The Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC), in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office and Youth Commission, facilitated a session for parents on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Holy Cross, Santa Cruz. The session was led by Lauren Marcano-Jackson, AFLC Parenting Facilitator, and welcomed 41 parents, including approximately ten fathers.
The session opened with a prayer and reflection on Psalm 139:14, inviting parents to recognise that they, too, are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” This served as a reminder that while parenting involves many responsibilities, parents must also recognise their own worth and the importance of caring for themselves.
The first activity encouraged participants to engage in honest and compassionate self-reflection. Parents were asked to complete the statement, “One thing I appreciate about myself is…” Although some initially hesitated, they gradually began writing their responses and even requested additional time to complete the exercise. A subsequent activity invited parents to assess their physical, social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs.
These exercises proved challenging for some participants, highlighting how easily parents can prioritise the needs of their families while overlooking their own. One parent candidly admitted, “Question one was hard.”
Participants were then divided into groups of eight for further discussion. It was encouraging to see at least one father represented in every group. The conversations were lively and engaging, with laughter heard throughout the room. Once again, the time allocated was insufficient to accommodate the depth of discussion, and feedback from each group demonstrated that everyone had something meaningful to contribute.
When invited to share what they were grateful for, many parents expressed appreciation for community, family and the opportunity to gather and learn from one another.
Feedback indicated that the session was both enjoyable and informative. While parents acknowledged that practising self-care can be difficult, they agreed that it is necessary.
The session served as a valuable reminder that caring for oneself is not separate from caring for one’s family. By recognising their own needs and embracing the support of their community, parents can be better equipped to nurture their families and build stronger, healthier homes.
