Caceres Family Ministry sets pastoral direction in recently held GA

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat

Themed "Together for Families: Rekindling the Mission", the Archdiocesan Family Ministry General Assembly gathered one hundred sixty-three family ministers last April 11, Saturday, at the Sts. Lois and Zélie Martin Auditorium of the Holy Rosary Major Seminary in Naga City.

Family Ministry Director, Fr. William Santiago, gave the plenary talk, emphasizing the need to strengthen the Ministry as it approaches its Silver Jubilee. Through the General Assembly, he launched their pastoral direction with focus on the following: accompaniment, formation, healing, and mission.

According to Santiago, the family is a domestic Church. It is where one experiences the faith first-hand through one's parents, the first catechists, and through one's home, where one could possibly have an encounter with God. 

Although many families today face many trials and difficulties, especially wounded families and families in irregular situations needing pastoral accompaniment, Santiago believes in the resilience of the Filipino family. He also underlined the call of the family to be modern-day missionaries.

Archdiocesan Coordinator Mr. Boboy Peña updated the participants on the outcome of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Family Life National Conference; while Ms. Julma Narvadez, facilitated the Conversations in the Spirit, a fundamental tool for the Pastoral Planning also done in the afternoon.

The gathering concluded with a eucharistic celebration and the commissioning of the ministers.