Every marriage strengthened, every parent encouraged, every engaged couple prepared for their vows, and every family supported through a difficult season is part of the mission of the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC). Through its varied initiatives, AFLC accompanies individuals and families at every stage of life. Its ministries include family accompaniment, marriage and parenting formation, preparation for engaged couples,…
When parents and educators gathered for the final session of ‘Shared Saturdays’ at St Monica’s Prep School, the conversation centred on a single, transformative idea: empathy is not simply something we feel—it is something we do, and something rooted deeply in our faith.‘Shared Saturdays’ is a space for parents and teachers to learn, play and pray together. There were four…
In the month of June, the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC), in partnership with Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM), hosted the VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children programme for RC primary schools within the Central Vicariate, equipping educators with essential knowledge and tools to safeguard children from sexual abuse.The sessions welcomed teachers and principals from 13 schools across the region: Brasso…
We almost always begin in the same place. We meet someone, something comes alive, and we are convinced—rightly—that we have fallen in love. The wedding is radiant; the vocation is named and embraced. But then the honeymoon ends, the suitcases are unpacked, and ordinary life resumes. Here, quietly, something different begins. The home we have just built turns out to…
On Thursday, June 25, I had the privilege of visiting Sensory Safari alongside the autistic adults from a respite camp being hosted by Bethesda – For Person with Disabilities. Going into the trip, I knew that Sensory Safari was a place designed to promote inclusion through fun, interactive, and sensory-friendly activities for people of all ages and abilities. Although I…
This reflection arose after participating in a Sip and Chat event the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC) conducted in collaboration with the Faith Formation (young adults ministry) at St Francis of Assisi Parish in Sangre Grande on Sunday, June 14. Everyone seated at my table conversed cordially, and I was completely unaware of the background surrounding the two speakers invited…
Fatherhood has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. What makes it even more meaningful is that my own father passed away when I was just one year old. While my older siblings had memories of him, I did not. For many years, that was difficult. I often wondered what it would have been like to experience…
Coming out of the Skills for Sacramental Marriage Building accompaniment session in March and April at Santa Rosa/Malabar and Couples for Christ and Tunpuna, St. Joseph, Curepe and Maloney parishes, online follow-up sessions continued on April 22, 29, May 6 and 13, married couples who participated shared meaningful reflections on their experience with the Emotional Release Skill (ERS), the response has…
On Thursday, May 7, a group of ten (10) parents, hosted by the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC) and facilitated by Fr. Matthew Ragbir, gathered again for a deeply moving session built around the book “When a Child Comes Out”, sharing stories, struggles, and the quiet courage it takes to love unconditionally. What unfolded was not simply a discussion —…
by Triston Gollop, AFLC’s Programme Coordinator On Saturday, March 21, the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC) gathered participants at the Belmont Pastoral Campus (BPC) for a comprehensive training session for new facilitators of the ‘Children Are A Gift’ programme. This is a faith-based initiative designed to help parents nurture their families through prayer, love, self-awareness, and discipleship. Initially, I attended…
