will not let the other go.Oneness in the Christian tradition does not mean being the same. Just as in God oneness embraces distinctions (the Trinity: one God, three persons) so for the family to be one in Christ is to trust that each person is singular and distinct. What holds it together is respect and appreciation of the other, and above all, love in its various meanings. Amidst the usual conflicts and pain of growing up and maturing, a family remains a bond and a commitment to the other which will not let the other go.

17. The “little church” 2) Holy 2) Holy To be holy a family needs to be wholesome. Every family needs a spirituality. They need the restlessness of God’s Spirit to fire them into life. This relation to God needs to be nourished and stimulated. Eg. Celebrating Christmas, Easter, rights of passage in the Church.To be holy a family needs to be wholesome. Every family needs a spirituality. They need the restlessness of God’s Spirit to fire them into life. This relation to God needs to be nourished and stimulated. Eg. Celebrating Christmas, Easter, rights of passage in the Church. 3) Catholic 3) Catholic A family that is catholic is a family in which the whole world is somehow present. If one brings Jesus into the home, Jesus brings the whole world with him. To be catholic means to be open to all cultures and to all that is authentically human.A family that is catholic is a family in which the whole world is somehow present. If one brings Jesus into the home, Jesus brings the whole world with him. To be catholic means to be open to all cultures and to all that is authentically human.

18. The “little church” 4) Apostolic 4) Apostolic A family that is apostolic is a family that keeps alive the work of Christ. It is a family that keeps the traditions that go all the way back to Jesus. Parents help each other to live the gospel and pass their faith onto their children.A family that is apostolic is a family that keeps alive the work of Christ. It is a family that keeps the traditions that go all the way back to Jesus. Parents help each other to live the gospel and pass their faith onto their children.

19. The Christian Family Grows Together in Faith

20. 5 traits of a healthy Christian Family As young Catholics you are a part of a generation that will shape the future of marriage and family life.As young Catholics you are a part of a generation that will shape the future of marriage and family life. 5 traits of a healthy Christian family:5 traits of a healthy Christian family: 1) Emphasize the relational: A healthy Christian family should be built on a proper spousal relationship. Such relationships are characterized by faithfulness and openness to human life, shared dedication to the welfare of children, equality, dignity, respect, celebration, intimacy, mutual understanding, compassion and support. 1) Emphasize the relational: A healthy Christian family should be built on a proper spousal relationship. Such relationships are characterized by faithfulness and openness to human life, shared dedication to the welfare of children, equality, dignity, respect, celebration, intimacy, mutual understanding, compassion and support.

21. 5 traits of a healthy Christian Family 2) Promote social responsibility: One of the major tasks of families is to leas all to participate in the social life of society. This means promoting awareness of the health of the earth, participating responsibly in the economic life of society so that all can contribute to the general wellbeing of society, and fostering an active interest in political life. Families are indispensible for achieving the common good. 2) Promote social responsibility: One of the major tasks of families is to leas all to participate in the social life of society. This means promoting awareness of the health of the earth, participating responsibly in the economic life of society so that all can contribute to the general wellbeing of society, and fostering an active interest in political life. Families are indispensible for achieving the common good. 3) Become a family in Christ: With family bonds weakened in our time, there is a greater need to support families. It is important to remember what Jesus said about these bonds. The kinship aspect of the family—blood relations, family identity, extended family, economic interests—needs to be tempered by the new family that Jesus proclaimed. 3) Become a family in Christ: With family bonds weakened in our time, there is a greater need to support families. It is important to remember what Jesus said about these bonds. The kinship aspect of the family—blood relations, family identity, extended family, economic interests—needs to be tempered by the new family that Jesus proclaimed.

22. 5 traits of a healthy Christian Family 4) Include the excluded: Christians must always be aware of God’s preferential option for the poor. In educating children, we should train their eyes to see the world in the light of the gospel. 4) Include the excluded: Christians must always be aware of God’s preferential option for the poor. In educating children, we should train their eyes to see the world in the light of the gospel. 5) Be an ethical and moral family: The family is the place where the first ethical and moral training takes place. Here the parent to guardian is to be the primary witness. The adults in the family shape the children’s capacity for moral reasoning. They can give witness to the ultimate value of the will of God in life. 5) Be an ethical and moral family: The family is the place where the first ethical and moral training takes place. Here the parent to guardian is to be the primary witness. The adults in the family shape the children’s capacity for moral reasoning. They can give witness to the ultimate value of the will of God in life.