The family is considered as the vital cell of society. The attitudes and background of a family is determinant to what a society is. The parish as an agent of moral integrity of a particular community is expected to conduct activities to ascertain the wellbeing of the families in the parish. The program of the church that administers to this concern is the Family and Life Apostolate.
Our invited speaker gave us an orientation about the Family and Life Apostolate Program basically implemented in the Archdiocese of Cebu. As what has been presented, the FLA is not a new organization in the Church, rather it is an evangelization program and pastoral formation of families. This is a very good response of the Church to the deteriorating values of the Filipino families. The Church has always hoped in the family as to be considered the Church in the home. The FLA is an agent of formation for the family. For this reason it has its variety of programs for formation in the diocesan level and especially in the parish level. The FLA program as presented to us by our invited speaker is very much useful for the families. But the problem is on the implementation.
How is it being implemented? How is it received by the parishioners? Are the programs effective? The answers to these questions would redound to the discovery of some challenging situations in this ministry. With regards to the manpower, there are only few lay persons who volunteer themselves to the task of executing the different programs of the FLA. But as of the moment we could still find dedicated lay people who commit themselves to this kind of work. It is encouraging to see these people and listen to their experiences. Even from our speaker at that time, I can see the hope for the Church that enthusiastic lay workers are still there to keep the Church moving in this aspect of family programs. I don’t believe that the declining financial situation would be the primary reason why there is lack of volunteers. Many of the active lay workers are poor yet they remain committed. What I see as the important element is the support of the parish priest. This is what our speakers desire and I agree that it is legitimate. Without the backing of the parish priest no ministry or movement in the Church would succeed particularly in the parish level.
The manner in which a program is implemented also matters. The strategies need to be evaluated not only by the implementors but also by the recipients of the program. Some of the modules are not changed to fit the needs of the participants and to catch their interest and attention. With the rapid pace of development, I think the strategies of the FLA should also be improved. Just for example the Pre-Cana Seminar needs to be improved to suit the participants who are most of the time at their youthful years. These people have been exposed to the current development in technology. For this reason, it would be so boring for them to attend a seminar handled by old people using old strategies. I don’t mean to offend the senior members of the staff. But my point is that no matter how old the facilitators are, they need constant and periodic updating.
There are really a lot of possible activities that could be initiated by the FLA to promote family values. The enrichment of the couple itself can have already a great impact in the family. Looking forward to the future ministry in the parish, I wish that I will never forget the high value of the Family and Life Apostolate. This should not be neglected, because the family like the seminary could be considered as the seedbed of the well-meaning citizens of the society and faithful members of the Church.
Another thing that I also observed of the FLA more particularly in our parish, is that its activities are always the same year after year. Why not invent or plan innovative activities? Having new activities would somehow attract more participants.
I have also perceived a need for the FLA to regularly link-up or coordinate with other ministries within the Church. For example, conducting a family day in the parish level requires active participation of the people from other ministries and apostolate. Saving the families from danger is not only a responsibility of the FLA but also by all in the Church. The role of the FLA must also be shared by other ministries and movements taking into consideration that everyone of us belongs to a family.
Our invited speaker gave us an orientation about the Family and Life Apostolate Program basically implemented in the Archdiocese of Cebu. As what has been presented, the FLA is not a new organization in the Church, rather it is an evangelization program and pastoral formation of families. This is a very good response of the Church to the deteriorating values of the Filipino families. The Church has always hoped in the family as to be considered the Church in the home. The FLA is an agent of formation for the family. For this reason it has its variety of programs for formation in the diocesan level and especially in the parish level. The FLA program as presented to us by our invited speaker is very much useful for the families. But the problem is on the implementation.
How is it being implemented? How is it received by the parishioners? Are the programs effective? The answers to these questions would redound to the discovery of some challenging situations in this ministry. With regards to the manpower, there are only few lay persons who volunteer themselves to the task of executing the different programs of the FLA. But as of the moment we could still find dedicated lay people who commit themselves to this kind of work. It is encouraging to see these people and listen to their experiences. Even from our speaker at that time, I can see the hope for the Church that enthusiastic lay workers are still there to keep the Church moving in this aspect of family programs. I don’t believe that the declining financial situation would be the primary reason why there is lack of volunteers. Many of the active lay workers are poor yet they remain committed. What I see as the important element is the support of the parish priest. This is what our speakers desire and I agree that it is legitimate. Without the backing of the parish priest no ministry or movement in the Church would succeed particularly in the parish level.
The manner in which a program is implemented also matters. The strategies need to be evaluated not only by the implementors but also by the recipients of the program. Some of the modules are not changed to fit the needs of the participants and to catch their interest and attention. With the rapid pace of development, I think the strategies of the FLA should also be improved. Just for example the Pre-Cana Seminar needs to be improved to suit the participants who are most of the time at their youthful years. These people have been exposed to the current development in technology. For this reason, it would be so boring for them to attend a seminar handled by old people using old strategies. I don’t mean to offend the senior members of the staff. But my point is that no matter how old the facilitators are, they need constant and periodic updating.
There are really a lot of possible activities that could be initiated by the FLA to promote family values. The enrichment of the couple itself can have already a great impact in the family. Looking forward to the future ministry in the parish, I wish that I will never forget the high value of the Family and Life Apostolate. This should not be neglected, because the family like the seminary could be considered as the seedbed of the well-meaning citizens of the society and faithful members of the Church.
Another thing that I also observed of the FLA more particularly in our parish, is that its activities are always the same year after year. Why not invent or plan innovative activities? Having new activities would somehow attract more participants.
I have also perceived a need for the FLA to regularly link-up or coordinate with other ministries within the Church. For example, conducting a family day in the parish level requires active participation of the people from other ministries and apostolate. Saving the families from danger is not only a responsibility of the FLA but also by all in the Church. The role of the FLA must also be shared by other ministries and movements taking into consideration that everyone of us belongs to a family.
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