Remember when every Sunday was ‘Family Day’?

Sixteen years ago, on Feb. 18, 2008, my home province of Ontario had its first “Family Day.” This provincial holiday, set aside as a long weekend during the lengthy period between Christmas and Easter, was intended to allow families to have time off of work and school simply to have a day of rest, replenishment and, most importantly, a day dedicated to the “Family.” 

I remember a conversation with my mom during that time. She mentioned that my brothers and their families would be gathering at her house to celebrate this “new” holiday. She was pleased that this was happening, but she made the very accurate comment, “It’s nice to have a holiday, but we used to have ‘Family Day’ every week. It was called ‘Sunday.’”

It’s true. When I was younger, there was a very different vibe on Sundays. Sure, it was different because our family went to church, but even for those with no religious affiliation, Sunday was distinguishable from the rest of the week because it was a day, as Mom said, for rest and for family. Stores were closed. Banks were closed, as they are now, but there were no ATMs, and even television stations had limited broadcasts. 

Our family had Sunday dinners with extended family almost every week. Dad was a farmer, so there were livestock chores that needed to happen, but other “work” including our homework was completed as much as possible ahead of time so that we could enjoy our weekly “Family Day.”

Indeed, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Just as God ‘rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done,’ human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord’s Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social and religious lives” (CCC 2184). We are meant to rest to honour our God, and God also wants us to rest to replenish our souls as well as our family lives. 

In September 2007, Bishop Robert Barron (then “Father” Barron) gave a homily on the “Loss of a Sabbath Consciousness.” He reflected on the Sundays of his childhood when his father had to rush out on Saturday night to get gas for the car since he would not be able to fuel up on Sunday. He, too, recalled a time when the week centred around Sunday: a day of rest and a day spent with those closest to us. Barron states, “Now, Sundays seem an awful lot like any other day.” 

Bishop Barron goes on: “When we step away from our workaday world, when we worship the Lord, we become explicitly aware of the Lord’s presence … we know who we are.” We are children of God – members of God’s family – destined to live with God in eternity. Each week, we are given Sunday – the Sabbath – to recall and focus upon the reality of this identity. 

British Columbia added the Family Day holiday to its calendar in February 2013. Now, we too have a day set aside to pause from normalcy and to appreciate the people who walk alongside us in the journey of life. How wonderful that our secular governments appreciate the importance of the family – at least one day per year.

How even more wonderful that the third commandment and our Church remind us of the importance of the Sabbath each week! Sunday – the day of recalling that we are members of God’s family – is the perfect opportunity to veer away from the ruts and habits of work to focus on our relationships with the heavenly Father. The Sabbath is a weekly opportunity to worship, to slow down, to examine our consciences, to say some extra prayers, and to share a meal with family, or with friends who are like family.

Celebrate Family Day on Feb. 19 by giving thanks for the extra opportunity to break from routine and spend time with those you love. Furthermore, do not lose sight of the reality that every single week has a built-in “Family Day.” 

Sunday – the Sabbath – is a chance to spend time with God and with the members of our earthly family who accompany us, as we journey towards our heavenly home. 

Happy Family Day!

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