Workshop 2.

Looking at Christ: The Gospel of the Family

Introductions and preparation (10 minutes)

Welcome. Ensure that everyone has a name card or is wearing a name label.
Each member says a little bit about themselves, perhaps start with yourself: name, parish and why you
are interested in the synod. Keep introductions brief.
Introduce the topic of the Workshop and its context. Say: Last year, Pope Francis set up a Synod to
discuss the ways that the Catholic Church meets the challenges of modern family life. Following the first
meeting of the synod, a number of issues were identified, and the church is now asking us to provide
feedback on those to help to inform our bishops as they prepare for the next meeting, which will be in
October. In this Workshop were not able to cover all of the issues raised, but we will be focusing on one
aspect of them, which is the ways in which the church proclaims the Gospel of the family. Were going
to start our Workshop with a period of prayer and reflection, then spend a little over an hour discussing
these points and then drawing all our thoughts together at the end.
Explain that the bishops in England & Wales have encouraged us to pray and think about the issues,
and the questions they want us to consider that are most relevant to this part of the discussion are:
- What are your joys and hopes of marriage and family life today?
- How can we better understand marriage as a vocation?
- How does your family life enrich those around you? And
- In what way, through the abiding presence of God, is your family salt of the earth and light to the
world, and a place of and for handing on our faith?
Explain that these issues, will be considered carefully during the Workshop, and that we should begin
with a period of prayer and reflection.

Prayer and reflection (15 minutes)

Begin with the Our Father.

Suggested prayer (or lead with your own): Lord, we thank you for bringing us here together to discuss
ways in which our church supports and nourishes families in parish life, through the sacraments, and
through the support it provides through its programmes and initiatives. Help us to learn better how to
listen to each other more openly and more generously, and to grow in your love. And we ask the Holy
Spirit to help guide these discussions. Help us to share with openness, with honesty and with respect for
one another. And we ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Conclude with the Glory be.
You may wish to spend time reflecting on one or more of the readings provided by the bishops. These
can be found from the link on the ACTA website.

Main workshop (50 minutes)

1 Our vision of families (15 minutes)

Explain that the churchs vision of an ideal family is a marriage between one man and one woman,
nourished by the church through scripture and one that is both courageous and faithful, maturing over
years, and full of joy. Ask To what extent do you think that that is the reality on the ground? Why? Why
not?

Set up pairs. Ask Which of these principles do you share? [5 minutes]

- Marriage is for life
- Divorce is never permissible
And Which of these principles do you share? [5 minutes]
- The church should teach about the importance of marriage and should make it clear that that is
the best path for family life
- Our sex lives should always be open to the possibility of having children
Get feedback, and ask for any issues that have arisen and also any other issues about church teaching
relating to the family.

2 Faith and family lives (15 minutes)

Take a quick vote on which of the following the participants have experienced:
- Readings about the family at mass
- Sermons about family life
- Talks or workshops about family life
- Prayers at home
- Shared meal times
- Reading at home from the bible or other texts
- Family groups, prayer groups or group sharing
- Support from family and friends
- Holidays or days out together
- Retreats or study programmes
- Support for children through youth groups and activities
- Other [Ask]
Ask What are the main obstacles in setting aside time for these kinds of things?
Which of those have you found or do you think youd find most helpful? And least helpful?

3 Working to build family life (20 minutes)

Ask To what extent is the clergy equipped to deal with matters of marriage and family life?
What if anything should change?
How effective is the church in providing support for relationships:
- at an early stage, in building respect? [Pause]
- through marriage preparation? [Pause]
- in daily life? [Pause]
- in times of marriage difficulty? [Pause]
Discuss these next questions in pairs, then get feedback.
Ask What do you think the churchs priorities should be to be relevant, and reach out to modern
families?
When is it appropriate for married couples to help by sharing the joys that their marriage brings, and
good practice about how to overcome difficulties?
Set up pairs or small groups. Explain that the church has a dilemma. The growth in the number of single
parents, divorced, divorced and remarried people, and homosexual relationships challenges the
traditional view of family life.

Ask To what extent do you think the church is and should be welcoming to these groups, and to listen to
what they have to offer?
In what ways? Is there anything you would change?

Summarising and concluding (15 minutes)

Thank everyone. Ask for feedback on what was useful and not useful during the discussions. Ask if
there are any issues theyd particularly like to follow up.
Summarise (or ask the recorder to summarise) the main points that were made, and check that
everyone is happy with that.
Conclude with a prayer. The bishops of England and Wales have provided the prayer below, or use one
of your own.
O God, who were pleased to give us
the shining example of the Holy Family,
Grant that we may imitate them
in practising the virtues of family life
and in the bonds of charity,
and so, in the joy of your house,
delight one day in eternal rewards.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.