MY FAMILY, MY LOVE, MY LIFE…

Last year, during the Parish Pastoral Assembly, we realised that there was a need to form two important ministries – Parish Family Life Ministry (PFLM) and Parish Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Dialogue (PEIRD) in our parish.

So on 25 January 2018, a few married couples from our parish voluntarily came together to form the Parish Family Life Ministry. This ministry will be led by Michael Raj. The Parish Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Dialogue (PEIRD) will be formed by March/April 2018, under the supervision of Eleanor Bernard and Priscilla Gregory.

The Parish Family Life Ministry consists of Catholic Marriage Preparation Course (CMPC), Marriage Encounter (ME) and Evening for Couples (EfC – married couples below five years). The Parish Family Life Ministry will be launched officially on Sunday, 11 February 2018 during the 9.00am Mass, in conjunction with World Marriage Day and our Newly formed Parish Family Life Ministry will be organising some events and activities on that day. During the Mass – after the Profession of Faith – we will invite all married couples to come closer to the sanctuary to renew their marriage promises and commitment and a Marriage blessing will be given.

Immediately, after the 9am Mass, all the married couples will proceed to Dewan Monsignor Anthony Thomas (Church Hall). Our Parish Youth will prepare a few activities and a fellowship at the hall. We encourage all married couples to forward their wedding photographs to our parish email as soon as possible. The committee will compile them and present them in slide presentation on the day.

We strongly invite all couples – old and new - to attend this great occasion and fellowship. When we gather in the hall after the Mass, some couples will be called to give their marriage and family-life testimonies, so be prepared! The sharing will uplift and enlighten the other couples. World Marriage Day will be an opportunity to celebrate couples and promote, strengthen and uphold the gift of marriage as the lifelong union of two people.

World Marriage Day is always celebrated on the second Sunday of every February. The main reason of this celebration is to honour and respect the husband and wife, as they are foundation of the family. It is a wonderful time to show how much you love, care and value your spouse. When you come together for this celebration, surprise your spouse with flowers, gifts or cards and thank him or her for the love and sacrifice.

As this year marks the 110th anniversary of our parish’s establishment, all married couples celebrating either their 25th, 50th or even beyond their 50th year of marriage in 2018 will be surprised at the end of the year with an exciting event.

“FROM NOW ON, YOU ARE HER LOVE AND SHE IS YOUR BELOVED. SHE IS YOUR TODAY AND EVER AFTER,” (TOBIT 7:11).