The theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive, also brought catechists and interested adults of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh together to discover new ideas on how to connect Eastern Christian Formation to family life. The Office of Religious Education (ORE) held its annual workshop Saturday Aug. 22 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Munhall, Pa.

Principal presenter Ann Koshute of the Eparchy of Passaic laid a foundation by engaging the participants in a media presentation focusing on God’s intention for marriage and family. She presented examples on how we might follow Christ more intentionally at home, in the workplace and in our communities. Ann reminded us that St. Pope John Paul II was a tireless supporter and defender of the family. Throughout his twenty-seven year pontificate he authored groundbreaking works such as Familiaris Consortis (“On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World,” 1981) and Evangelium Vitae (“The Gospel of Life,” 1995.) In her closing remarks Ann reminded us that we all have the capacity to love as God loves. Our present Holy Father, Pope Francis said it like this:

”The life of a family is filled with beautiful moments: rest, meals together, walks in the park or the countryside, visits to grandparents or to a sick person . . . But if love is missing, joy is missing, nothing is fun. Jesus always gives us that love: he is its endless source. In the sacrament he gives us his word and he gives us the bread of life, so that our joy may be complete.” — Pope Francis, October 23, 2013. Continue reading →