All too often we fall into the habit of using the word church to refer to a building or to an institution. In the Acts of the Apostles, however, we learn that the early church used this word to refer to communities of faith called together by God. Likewise, the Second Vatican Council spoke of the church as “the people of God.”

When we think of our own communities of faith, we need to look no further than our own families—our “domestic church.” This phrase reflects the Church’s high regard for the family as the primary place where the People of God are formed. The home is the first “school” in which the children of God learn the lessons of faith: belief, prayer, worship, and the importance of a life of charity and service. This great mission of the family is rooted in the mutual love and fidelity of the husband and the wife. Since the well-being of the family is so important to the well-being of society and the Church as a whole, it is crucial that both provide meaningful support for the family unit.