Holy Child Program, Bethlehem

Holy Family Sunday Focuses on Mission to Families

December 30, 2001

The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist offered special prayer for families today on the Feast of the Holy Family. Every center offers services to strengthen family life -- counseling, education, family liturgical experiences, family adventure programs, retreats or volunteer opportunities -- responding to the Church's mission to family life in varied ways.

The Family Life Center in Pocatello, Idaho, focuses particularly on the holistic development of families. On this feast of the Holy Family, the Sisters reflected on the Holy Father's plea in his message for the World Day of Peace, January 1, 2002: ". . . that in these troubled times, the whole human family find true and lasting peace born of the marriage of justice and mercy."

In the Holy Land, the Sisters operate the Holy Child Program for children who have been victims of trauma. The Bethlehem based program offers an alternate to education for those who can benefit from psychological help in their learning process. The Franciscan Sisters also work in the Holy Family Care Center in the Holy Land offering counseling services to families in need.