The initiative was started when the former Coordinator Toni Rowland was requested by the Bishops to establish and promote the Family Desk in the SACBC. In our liturgical calendar in Year B from the 21st to the 27th the reading focus on family spirituality and marriage. So the marriage and Family Life Office will then promote ongoing formation marriage and family. Parish Priests are encouraged to preach more on family issues and the joys and challenges of our times in marriages. The one on Laudato Si last year, the office thought of bringing the Laudato Si in the life situations of families and marriages.
Laudato Si’ family week
Contact
information
Office/person in charge:Rev. Fr. Sakhi Mofokeng Coordinating Secretary
Address:
Department for Formation, Life and Apostolate of the Laity South African Bishops Conference 179 Main Street Waterkloof Pretoria 0001 South Africa
Email address:
smofokeng@sacbc.org.za
Website/social media:
What is it?
What is this initiative about?
How does it help?
In what way does this initiative enhance the formation of the laity?The initiative helps couples’ and families to understand more the will of God in relation to marriage and family spirituality.
Why is it important?
Why is this initiative important for the training and advancement of the laity in your country?It is important because it helps families and couples to reflect through the eyes of the Church where they are in life. It also helps to build strong and healthy families.
How did it start
How was this initiative developed?The initiative was started when the former Coordinator, Toni Rowland, was requested by the Bishops to establish and promote the Family Desk in the SACBC. In our liturgical calendar, in Year B, from the 21st to the 27th, the readings focus on family spirituality and marriage. So the Marriage and Family Life Office will then promote ongoing formation marriage and family. Parish Priests are encouraged to preach more on family issues and the joys and challenges of our times in marriages. The one, on Laudato Si, last year, the office thought of bringing the Laudato Si in the life situations of families and marriages.
Benefits
Does it benefit the laity on a national or local level?The initiative helps couples’ and families to understand more the will of God about marriage and family spirituality. The youth and the young adults are also formed through these initiatives for future life.
Means and funding
Who funds the initiative? What is needed to launch this initiative?If there is any project to be done for the following year, the office will hand in the budget to the finance office, as part of its request to receive necessary materials and to carry out workshops. The Bishops’ Lenten Appeal will assist the office with the funds it requires to carry out its project.
With the help of Parish Priests and Pastoral Councils, committed parish teams are needed to promote the initiative and carry out the activities which may be required.
Learn more
Where can people learn more about this initiative?The materials are printed in 10 languages (if needs to be translated). The priests and marriage and Family Teams every year of Year B, they are looking forward for materials produced and printed/sometimes the soft copy is sent to parishes so that they make their own printing.
Countries involved
Does this initiative exist in other countries?As far as we know, this initiative it’s present only in South Africa.
In some dioceses workshops on Gender Based Violence are conducted, some have started to do recycling. The Youth Office have produced a manual called #Youth Go-Clean.
How to start?
How can this initiative be implemented in other countries?The Bishop Conference, the diocese or the parish should set up the Marriage and family Life Office that would focus on Family Focus Ministry and make a proposal to dedicate some weeks of the ordinary time to different topics like the enviroment, evangelization, sport or public life, always from the family perspective.
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Laudato Si in the family enviroment
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