The Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC) continued its Doing Small Things with Great Love series on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, with a session exploring how families can love and cherish each other like Christ.
Facilitated by Tricia Syms, with contributions from Taye Coryatt and David Ramcharan, the session encouraged participants to recognise that holiness begins with the small, everyday choices families make to love, serve, and care for one another.
Tricia explored the family’s unique liturgy through its priestly mission of sacrificial love, prophetic mission expressed through family rituals, and royal mission demonstrated through service. Participants were reminded that every family has its own unique ways of living out its faith and that ordinary moments can become opportunities to grow closer to God and one another.
The session highlighted practical ways to strengthen family relationships, including prioritising intentional family time, expressing generous affection and affirmation, and responding to one another’s needs with patience and consistency. Simple activities, such as sharing meals, praying together, setting aside phones, and working as a team, can help families build meaningful connections.
Participants also explored the importance of guiding children with gentleness and understanding. Tricia introduced the concept of discipleship discipline, encouraging parents to see themselves not simply as enforcers of rules but as mentors who guide their children towards responsible choices and Christian living.
Using a temperature-scale approach, parents were encouraged to recognise when frustration or anger was rising and take time to calm themselves before responding to their children. This helps parents approach challenging situations with greater patience, clarity, and compassion. Discipline, therefore, becomes an opportunity to teach, guide, and strengthen relationships rather than simply punish unwanted behaviour.
The session resonated deeply with participants, particularly the reminder that families are not alone in their struggles. One participant shared, “I feel happy to know that I am not alone and there are others who struggle like myself. I am so happy to know that as a community there is hope for all of us.”
Others highlighted the value of the discussions, shared experiences, and practical ideas, acknowledging that every family has room to grow while recognising the importance of celebrating what they are already doing well.
Participants committed to being more attentive to their family life, embracing greater teamwork, and putting into practice the many ways their families can grow in holiness.
The AFLC invites families to join the next session, “How Can We Connect More Meaningfully to Our Faith and Each Other?”
Register at aflcrc.org and follow @familylifecommission on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
