Life under COVID-19 by a 60 something!
March 26, 2020
Peace of mind and in our families: Is it a choice?
March 26, 2020
During these times of COVID-19 and the directive not to gather in numbers over ten, catechesis for those preparing for marriage using the Joy Filled Marriage (JFM) programme will continue online.
Santa Rosa, Arima; St Philip and St James, Chaguanas; St Joseph RC, St Joseph; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Fernando; Church of the Incarnation, Maloney; and St Anthony’s, Petit Valley are currently hosting the JFM programme with staggered starts in January, February and March. Approximately, 40 engaged couples are enrolled in the JFM programme across the Archdiocese.
The Joy Filled Marriage programme helps prepare engaged couples to embrace God’s plan for the Sacrament of Matrimony. It is a marriage preparation programme that covers not only the sacramentality and theology of marriage but also incorporates practical life skills to live out the rich Catholic vision of marriage.
There are two components: ‘Life Skills for Couples’ and ‘God’s Plan for Love’. The Archdiocese piloted this programme two years ago and began its roll out in January this year to replace the Evenings for the Engaged programme.
The Archdiocesan Family Life Commission convened an online meeting with JFM facilitators on March 21 to host an interactive, training session in the use of the Zoom online platform. Thirty-four couples (79 persons) from Arima, Chaguanas, Siparia, Pt Fortin, Diego Martin, Petit Valley, St Joseph, Maloney, Sangre Grande, Belmont, San Fernando, Princes Town, Erin among others participated in the session.
The couples prayed the rosary, and a medical doctor and nurse encouraged practical aspects of washing hands, avoid touching mouth, eyes and nose, social distancing and following other guidelines. There were also two psychologists involved in the session.
Prior to the March 21 training, facilitators from Santa Rosa, Arima used the Zoom online platform on March 19 for a session with their couples.
Further Zoom online training will occur as the AFLC continues to minister to couples preparing for marriage, provide marriage support, support for the separated, divorced and widowed, parenting, counselling and other family life services.
Couples planning to get married later in the year, please contact us for more information on how you can participate in online marriage preparation sessions.
During this time, the AFLC will continue to utilise online tools such as Zoom, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for prayer, teaching and other sessions.
If you are interested in being a part of the AFLC’s ministry, please contact us. Call 299-1047/672-4280
for more information or email: familylife@catholictt.org. Visit our social media—@familylifecommission and website: aflcrc.org.
