Alexandria-Cornwall Diocese website introduction to Family Life Ministry (August 2007)

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all persons, and especially to those who are of the family of faith. Galatians 6:10

“This is an appropriate moment to underline the urgent need for pastoral intervention of churches to help sustain the family. It’s necessary to make an all-out effort so that pastoral needs of the family are in the forefront knowing with certitude that evangelization in the future depends in great measures on the church of the homes” (Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio of his Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Espicopate, Clery and Faith of the Church)

In its commitment to helping build strong marriages and families, the Diocese of Alexandria has established a Family Life Ministry. Father Gaétan Deschamps is the Coordinator of this Ministry that supports families in their efforts to build upon their own strengths as they experience various stages of life and growth development.

The Ministry maintains a constant reflection on pastoral research in this important sector of the Church’s support of couples and families of the Diocese. It divides its tasks into three categories, which are described as follows :

Families in Crisis

• Sustain various movements whose task is to assist people and groups to surmount their difficulties

Families in Formation and Young Families

• Coordinate various services of marriage preparation throughout the Diocese

Family Resources

• Sustain those responsible for family movements
• Assist mature people to become good grandparents