Family Reunion

by Joyce Rupp on Jul. 24, 2010

Leader

Gracious and loving God, we gather here today to celebrate our common bond and descendants of the (family name) family. As we do so, we remember all those men and women who have gone before us, leaving us the treasured memories of their lives. We recall how blessed we are to be a part of this journey of life. May our time together be a source of joy and hope for each one here.

All

We come with our own story of life. We bring with us our joys and sorrows, our trials and our successes. We come here knowing that the bond of history and of blood unites us. If there are differences that divide us, we pray that we will set them aside this day and welcome each one who is with us. We join in celebrating all the blessings which our ancestors have left us.

Leader

I invite you now to hold high any newborn infants or small children who were not with us the last time we met for a reunion. Let the other young children come to the front of our gathering (allow time for the gathering and holding up of the children).

Please repeat after me as you extend your hands toward these children:

God of life ... we behold those who will carry on our family ancestry. ... Gift them with a great love of life ... and a deep faith. ... May they know the blessings of our ancestors. ... May they appreciate what has been handed down to them. ... Thank you for these young treasures. ... Amen!

Blessed by the ties that bind us and blessed be our God for the may gifts given to us. We join now in thanking God for the food we are about to share.

All

Bless us, and these gifts of nourishment and of celebration, which we are about to receive. We thank you. Amen.

All join in singing to the tune of “Morning Has Broken.”

1. Now we are gathered
      at this reunion,
Let us remember
      how we are one.
We have been given
      the people around us,
Let us give thanks, then,
      for this great gift.

2. Soon we will share in
      the food at this table,
Soon we’ll be telling
      stories of old.
As we remember
      all that’s been given,
We can be thankful
      for all these gifts.

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“Family Reunion” out of the ordinary: prayers, poems, and reflections for every season, by Joyce Rupp Copyright 2000. Used by permission of Ave Maria Press. All rights reserved.

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This was wonderful! We just

Submitted by Joan Therese Bregy (not verified) on Jul. 24, 2010.

This was wonderful! We just celebrated my mother's 90th birthday and everyone, from the tiniest ones on up were able to attend. Your reflection will be passed on to all those whose lives were touched by this occasion. It was truly a time to put away differences and rejoice in the common bond we all share and to celebrate our roots. Ironically, the 'Morning has Broken' song from which you took the music for the 'reunion song' was the song we sang at my father's funeral. He was a man who loved nature, his solitude and time on the farm where he enjoyed both. He has passed those wonderful gifts onto us and we are grateful.
Thank you.

Thank you for such a

Submitted by Ann Tennison (not verified) on Jul. 25, 2010.

Thank you for such a beautiful sentiment.

DAUNTING FAMILY

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Jul. 26, 2010.

DAUNTING FAMILY REUNIONS....

Thank-you Sr. Joyce. I've been wondering how to approach/bring about my family-of-origin's mostly nonexistent family reunions.

This gave me lots of ideas on how to minister/communicate: celebrate family/yet not brush family wounds under the table.

Now I know some leading-edge Catholic ideas on what in the heck to do about such a family-of-origin enigma.

This was just lovely. In my

Submitted by 70ish (not verified) on Jul. 27, 2010.

This was just lovely. In my family, many if not most of the members have drifted away from the church for one reason or another, and overt spirituality embarrasses them. These are or were old school Catholics too.

My husband's Vat II family is just the opposite. And there are very many small children too.

To me it is just this sort of thing which can build up both family and church community: hospitality lived out is a wonderful experience for guests.

I am the matriarch of a

Submitted by pat KAnonymous (not verified) on Jul. 27, 2010.

I am the matriarch of a family of 32 (6 adult children, 1 deceased, 4 spouses, 13 grandchildren and 2 great-children that recently celebrated a family reunion and used this lovely ritual and blessings. It was received in a heartfelt way by everyone and I believe it is a very non-threatening way to embrace the family in prayer. Thank you Joyce for your wisdom.

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