In an effort to accomplish this the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC), part of the New Evangelisation Department (NED), has set out to encourage parishes to adopt the existing programmes prepared for these special groups according to the needs of the various parishes.

One of the first projects focussed on men: a weekend conference at Emmaus Centre, Arima in January with Fr William Jarema, organised by the Companions of the Transfigured Christ in conjunction with the NED.

There are also plans to prepare the parenting ministry to undertake a major parenting training programme throughout the five vicariates, as well as at two locations in Tobago. A manual is being prepared to assist in the training, and the programme will be launched in the near future.

The Commission also plans to step up its efforts for those preparing for marriage. In its Evenings for the Engaged component there are plans to revamp this programme in terms of its content. Once this revision is completed and approved by the respective parties, it will be signed off by the Commission.

As far as the Ministry to the Married is concerned, the Marriage Encounter programme would continue as well as their other existing programmes that run throughout the year. However, a new programme – Pathways in Marriage – launched last year, is now available and it is hoped that the programme can be run in all five vicariates and also in Tobago. The first phase was completed last November in the Suburban Vicariate and just last Wednesday in the Central Vicariate.

Hurting Families is another component of the AFLC, while the Retrouvaille programme, which has been running since June 1985, has actually helped more than 500 couples to renew their vows and gain a deeper understanding of God’s plan for matrimony.

The Ministry to Separated, Divorced & Widowed has been working for several years and is a programme which calls to those persons who have suffered loss in some way. They are encouraged to share in the New Beginnings retreat weekend held twice every year.