For families
Nowhere is the love called self-sacrificial love more practiced than within family. The demands of the gospel are enacted on a daily basis in the relationship between parents and children: "when did I see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you drink, a stranger and welcome you, naked and clothe you, sick and visit you, in prison and come to see you?

On a daily basis is the answer given and yet Jesus, in the same gospel encourages his listeners to extend this love outward: "what father would give his son a stone when he asked for a fish?"

Family outreach or family service happens both within the family circle but reaches beyond that. What are the ways that a family can reach out to others? Caring for the neighbour directly; participating in fund raising campaigns; helping in community based projects; getting involved in local clubs; becoming aware of and participating in justice campaigns; recycling; sending Christmas cards to prisoners of conscience; putting the Trocaire box in a central place in the home etc.

What are the ways For parish communitiesin which you and your family have carried out the ministry of outreach to others? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - they may inspire others.

Ministering to families in need is a major responsibility of parish communities, a responsibility that is responded to in so many creative and uncelebrated ways on a daily basis. What are the needs that families in your community are experiencing? What responses are you making? Share your experience with us that we may share it with others.

Aisling O'Boyle made her first Communion last Easter. It was a day in which the bonds within the family were deepened. Ailsing's younger brother was very moved as he listened to his sister read during the ceremony.

Needless to say Aisling was given various gifts and envelopes that day. As a result she had to ask herself what to do with all the money she received. What she decided to do with a part of it was to donate it those in need. She sent €40 to Trócaire, asking that €30 be sent to Palestine and €10 be sent to the Sudan.

Aisling was thrilled when she got an unexpected letter from Justin Kilcullen, the director of Trócaire, thanking her for her gift and telling her how her money would be spent. He also sent her a certificate acknowledging her contribution. Aisling, who practices outreach to others is pictured here with her certificate from Trócaire.