FAMILY APOSTOLATE

The ministry of Family Apostolate is aimed at giving orientation to the families to lead a true Christian life. Family is the basic unit of a society. The diocese duly recognised the need for guiding the parents to have good families in the society. Thus this department was functioning with various creative programmes from the beginning of the diocese itself. Rev. Fr. Zacharias Kottayil was the first director of this apostolate. As the first step, Mathrusangam, a coming together of mothers was organised in almost all the parishes. "Learn, pray and shine", which is the slogan of Mathrusangam reveals the aim and objective of this coming together. In the course of time, the specific objectives, activities and the mode of functioning were compiled and this association came to be known as "Mathrujyothis" and the association of fathers as "Pithrujyothis". An emblem and flag were introduced as part of structuring the associations more in a professional and well-organised manner.

The family apostolate of the diocese has been taking marvellous efforts to educate the society very particularly our families against the evils of drug addiction, abortion and artificial family planning etc... The official teachings of the Church are being taught in the simplest way and they are made a topic for discussion in the meetings of both these associations. Premarital education, known as Marriage Preparation Courses are efficaciously conducted by the family apostolate. The course completion certificate is a prerequisite for marriage in the diocese.

The family apostolate functions at the basic unit level, namely in each parish, regional level and at the central level.

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