There are three steps to discovery of our Lenten Family Mission. Each step is intended to be completed as a family.
Every family is called by God with its specific chemistry, its specific character, and each carefully chosen member of the family. It has a unique mission and task to fulfill. The family does not exist for itself alone, but for each other and for others. We want to embark on discovering our mission as a family. No family makes up its own mission.
That is given by God. It is the job of the family to read out of the personalities in the family, out of its character as a family and out of the needs of the time its specific mission in the world.
#1 Invite each member of the family to answer the following questions:
What do you like most about your family?
What do you believe are your family’s strengths, gifts, and talents?
How would you characterize your family?
What are the gifts, strengths, and/or talents of each person in your family?
Do these strengths and gifts complement one another? If so, how?
Share: Each family member reads his/her list within his or her own family. Do you find any commonalities? Differences?
As a family — decide on the 5 most salient features of your family. Post your summary here if you would like.
Closing prayer: God, Father and author of life, You have chosen us for one another. You have chosen us with a specific task to fulfill. No other family in the world can take our place or fulfill our mission for us. Be with us.
#2 Review the summary from step #1. Each family member answers the following questions:
What do you think are the greatest problems facing the world today?
What are the world’s greatest needs?
What do you see as an answer to those needs?
Share: Each family member reads his/her list to your family. Do you find any commonalities? Differences?
As a family, decide on the 5 most urgent needs in the world today. Post below if you would like.
Closing prayer
#3 Determine Family Mission and Culture