Tasks of the Parish Family Cells

Tasks of the Parish Family Cells

The tasks need to be need based. The PFCs require prayer and discernment with the Parish Priest to identify the needs and their ability to respond to the pastoral and human needs of the families. The action plans can be three-fold in order to have an effective approach taking into consideration educational, preventive and therapeutic aspects of the pastoral planning to accompany families.

 1. Educational and Preventive Programmes

  • Marriage preparation (Remote, Proximate, Immediate and Post Marriage)
  • Liturgical preparation of couples getting married
  • Creative Natural Fertility Management
  • Pro-life issues and the Family
  • Helping in the pre-baptismal catechesis assisting the pastors
  • Family Enrichment Programmes for married couples
  • Sessions on Parenting Skills
  • Offering seminars or classes on topics such as child development, discipline techniques, and balancing family life with work and faith
  • Regular meetings for parents to share experiences and challenges, with resources and guidance on parenting from a faith perspective
  • Creating a group specifically for single parents to offer support and resources, focusing on the unique challenges they face
  • Organizing weekend retreats or one-day events focusing on renewing love, faith, and commitment in marriage
  • Retreats focused on strengthening the spiritual lives of families, helping them live out their faith more deeply
  • Organsing family fun and relaxation get-togethers in BECs and parishes
  • Celebration of wedding anniversaries (10, 25, 40, 50 etc.)
  • Retreat and encounter sessions for spouses
  • Financial literacy programmes by offering classes on budgeting, saving, debt management, and financial planning from a Christian perspective
  • Family stewardship education to teaching families about the importance of generosity, tithing, and using their resources to support others in need
  • Support for families in financial crisis by setting up a parish fund or program to help families facing financial hardship, offering advice or emergency assistance when necessary
  • Nutritional workshops by offering classes or cooking demonstrations on healthy eating and maintaining a balanced diet for families
  • Exercise and fitness programs to encourage families to be active by organizing community walks, family fitness challenges, or sports events
  • Communication skills training to help families enhance their communication, particularly in areas like listening, speaking with respect, and expressing needs and concerns in a loving manner
  • Care for elderly and the aged
  • Helping inter-faith marriages
  • Creating exposure to Family Movements like WWME, MFC, CFM, etc.
  • Family visits to pray with families 
  • Organsing awareness sessions on the consequences of substance abuse and alcoholism

2.  Therapeutic Programmes

  • Family Help Line
  • Crisis Counselling
  • Reconciliation of marriages and families
  • Rehabilitation of broken families
  • Rescue battered women
  • Family visits to have empathetic listening and caring
  • Conflict resolution workshops to teach families healthy ways to resolve conflicts and manage disagreements without violence or resentment
  • Grief support groups by offering a space for families grieving the loss of a loved one to connect with others who are going through similar experiences
  • Divorce recovery programs by providing support and resources for families dealing with the aftermath of divorce, focusing on healing, forgiveness, and co-parenting.
  • Addiction recovery support by creating a group for families affected by addiction, offering spiritual and practical support for those struggling with addiction and its impact on family life.
  • Family mediation services by offering conflict mediation for families experiencing tension, whether between parents and children, siblings, or extended family members
  • Family counseling referrals by providing families with access to professional counseling services, particularly those dealing with mental health issues, marital strife, or family conflict

3. Additional Roles and Programs for Parish Family Cells

These can supplement the above categories and further extend the support for families in a parish.

Fostering Family Unity:

  • Intergenerational programs: Creating opportunities for children, parents, and grandparents to spend time together and share stories, wisdom, and experiences, building family bonds across generation.

Community Outreach:

  • Outreach programs for families in need: Organizing efforts to assist families facing hardship, such as food drives, clothing donations, or back-to-school support.
  • Home visits: Parish family cells can offer practical help by visiting families at home to offer support, prayer, and assistance with household tasks, particularly for elderly or sick members.

Encouraging Volunteerism:

  • Service projects for families: Engaging families in parish or community service activities that encourage teamwork and compassion, such as helping the elderly, serving at food banks, or assisting in community clean-ups.
  • Volunteer opportunities: Encouraging families to serve together in the community, fostering a spirit of generosity and shared mission