On June 1st, 2024, the members of the Diocesan Family Commission convened a meeting with the new Bishop for the first time at DPC Hall, Puneet Sadan, starting at 10:30 am. Brother Joji Velamarthy presented a brief report of the activities conducted by the Diocesan Family Commission during the previous year (2023-24), while Father Sachin D’souza presented the plan for the upcoming year. The plan for 2024-25 includes:

Conducting Marriage Preparation courses from September to March.

Hosting Marriage Enrichment programs in June and July for the various deaneries within our Diocese.

Implementing Training of Trainers (TOT) with the assistance of certified resource persons.

Establishing Family cells throughout the Diocese.

Introducing Moral Education initiatives in schools.

The Bishop expressed enthusiasm for the Family Commission’s plan for the upcoming year but also provided additional guidelines: 

Establishing teams at the deanery level to support the Family Commission.

Bringing experienced resource persons from outside the Diocese to initiate Family cells in all parishes within a period of 2 or 3 years.

Initiating Remote, Proximate, and Immediate Marriage Preparation courses.

Promoting the celebration of marriage jubilees and anniversaries in the parishes.

Promoting the celebration of grandparents’ and parents’ day in the parishes.

Identifying talented individuals with leadership qualities from the deaneries to assist the Family Commission.

Promoting the Missionary Families of Christ within the Diocese.

Forming a trained resource team to assist the Family Commission (TOT).

In conclusion, the Family Commission meeting was highly insightful. Key issues were successfully addressed, and valuable perspectives were shared. The collaborative spirit and open communication displayed by all participants were commendable.