May 27, 2018 - "Families in Special Circumstances"

Cardinal Wuerl promulgated a Pastoral Plan to implement Pope Francis’ post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia (AL), on Sunday March 4, 2018.  The fourth section of the Pastoral Plan stresses the importance of parish life.
 
Today I want to present some thoughts for accompanying families in special circumstances that are presented in this section of the pastoral plan.
 
We need to echo what Pope Francis says:  “I thank God that many families, which are far from considering themselves perfect, live in love, fulfill their calling and keep moving forward, even if they fall many times along the way…there is no stereotype of the ideal family, but rather a challenging mosaic made up of many different realities with all their joys, hopes and problems” (AL, 57).
 
While every family faces challenges and hardships, many of our families have particular circumstances that without the support of prayer and accompaniment tear at the fabric of family life.  Families who are separated due to military service, immigration restrictions, and marital strife experience particular challenges that call for specific forms of accompaniment.  To families whose members are separated, the Church seeks to “stand in solidarity” with you (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Strangers No Longer, 9).  Parishes should be ready to help families access the proper resources to address legal, social and medical needs.  Even amid challenging circumstances, our faith reminds us that God is always with us and we place our hope in him.
 
Below are listed a number of observations that come out of what we have learned in trying to be of pastoral service to families and individuals in special circumstances.
 
Immigrant families:
· Know that your parish is a support for you and should have information regarding legal and social services through Catholic Charities and other trusted local entities that can support your family during difficult and challenging moments.
· The Archdiocese of Washington’s Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach offers resources and programs that seek to accompany families and individual Catholics; and
· Contact your parish to find essential correspondence, sacramental preparation and religious education materials that are linguistically and culturally appropriate to serve the diverse ethnic and cultural communities within the parish.

Families in the military:
· Ask your parish to help you connect to families in the parish who can offer friendship and support at holidays, and during times of deployment; and
· Ask your parish to include a prayer space at church or intercessory prayers during Mass that remind people of the sacrifices our military personnel and their families make to defend our country.

Families with persons with special needs:
· Encourage your parish to review the standards for compliance that make our churches and parish facilities warmly accessible and welcoming for persons who use audio loops, large print materials, walkers, wheelchairs, and other adaptive devices which support inclusion of all persons.
· Reach out to your pastor or pastoral staff and/or the Archdiocese of Washington’s Department of Special Needs Ministries to ensure that your loved one living with a disability has the support needed to participate fully in the life and rhythm of your parish including faith formation, sacramental preparation, social events and service opportunities; and
· Ask your parish to help you connect with other families that include persons with special needs and with opportunities in the community that support and celebrate the lives of all persons.
 
We will continue this discussion next week.
 
Until then,
Fr. John Dillon