The joy of belonging to the family of God

Families are under a great amount of pressure today. We could compile a long list of reasons for this pressure but the fact is that our families face challenges of many types. As people of faith we have a special role of seeking to strengthen and support our families.
As part of our effort as the family of God in the Archdiocese of Mobile to strengthen families, every other year there is the One Faith, One Family Conference. This year the conference will be held Friday evening, March 17 and Saturday, March 18 at the Mobile Convention Center.
I urge everyone to attend. It is a family conference, so come with your entire family or come by yourself. Everyone is part of the family of God. There will be presentations by Dr. Matthew and Sarah Swafford. This husband and wife team is from Benedictine College in Kansas and are excellent presenters. 
In addition to presentations, there will be a break-out session for teenagers, a special program for elementary-age children and a nursery available on Saturday.
On Friday there will be food trucks in Cooper Riverside Park outside the Convention Center and tables will be set up for diners. If it’s nice weather, the tables will be outside, if not, they will be inside within the parking area of the building. It will be a nice way for the family to celebrate St. Patrick’s day. After supper, the presentation will begin and the evening will conclude with a brief time of adoration. The Saturday program will conclude with Vigil Mass at 4 p.m.
Families do not often take the time to be together, especially for an enriching program of faith. This is an opportunity to do so. This event is for the family of God, so anyone can come by themselves. Individual tickets are available. Family tickets are also available so bring your entire family and those you consider to be part of the family. 
Many people come to know about events like this family conference and decide that they are just too busy to attend.  I have witnessed at previous offerings of this family conference the joy of families experiencing a fun and spirit-filled event together.  I have heard from other families how much they appreciated the opportunity to experience a wonderful event like this together, as a family.  I have not heard anyone express regret over spending time with their family, or about spending time with their extended family, the people in the Archdiocese of Mobile.
We see so much division and strife around us.  Let us come together and experience the joy of belonging to the family of God and lift one another up by our very presence.