Maracas Valley Parish prays for community nurses
June 4, 2025
Family is first school of human values —priest at Mass for Family Week
June 4, 2025
“Informative in ways to take care of myself so I can take care of my children.” That sentiment echoed by one parent captured the heart of the Children Are Gift (CAG) parenting accompaniment initiative hosted by the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC) on Saturday, May 17. Held at St Francis of Assisi RC Church in Sangre Grande, the session welcomed parents from across the community to a day of connection, learning, and reflection.
Beginning at 8 a.m. with breakfast and mingling, the gathering was not just an information session but a chance to foster a sense of community among parents navigating similar journeys.
As expectations were shared, a theme of openness and curiosity emerged. One parent expressed, “Parenting is trial and error… here to see what there is to offer,” while another shared, “Curious really, no set formula to be a parent, here to be open.”
Parents in attendance represented a wide range of experiences, with their children spanning ages 5 to 25. The first part of the session encouraged self-reflection through the ‘Whole Person Windmill’, exploring emotional, physical, spiritual, intellectual, social aspects of the person, as well as values and virtues. This exercise highlighted a vital message: by taking care of themselves, parents are better equipped to care for their children.
A deeply engaging session on fathering from a son’s perspective, led by Taye Coryatt, AFLC Programme Officer, and Darendra Boodram, AFLC Programme Coordinator, sparked meaningful dialogue. Their personal stories invited honest reflections from the group and highlighted the significant role fathers play in shaping their children’s lives.
Perhaps the most impactful portion of the day was the interactive segment on ‘Discipline vs Punishment’. Moving to the church’s outdoor area, parents broke into two groups, creatively using clay to express their interpretations.
One group portrayed a father by a river with his children, while the other depicted how a child feels when punished versus when disciplined. Feedback following this session revealed how eye-opening it was, with one participant noting, “I struggle in this area but being able to understand the difference [between discipline and punishment] helped me.”
The day concluded with an overview of other AFLC offerings, like Sacramental Marriage Building and Surviving Divorce, and a call to form a supportive parish-based network for ongoing accompaniment.
Parents expressed excitement for the follow-up online sessions covering developmental stages, signalling the start of a new chapter in their parenting journeys.
As one participant put it, “Thought provoking… session was well prepared and easy to work with.” For many, the event was more than just a workshop: it was a meaningful step toward becoming more mindful, connected, and empowered parents.
For more information on parenting, marriage, surviving divorce and other family accompaniment initiatives offered by the AFLC contact us at
aflc.pc@catholictt.org or WhatsApp 299-1047/372-0478.
