Sundays must be a day of rest dedicated to God, family, pope says

POPE-AUDIENCE Jun-6-2012 (490 words) With photos. xxxi

A pilgrim from Angola waves his national flag during Pope Benedict XVI's general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican June 6. (CNS/Paul Haring)

By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The demands of work can't bully people out of needed time off, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Sunday must be a day of rest for everyone, so people can be free to be with their families and with God, the pope said.

"By defending Sunday, one defends human freedom," he said during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square June 6.

In his catechesis, the pope told an estimated 15,000 pilgrims and visitors about his trip June 1-3 to Milan for the seventh World Meeting of Families.

He thanked everyone who made the "unforgettable and wonderful event" possible and praised the willingness he witnessed of people striving to live a "Gospel of the family."

"Humanity has no future without the family," he said. Young people need to be born and raised in "that community of life and love that God himself wanted," that is, a family based on marriage between a man and woman, he said.

He reminded young people that they, too, have a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of the family, such as by saying "yes" to God's will, working hard in their studies, being generous to others, being active in the community and using their talents to better the world.

The pope said when he met government representatives in Milan, he reminded them of the importance of policies and laws that protect the family. The most essential is the right to life, "whose its deliberate suppression can never be allowed." The identity of the family, based on marriage between a man and a woman, needs recognition, too, the pope said.

During an evening vigil of testimonies, the pope answered the questions of five families from different countries because "I wanted to show the open dialogue that exists between families and the church, between the world and the church," he said.

He said he was quite taken by people's testimonies, which dealt with "hot-button issues" such as the difficulties families experience because of separation, divorce, the economic crisis and long hours on the job.

The pope said he wanted to come to the defense of free time, which is "threatened by a kind 'bullying' by the demands of work."

"Sunday is the day of the Lord and of man, a day which everyone must be able to be free -- free for the family and free for God."

Family, work, rest and celebration are gifts from God and important aspects of human life that must find a "harmonious balance" in order to build a more humane world, he said.

He said the World Meeting of Families was a way to send a message to the whole world that "it is possible and joyful, even if it takes work, to live love faithfully forever and be open to life" and that it's also possible for the whole family to take part in the mission of the church and help create a better world.

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Editor's Note: The text of the pope's audience remarks in English will be posted online at www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2012/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20120606_en.html.

The text of the pope's audience remarks in Spanish will be posted online at www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2012/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20120606_sp.html.

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Churches Pray for Victims of Child Abuse on 'Blue Sunday'

(Photo: Lisa Kae Photography)

By Michael Gryboski , Christian Post Reporter

April 28, 2012|3:20 pm

Churches across the country will be holding services dedicated to spreading awareness of the abuse and neglect of children in the United States.

Known as "Blue Sunday," the annual event taking place this Sunday will involve churches giving prayers for victims of child abuse, as well as prayers of support for those who rescue such children.

Felicia Mason-Edwards, director of Moving Families Forward, has 20 years of experience helping children and families in need and is a big promoter of the Blue Sunday event.

"The response has been overwhelmingly positive, we still have a lot to do to spread the word and to get people across the country involved in this initiative," said Mason-Edwards.

"People of all faiths can participate on many levels, through prayer and other means, establishing foster care/adoption ministries, sitting on boards, providing donations, getting involved in education and training on this important issue."

Mason-Edwards explained that the Blue Sunday observance began in Texas and has strong support in the state as around 5,000 Texas churches have participated in Blue Sunday.

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"I think this initiative is becoming more global and not just a Texas or U.S. issue, child abuse affects us all," said Mason-Edwards. "I think we all can create change and help. However people want to know what they can do to help and Blue Sunday offers them a first step on how to help – pray."

Keely Petty, pastor at Bethel International Christian Fellowship in San Antonio, Texas, told CP that her church of about 300-plus was participating in Blue Sunday over the sense of need to spread awareness.

"We know that the Bible is against any act of perversion and abuse among children, as it goes against principles of nurturing and care," said Petty.

"Our congregation feels compelled to raise awareness and provide prevention training by partnering with community-based organizations to help reduce the effects of harm."

Petty quoted Matthew 18:6, where Jesus said, "Whoever offends one of these little ones, it would be better that a millstone were hung around his neck, and that they be thrown into the depth of the sea."

"We are delighted to host Blue Sunday to show a united front within our community against these crimes against abused and neglected children, as well as let those who work with these children know they have the Church's support," said Petty.

Ron Corzine, founding pastor of Christian Fellowship Church, explained to CP how his church decided to get involved in the Blue Sunday initiative: "When we realized the faith community was not represented in the battle to stop child abuse."

"Once we discovered that state agencies welcomed our help we've never turned back," said Corzine.

Dell Braziel, Health Ministry leader for Bethel A.M.E. Church of San Antonio, told CP that her church has observed Blue Sunday for the past five years.

"We have prayed, passed out information, put information in our church bulletin, sent out email blasts, pinned on blue ribbons and have involved our youth in the awareness of child abuse and neglect," said Braziel.

"This year is different only because our experiences and exposure to nationwide catastrophic and devastating events in the life of children has brought about a sense of urgency for us to make a difference in the life of others."

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