“ Evangelizing Families for Mission “ is the theme for Family Week 2024 in Diocese of Roseau. The week will run from June 16th to 22 and activities for the week will be at both parish and diocesan levels.
The week begins on Sunday 16th June , Fathers Day with Eucharistic Celebration in all churches and chapels . The occasion will be used to highlight the role of fathers in the family as the domestic church as well as to recognize the effort of men in stabilizing the family unit and encourage men to be more directly involved in the life of their family and the life of the church.
As part of the week different days will be designated for Family Prayer , Appreciation, Fun and Family Recreation .
A main highlight for the week will be a Panel Discussion in collaboration with UWI Global Dominica Campus on the topic” “ The Family in Contemporary Dominican Society: Opportunities and Challenges. This topic will be explored by a panel of 4 to include: Attorney Noelize Knight, Rosie and Rany Felix and Fr Herman Sharplis and will be moderated by Tim Durand.
In continuing its ministry to families , another main focus will be a Training of Trainers programme aimed at introduction of the Liturgy of the Domestic Church Life (LDCL) in the Diocese of Roseau. LDCL is a ministry directed at the family and was designed by Greg and Lisa Popcak of the United States of America. The programme seeks to renew Catholic Family Life by demonstrating how to use simple daily family practices to exercise priestly , prophetic and royal mission that was received at Baptism. LDCL is rooted in and nourished by eucharistic grace. Through this grace families even those experiencing difficulties can be transformed into domestic churches capable of sharing in the life and mission of the church.
The Family Life Commission in the Diocese of Roseau was established to improve the quality of family life by deepening awareness on teachings of the church on family issues . This it seeks to do by disseminating information on the teachings of the church on issues of family life and strengthening support programmes for families.
Currently the Commission is working with parishes in strengthening Family Life Units . These Units will organize and implement family life programmes and serve as support group for families.
Family life has been identified as a key priority for the Diocese of Roseau as it seeks to make the home the domestic church , a safer place for our children and other family members where love ,joy and care abound .