May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe… (John 17,21).

Sitting around the family table – talking, eating, sharing, laughing and crying – is a key part of family life. We share our food and we ask God to bless our food and our home. We share each other’s lives and aspirations and support each other in our burdens and worries. At the family table we can talk about anything, and we make decisions here together.

This is the place where we sometimes argue, and sometimes forgive, sometimes celebrate and sometimes just enjoy each other's company.

In all these experiences and customs, we understand more and more what a family is: to belong together, and to be there for each other no matter what the cost. Together we are stronger!

In every parish church, there is also a table – it is called the altar, where in the celebration of the Eucharist, we offer up ourselves to Christ as he gives himself to the Father. At Mass, we share our family union with Christ's own sacrificial love. In him, with him and through him, we are one family united in faith, hope and love. Christ carries us in his heart, and we carry him in our hearts and ask him to bless and protect the “miniature Church”, which is our home. 

What you can do as a family

Decide as a family to say grace before and after meals as a way of really thanking God for all his gifts to us. Families can say the traditional prayers or perhaps make up their own prayers of blessing and thanksgiving. The funny thing is, the food starts to taste better!