Family Life Apostolate gives update on activities conducted by the Program in the beginning of this year 2007.

During January this year, the Family Life Program had conducted two Natural Family Planning and Marriage Enrichment course which had participants from two religious congregations in the Diocese.

The first was conducted at Nagle House for 15 Presentation Sisters and the second at the MFIC Novitiate for the St. Clare Sisters.

"These courses will enable the sisters to assist in carrying out the work of family life and marriage enrichment in the various areas that they do their pastoral duties," said Bernard Silam, Diocesan Family Life Coordinator.

Sr. Francois Wridgway mfic, was the main facilitator of both courses, with assistance from Mr. Silam.

There was also a one-week field visit conducted to each parish in the Nuku Deanery, where Family Life Core groups were given assistance in re-organising their network structures and also collecting reports on each core group from meetings held.

During the trip to Nuku, a week's short course was held on Good Parenthood and the Ovulation Method for 50 participants, from Seim, Kafle and Warsai Parishes.

"I was also very happy and surprised to see how well organised the people were through the efforts of their Parish Priest, Fr. Joe Quentaip ofm," commented Mr. Silam.

He also identified various problems which needed to be addressed such as marriage breakdowns, teenage pregnancies, abortion, drug abuse (young adults/ youths) and family planning, to name a few.

However, despite all these, Mr. Silam reported that he was relieved with the turnout of the workshops which were attended by all, youths, married couples, the parish priests, and sisters in Nuku Deanery.

"This will assist more in expanding the work of family life in the deanery, now that they have been empowered to carryout the work in their respective areas during their pastoral work," added Mr. Silam.