The family finds in the plan of God the Creator and Redeemer not only its identity, what it is, but also its mission, what it can and should do. The role that God calls the family to perform in history derives from what the family is…. Each family finds within itself a summons that cannot be ignored, and that specifies both its dignity and its responsibility: family, become what you are.

-St. Pope John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio #17


God wants your family to become fully what it was meant to be so that it may share in his mission of love to the world. How special is that?

But it's difficult to do that if we leave our family path to chance, constantly reacting to circumstances rather than having a plan and a direction in mind. The obvious direction is towards God's path-but what does that mean for us right here and now?

MISSION: FAMILY will help you answer that question by exploring your family's identity, vision, mission, and rule of life. Each of the six chapters includes a brief introduction to the topic; a few questions for reflection and discussion, with plenty of writing space for recording your insights and decisions; and a menu of family activities to get everyone in the family engaged and excited about your plan. Bonus features include activity sheets and charts, plus an appendix with tips for being an empowered parent.

As you set out the ideals your family will strive for, MISSION: FAMILY offers plenty of encouragement. In real-deal, messy family life, we know we may fall short of our goals-but as Catholics, we also know that it is not by our effort alone, but with the help of God and the Church, that we become more fully who we were meant to be.