Vicar for Family Life, Msgr Robert Llanos, has described the graduating class of Common Sense Parenting (CSP) Programme trainers as “heroes”.
Speaking at the Nov 26 ceremony at the Seminary of St John Vianney and the Ugandan Martyrs, Mt St Benedict, Msgr Llanos told the 50-odd graduates that they were “all heroes for planting the seed from which – with God’ grace – something good can come forth in the future.”
He said the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC) believes that the family is the cornerstone of the society and that the relationship between couples, and in turn their relationship with their children, is important. He added that Republic Bank’s ‘The Power to Make a Difference’ Programme was the other hero, providing the necessary financial support without which the CSP programme “would be far more difficult to accomplish”.
Nadia Williams, Republic Bank’s social investment officer, congratulated the AFLC and graduates, saying the bank was pleased and gratified to be a part of this initiative.
“Our hope, like the Commission, was and still is that through this module, we could help to build up family life by helping parents to promote good family values and develop simple social skills.”
CSP facilitator Sr Julie Marie Peters, SSM, said for most people, parenting skills don’t come naturally and have to be learnt. “We learn from our parents or grandparents, through observation and our own parenting experiences.” She said CSP gives people the skills to better parent their children and that “It’s never too late for adults to learn new skills.”
Sr Julie congratulated graduates for the “fantastic job” they have been done, running sessions in schools and centres across the country.
“Continue building on the participants’ strengths. People become empowered when you help them commit. No parent wants to be ineffective. Parents want to raise children who can contribute to society. Some feel powerless and sad when they’re not able to… Thank you for your commitment and dedication in transforming not only the lives of parents but family life. Thank you for sharing the vision.”
Parents Dwight Lyons and Carlton Smith gave testimonies of how CSP has improved how they parent their children. Lyons, who intends to become a trainer, said the most important skill he learnt was how to stay calm.
José Gomes and Gwyneth Frankson, who was the first to train 50 parents, reflected on being CSP trainers.
Krisson Joseph, son of Sedley ‘Penguin’ Joseph, provided the musical interludes at the ceremony.
At least 1,000 parents have been trained since the CSP programme was launched in July 2010.
Article appeared in Catholic News December 4, 2011
