Author: Cathy Loh, Diocese of Palm Beach Director, Office of Marriage, Family Life, Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
More than 100 years have passed since the final apparition of Our Lady to the three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. As later revealed by Lucia, the only seer of the three to live beyond childhood, she was told that the “final battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be about Marriage and Family” (Letter to Cardinal Caffarra, founder of the Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family). As we look around us at the state of the family, we can see how prophetic that message is. In the United States today, 40.5% of babies are born out of wedlock (WorldPopulationReview.com). About 43% of U.S. marriages end in divorce (Forbes.com/ Advisor). By 2020, 33% of U.S. children were living in fatherless homes, up 25% since 1960. Unfortunately, the repercussions of absent fathers are devastating: 85% of children with absent fathers get involved in crime; 70% of children in fatherless homes have dropped out of high school; and children who live in fatherless homes are 4 times more likely to live in poverty (increditools.com/fatherless-homes-statistics/). Further, the U.S. birthrate has fallen to 1.6 births per woman, well below the population replacement rate (GovFacts.org).*
This is not the orderly plan God set in motion as evidenced by the Creation story. In Genesis 1, we read that first God separated the light from the darkness and then created the spaces, heaven, the land, the seas, and then he filled them, everything in order. Finally, He made man, male and female, and blessed them and commanded them to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. God created order, yet families have fallen out of order into chaos. Many families have become wounded and are suffering because they are not living in accord with God’s plan for human flourishing.
God created us to be happy, to be “in friendship with [our] Creator and in harmony with [ourselves] and with creation around [us]…” (CCC 374). However, ever since that first temptation to distrust God when Adam and Eve decided to pursue their own path, Original Sin entered the world, and that original harmony was destroyed. Ever since, man has been tempted to seek fulfillment and happiness on his own terms, often without regard to the Creator. That path always leads to heartache. In Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Chapter 1, verse 21, we are warned that “although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened.” Unfortunately, even those of us who do seek to honor God and give Him thanks are subject to the effects of Original Sin including a weakness of nature and an inclination to sin, concupiscence. The battle rages on, but there is always hope, and there is no victory without the cross.
During the Jubilee Year of Hope, let us remember that Jesus is the reason for our hope, and hope never disappoints. As we begin the new liturgical year with the season of Advent, we can make an act of hope by taking some time to assess our faith life and that of our family with the goal of positive change. Regardless of what our family looks like, how solid we are, or if we are broken and suffering, there is always a path forward. There is always a way to strengthen our faith and grow closer to Jesus Christ, so we can flourish as God intended. He gave us a roadmap, a divine order, starting with love God and then love your neighbor (Mark 12:30-31). No matter our state in life, we are called to first love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Everything else follows. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” (Ephesians 5:25). “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1). Be respectful of governing authorities (Ephesians 6:1). The path may be clear, but it is not always easy.
Thankfully, in His love and mercy, God gave us a way to return to right order. When we stumble and fall short, we can turn to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and restore our relationship with the Lord and each other. Receiving the Eucharist then gives us the grace and strength to persevere on the right path.
Here at the beginning of the new liturgical year, let us take the time to consider some new faith and family resolutions or prepare our resolutions for the approaching new calendar year. Even though the Jubilee Year of Hope concludes on January 6, 2026, let us remember that Jesus is our hope, and He is with us “always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
What does the Bible say?
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God.” Psalm 19:2a
“All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God….” Wisdom 13:1a
“…but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.…” 1 Peter 3:15
What does the Church say?
“Yet the grace of Baptism delivers no one from all the weakness of nature. On the contrary, we must still combat the movements of concupiscence that never cease leading us into evil.” CCC 978
*Note: All statistical sources accessed 11/6/2025.