Blessing Fest: Family Health & Societal Health (WFWPI UN NY)
Written by: Mako Mori
The WFWPI Office for UN Relations in New York hosted a WFWPI Blessing Fest Watch Party on Sunday, December 19. The virtual event was joined by 18 WFWPI friends and colleagues from around the world, from countries such as Venezuela, Nicaragua, Chile, Austria and the U.S!
The Blessing Fest event is especially unique because it highlights the core heart of the WFWPI Founders’ work in striving for sustainable peace: healthy marriages and families as the cornerstone to creating a prospering society, nation and world.
The program featured Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, co-founder of Women’s Federation for World Peace, who spoke about sharing the blessings you have because “the more you share it, the greater it becomes.” The program was filled with touching stories of marriages rooted in the culture of peace as well as talented entertainment. The program was followed by a dynamic discussion where participants were encouraged to share their thoughts and different perspectives on how family health is linked to societal health.
Mr. Moffitt, who is married and a father of three children, emphasized the importance of “growing yourself for the sake of the other person.” Throughout the couples who were interviewed for this program, this notion of “living for the sake of the other” was a common theme. With this mentality that is public-minded, a world of peace can more naturally come about.
“We need people who think beyond for their community, not just what’s best for themselves,” another speaker had shared during the program. A different speaker shared “That is the key to building a world of peace, when you can see your neighbor as your brother or sister.” This was moving to hear as we could all agree that the reason we hurt one another is that we do not share that same heart we have for our loved ones, with people who are strangers.
In the reflection and discussion portion, the first question was, “What do you think it takes to make a marriage last?” Ms. Lilly Gundacker from Austria, answered that you have to “make the commitment that you want to make it last.”
Ms. M.G Tomasini from Venezuela, shared how the value placed on marriage reflects the effort we put into it: “We input value into marriage because it is difficult. If it was easy, it wouldn’t have any value.” Ms. Ramona from Nicaragua shared some wisdom saying that in her marriage, “Every day I pray not to be understood, but to understand others.”
The next question was: “how can we extend these qualities needed to make a marriage last, to create a more peaceful society, nation and world?”
Ms. Grace Kellett spoke about the link between healthy families and stable society: “In my own experience working with WFWP, I’ve been able to explore more of the practical connection between having a strong stable family, where real love is present, and how that allows for stability within the community. If you feel safe in your family, you are able to relate more to your community in a giving way.”
For the final question, “Do you think healthy families contribute to societal health?” Ms. Merly Barlaan, CAO and Deputy Director of the WFWPI Office for UN Relations in New York, raised the goals of the United Nations, which are world peace, security and poverty eradication. Ms. Barlaan shared how the solution to these issues really “starts in our own homes” and there is a need for us to be proactive and confident in the fact that we can build these strong families and inspire others to do so as well.
Mrs. Barlaan closed by saying “as we reflect on the words of our co-founder, we really need each other’s hands and to support each other because our responsibilities are too big to walk alone.” With this uplifting atmosphere of solidarity, the participants thanked everyone and felt greater motivation going into the New Year, with the goal to build a sustainable world of peace.
