Day for Life 2009

Day for Life – the day in the Church’s year dedicated to celebrating the dignity of life from conception to natural death – will this year focus on the theme of suicide. The main emphasis of Day for Life in 2009 will be on the pastoral dimensions of this difficult and sensitive subject.

It will highlight why the Church believes that every life is worth living and look at the reasons why people contemplate suicide, including acute mental illness and the possible spiritual factors involved. It will also point towards the support that the professional services can bring and hopefully help to reduce the stigma too often associated with mental illness and depression.

Building upon last year’s focus on mental health, the bishops hope that this year’s day with its particular focus on suicide will help raise awareness of the vital role played by families and a supportive parish community in supporting and sustaining those who may be struggling to cope.

www.dayforlife.org

Day for Life in England and Wales – Sunday 26 July 2009

National Marriage Week

National Marriage Week is 7-14 February. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Commitment,” focusing on the way that many couples see marriage, and the need for society at large to continue to celebrate the stability that married families bring to society.

Bishop John Hine, Chair of the Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Marriage and Family Life, issued the following statement in advance of National Marriage Week:

"While recognising that the history of marriage is more complex than we sometimes think, there is no doubt that a supportive culture is enormously important for married couples. Among like-minded couples, there is an unspoken air of moral support which is invaluable in times of difficulty.

“This sort of implicit support is much less available to married couples today as fewer choose to declare their commitment to each other publicly in marriage. As a Church our response to this situation is not to denounce or criticise, but to work harder to provide the encouragement and the missing support so urgently needed. The recent report of the Good Childhood Inquiry identifies that the relationship, and particularly the communication between parents, is the most significant factor leading to good outcomes for their children. There are organisations within our church, such as Teams of Our Lady, Marriage Encounter and other similar groups, only too ready to help in these areas. I invite everyone to use the opportunity provided by National Marriage Week to publicise and recommend these organisations in our parishes, and get involved, wherever possible and appropriate, with this important work. The example and witness of a healthy marriage is a sign of joy and hope for us all.”

Catholic Church launches online spiritual resource for those affected by economic hardship

A spiritual internet resource has been launched to support people in England and Wales who are living with uncertainty and hardship.

The tailor-made portal offers visitors an mp3 meditation for download, a space for reflection, stories from people who have previously lived through difficult times, 'tips on how to get through' and a place to share burdens and offer thanks. An important part of the resource is the area devoted to prayer; this features an 'Uncertainty Prayer', a 'Prayer For Families', a 'Prayer To Our Guardian Angel' and encourages people to seek the intercession (help) of the patron saint of financial matters - St Matthew. The Apostle is the patron saint of accountants, bankers, bookkeepers, customs officers, financial officers, guards, money managers, Salerno, Italy, security forces, security guards, stock brokers and tax collectors. Whilst we all need money to live, we read in the Gospels that on meeting Jesus he abandoned a life unhealthily focussed on finance to pursue the lasting treasure found in the message and person of Christ.

Mgr Andrew Faley, Assistant General Secretary to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales said: "We wanted to put together a resource that would offer support, consolation and practical help to people in need at this time". A links page directs visitors to a number of Catholic organisations who are able offer practical help to those experiencing difficulty.

The resource is the work of the Catholic Enquiry Office which is run by the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation (CASE).

A member of the online creative team said: "If anyone is suffering at the moment for financial or other reasons, please do visit this new resource. One of the principal messages that we hope to share through this new online initiative is that there is always hope, however bleak your personal circumstances might currently be and that Jesus and His Church care deeply about you and your concerns."

The site can be found at www.life4seekers.co.uk/uncertainty