The Family Life Office promotes the concept of family perspective in church and society in all aspects of its ministry. A primary focus in implementing the family perspective is to raise awareness of family life issues. This is done by the use of the four elements:
- Christian Vision of Family
- Family as a Developing System
- Family Diversity
- Partnership of Family with Church and Society
“The family is the primary community where we discover what it means to be a human being and where our faith is first learned, experienced and tested. It is the place where deep interpersonal relationship are formed and lived out. It is the place where mutual respect, intimacy, fidelity, warmth, trust and understanding can be nurtured. It is the basis of stability for most people’s lives. It is the primary context wherein people develop their personalities, and form those moral and spiritual values which give shape and direction to their life’s journey.”
“That is why the Vatican Council spoke of the family as the ‘domestic church’, the church of the home, and why Pope John Paul II, in Familiaris Consortio stated that strengthening and developing pastoral care for the family must be a priority in today’s church.”
We Are God’s Priestly People
Howard J. Hubbard, Bishop of Albany
The Family Life Office provides workshops to parishes, clusters and deaneries for those who are interested in providing Family Perspective in their parish. Contact the Family Life Office at
