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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

6A When You Face Difficulties and Problems

• What did you find helpful or interesting in this section of the film?
• What are some of the difficulties that families face today? What are the challenges of being a parent?
• Where do you find support when things are difficult? What advice would you give to parents who are struggling?

 

6B Failure and Forgiveness in the Family

• What did you find helpful or interesting in this section of the film?
• How do you move forward as a family when things go wrong or people make mistakes?
• How do you speak about failure and forgiveness with your children?
• Can you think of any bible stories about people who have overcome failure or been forgiven?

 

SOME KEY IDEAS FROM THE SESSION

Fr Stephen writes: “As a priest, I’ve worked with a lot of families over the years. I’ve seen so much joy and happiness in the families I’ve known, and I’ve also seen a lot of suffering. It’s not easy being a parent. There is a low-level tiredness and anxiety that afflicts many mums and dads, as they try to care for their children. And there can be moments of real crisis and pain.

What do you do when you face difficulties? It’s good to learn from the experience of others. If nothing else, it can help you to realise that you are not alone. And there may be something helpful here to give you encouragement and hope.”

Every family experiences a lot of stress and worry. Sometimes the daily difficulties seem to be overwhelming, and now and then a problem comes along that is really unexpected or really serious.

Difficulties certainly need to be dealt with. But they usually pass with time. You can spend your whole life as a parent trying to overcome obstacles and get your child to ‘the next stage’, and never actually appreciate the present moment or the person sitting in front of you.

Everyone makes mistakes – both parents and children. Everyone has to struggle with their own weaknesses. And in a family your weaknesses and failures become very exposed, and affect others very directly, especially when people are tired or stressed.

At the end of the day, it’s good to have a moment of quiet to thank God that you have been able to get through the day in one piece. You can say sorry to him for anything you have done wrong. And ask him to look after your family in a way that you can’t. It’s a huge consolation to know that you can find forgiveness and help from God. If you are a Catholic, why not try to go to confession every few weeks. This is not meant to be a burden, it is a way of letting go of your burdens and handing them over to God.