In Paul Schratz’s March 12 column about contributing
factors toward poverty, he noted the growing number of couples who are
cohabiting or in a common-law relationship, or men or women who are single
parents. All of these situations call for our prayers as we recommend them to
God and to married saints in heaven. Single parents suffer deeply from the
heartache of having lost a partner to whom they had once given their heart in
deep affection. Now that relationship is over.
Schratz also referred to the fact that marriages within the Archdiocese of Vancouver have dropped by about 25 per cent within the last decade! He also referred to a U.S. study that advised marriage as one answer to poverty.
I suggest that some organization within the archdiocese sponsor a rally in support of traditional marriage and family life. Both of these gifts of God are under serious attack. Rallies are held for all kinds of causes. A traditional marriage and family rally would give high profile to both of these sacred vocations and send a public message that both are still highly esteemed and honoured.
Such a rally would be held in towns and cities throughout the Lower Mainland rather than in one central location. Banners would be carried, songs would be composed and sung for the occasion, and speeches would be given. Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, non-Christians, secularists and humanists, and all who believe in traditional marriage and family would be cordially invited to participate.
For decades Catholics have been praying at Sunday Masses for vocations to the priesthood, religious life and consecrated life, reverence for life and in some parishes a prayer for evangelization. Because marriage and family life are one of the five priorities of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, now is the time to introduce a prayer at Sunday Masses for marriage and family life. Without healthy marriages and families it is less likely there will be priests, sisters, brothers or evangelizers.
Fr. John Tritschler
St. Patrick’s Parish
Maple Ridge
