“Any harm done to the environment is harm done to humanity”
– Pope Francis
As the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland in August approaches, the Society of African Missions (SMA), have launched ‘THE FAMILY TREE PROGRAMME – Growing in love together’.
THE FAMILY TREE PROGRAMME offers families of every kind the chance to become stronger by working together through a 4-session reflection plan.
Families can participate: at home, in the classroom, in youth clubs or as community groups.
Using the metaphor of the tree, the programme explores the depth, growth, outreach and produce of the families one belongs to.
Families have roots and branches and by reflecting on the different parts of the tree, the programme aims to help various ‘families’ participating to strengthen their own bonds and roots. The programme also invites participants to ‘build’ their own family tree, as an arts and crafts project, while they work through the various sessions, which can then be entered into a competition.
Session 1 is entitled: OUR FAMILY: ROOTS
Participants are encouraged to look at the roots of the tree and reflect on why they matter. They then are encouraged to reflect on the roots of the family to which they belong and how we can work together to make us stronger.
Session 2 is entitled: OUR GROWING FAMILY: TRUNK
Participants are encouraged to reflect on how the trunk of a tree supports and protects the tree as it grows. They are then encouraged to reflect on ‘Who supports our family and helps it to grow stronger?’
Session 3 is entitled: OUT GLOBAL FAMILY: BRANCHES
Participants are encouraged to reflect on how the tree reaches out and grows through its branches; and how it gives shelter and space for animals, birds and all kinds of species to live. They are then encouraged to reflect on ‘How does our family reach out to those around us? How do we care for others far away?’
Session 4 is entitled: THE FAMILY OF CREATION: LEAVES AND FRUITS
Participants are encouraged to reflect on how a tree produces leaves and fruits to feed and provide for others. How it gives of itself to creation. They are then encouraged to reflect on ‘What does our family do to care for creation, to protect the earth? How do we make creation a better place for others?’
WHAT HAPPENS THEN?
Every family who completes and submits a ‘Family Tree’ will be invited to plant a ‘Laudato Tree’ to mark their participation in the programme, and will be invited to join the SMA at the World Meeting of Families and the visit of Pope Francis. They will also be invited to support Africa’s Great Green Wall, a transcontinental tree planting project in Africa, which aims to help families work together to care for the earth and provide food and shelter for each other.
Resources and tutorials will be available on the SMA website in the coming weeks: www. sma.ie/family-tree-programme/
For further information on how you and your ‘Family’ group might participate, please email the SMA Laity Coordinator, Dympna Mallon, at: [email protected]