PAGTINGIN | OPINION: ASIAN CONFERENCE ON THE FAMILY 2014: Reflections from a Lay Teacher

A meeting on Catholic families,

reviewed by a lay teacher,

in the hopes of seeing 
the beauty of the Church's advocacy for family life and stability

   MAPSA (Manila Ecclesiastical Province School Systems Association) conducted a Catechetical Conference on the 20^th Year of the Charter of the Rights of the Family –Challenges and Blessings for Asia. This Asian Conference on the Family was held at the Cardinal Sin Auditorium in Paco Catholic School last May 13 & 14, 2014 attended by Catechists, Religious Education Ministers, Chaplain and Campus Ministers, Youth Ministers & Coordinators, and Youth Leaders in Parishes and Schools. The objectives of this conference are as follows: First, to read the “signs of the times” in the 21^st Century Asian-Philippine Realities pinned between secularism and religious fundamentalism; Second, to present the Christian vision of the family and life as the great blessing of faith; and to identify challenges to the families in Asia and the Philippines in the framework of the 12 Articles of the Charter.

ASIAN CONFERENCE ON THE FAMILY - Held at the Cardinal Sin Auditorium of Paco Catholic School in Manila. The banner atop is the official logo of the conference.

   Archbishop Socrates Villegas presided the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist on the first day together with almost 20 bishops from different Asian countries. Archbishop Soc raised three questions in his homily: “Why am I here?”,” What am I looking for?” and “Where am I going?” Love of Christ in the form of obedience was also given emphasis on his homily.

THE CONFERENCE - Several representatives of both family movements/organizations and teachers of different Catholic schools attended the event on family matters and the Catholic Church. (Photography Acknowledgement: www.revistaecclesia.com)

   Keynote Address was delivered by Bishop Jean Laffitte, the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Family, after which was the Panel Discussion and the Video Presentation of “The Challenging Faces of the Asian Family”. Knowledgeable, vibrant and experienced resource persons gave a lot of inspiring and challenging insights to the catechists as “missionaries” of the 21^st Century.

   We cannot deny the fact that every family encounters challenges and difficulties. Too busy parents, little quality time spent with children, lack of communication among family members, broken families, poverty problems which may lead the youth to different vices, teenage pregnancies and the worst are suicidal attempts due to depression. So, as catechists, we have a big responsibility to lead the youth to the right path. Because youth today are uncomfortable with silence and reflection due to many activities and hurried lifestyle. Our high expectations to them may cause heartaches and pain. It is very important to genuinely listen to their stories and understand their emotions and pain. Be the first to show love, we have to enter in youth’s door, be compassionate to them, be a model to them and most importantly we need to evangelize them and serve as their spiritual guides who touch not only their minds but their hearts and their souls.

Photography Acknowledgement: www.revista ecclesia.com