Specially hand decorated candles, each unique to the respective ministry

The Catholic Family Life and twelve of its affiliates and associates, together with representatives of family ministries from eight parishes were commissioned at a special mass held at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd on 4 February. 

This is the first Commissioning Mass organised by Catholic Family Life for Families Ministries. Shirley Lee, Executive Director for Catholic Family Life said, “Family life is the heart of all we do and it includes everyone at all life stages - from womb to tomb. We all want our families to flourish. This Mass is a celebration of this community of family builders where we are all working in God’s vineyard every day, building strong families together as one.”

The Mass, celebrated by His Eminence, Cardinal William Goh

Reiterating the Church’s stand that marriage is between a man and a woman joined in an intimate community of life and love, His Eminence reminded husbands and wives the importance of prioritising their love for each other in the sacrament of marriage. Husbands should prioritise their love for their wives over their careers/jobs. Wives are to prioritise their love for their husbands over that of their children. Once spousal love is a priority after their love for God, the children will naturally experience the love and security of the family, and ultimately the love of the Father. Inevitably, they will be inspired by the sacrament of marriage, through their parents.  

The congregation at the CFL-Families Ministries Commissioning Mass 

Kristen Tay, a presenter from Marriage Preparation Course was concerned when she heard his Eminence say, “If we don’t protect the family, the society will disintegrate”. Yet she was encouraged seeing so many different family ministries serving as one.

The highlight for the Mass was the commissioning of the Affiliates and Associates, Parish Family Ministries’ leaders. Specially hand decorated candles, unique to each ministry, were lighted and blessed by His Eminence.

Blessing of candles- by His Eminence Cardinal William Goh

The candles were then personally handed over to the respective representatives.

His Eminence handing the blessed candle to a representative couple from PIETA

Representatives holding the lighted and blessed candles

It was indeed a very meaningful moment during the Rite of Commissioning and Blessing where all were reminded about how together, each of us can be that light as we live our vocation in our family life.

Dominic Soh, representing Church of St Joseph (Bukit Timah) shared, “The Commissioning for Family Ministries emphasizes not only the importance of individual families but also the coming together of God’s family, a community of light that was most meaningfully captured with the presentation of the personalized candles to each of the Parishes.”

"It was so affirmative to see all family builders coming together... Indeed, our light must shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Heavenly Father!" said William and Shannen Koh, coordinators of Marriage Preparation Course.

Mary Loh, a catechist from Church of Immaculate Heart, was glad to have attended. “God bless the CFL team for organising this Mass. We look forward to working with CFL to build strong families at the parish.”

Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to build a family. Let us, as one Catholic Community build strong families together.