Family Units East Region - Click Family Units West Region - Click
“Parish Family Units” were formed in response to a felt need in the area. The primary intent was to bring together the parish families and give them the opportunity to pray together once every month. 20 to 30 families gathered together in one of their homes once a month, at the time of the family prayer in the evening. They read the scriptures, sang hymns and prayed together; the group shared the parish news and discussed ways of reaching out to one another in case of needs. Each unit had its own leadership who organized the meetings and monitored other activities. The parish priest or someone designated by him acted as a facilitator or animator at the gatherings. Our parishioners enjoyed every gathering because of the opportunities of togetherness and renewal they provided. In the span of the last twelve months our parish family units have grown beyond the limits of the GTA.
The Meetings
Every month the unit members come together in one of their family homes. The meeting would begin with prayer and a welcome by the head of the family. The chairperson and the co-ordinators will present the minutes from the previous meeting and set a tone and direction for the day’s deliberations. Then, there will be the solemn enthronement of the Holy Bible, reading from it, silent reflection, sharing and prayer by individuals. Singing of chants is an important element of that prayer session. Usually the priest or the facilitator will conclude that session with a brief reflection and prayer. The general session that follows will focus on events in the families like birthdays, achievements etc. General discussions about the parish events and some cultural performances by the children are integral to this general session. Some units include Bible quizzes both for adults and children. A cup of tea or coffee with light refreshments will be a part of the evening.
