Dominican Friars
Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

Know Before You Go

The Perils & Joy of Family: A Reality Check on the Feast of the Holy Family

Know Before You Go

We often view the Holy Family through a lens of perfect peace and quiet Christmas joy. But is that the full story?

In this episode of Know Before You Go, Father Brendan Curran, Dominican Promoter for Justice and Peace, joins us from Chicago's West Side to explore the Feast of the Holy Family. He uncovers the gritty reality behind the Nativity: Mary and Joseph were refugees fleeing political terror to save their child.

This reflection moves beyond the "perfect" family image to address the real struggles families face today—from the dinner table arguments to the global crisis of displacement. Whether you are part of a traditional family, an adoptive family, or estranged from your relatives, the story of the Holy Family offers a model of sacrifice, resilience, and intentional love.

Discover how the flight to Egypt connects to modern struggles in Venezuela, Ukraine, and Cameroon, and find hope in the commitment to be "God with us" even in the hardest times.

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⏱️ Video Timeline:

  00:00 - Welcome from the Martin De Porres Community (Chicago)
  00:25 - Introduction to the Feast of the Holy Family
  01:03 - Sirach's Message: Respecting elders and family roles
  02:07 - The reality of family tension during the holidays
  03:25 - St. Paul to the Colossians: The bond of love over bitterness
  04:58 - The Dark Side of Christmas: The threat against the Child Jesus
  05:40 - The Flight to Egypt: The Holy Family as Refugees
  07:29 - Modern Parallels: Refugees in Venezuela, Congo, and Ukraine
  07:55 - A Story of Courage: Nuns sheltering families in Cameroon
  09:40 - Finding "Emmanuel" (God with us) in the struggle
  11:00 - A message for foster, adoptive, and non-biological families
  11:53 - Conclusion: Living the commitment of the Holy Family today

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#HolyFamily #Catholic #KnowBeforeYouGo #Refugees #FaithInAction #BiblicalReflection #ChristmasSeason #SocialJustice #DominicanFriars #Immigration #FamilyValues #Chicago #GospelOfMatthew

Dominican recording video

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