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Family Life Ministry

MISSION STATEMENT

To ensure that families in the Parish receive pastoral care and attention with regard to their spiritual, formative and social needs.

GOALS

  • Promote understanding and respect for Catholic marriage and family life.
  • Foster awareness of what is a faith community.

OBJECTIVES

  • Bring together those committed to fostering Catholic family life.
  • Look at the needs of families in the Parish.
  • Organise formation programmes and services to achieve the goals.

A Day of Grace and Reflection at the Church of St Francis of Assisi

by Jean Lip

On an early Saturday morning at 6.45, a full busload of SIC parishioners headed towards Cheras to visit the beautiful Church of St Francis of Assisi (SFA). Rebuilt in 2018, it sits on a sprawling piece of land with the 14 stations of the Cross replicated as close as possible to actual scenes during Jesus’ time. We attended the 8 am Mass for pilgrims presided by the Parish Priest, Fr Paul Cheong, O.F.M. Capuchin i.e. The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. In his homily, he expounded on the eight habits of effective Christian living: daily prayer, daily bible reading, loving fellowship, loving service, Christian meditation, mindful living, and healthy lifestyle.

After Mass, we went out into the garden for the Way of the Cross. There were three crosses available, so many people had the opportunity to experience carrying the cross. The stations of the Cross had beautiful and quite life-like statues displayed. It was a very meaningful experience for many of us. After the Way of the Cross, a light breakfast was served. Refreshed, some of us took the opportunity to visit their Merchandise Store and bought some religious items. Soon after, we went to the Church where we were briefed on the history of the Church, how it was started by two Indian priests from India and was then called Church of Gethsemane. It had come a long way from its original humble small building. The Church can now house 3,000 parishioners, as mentioned by Fr Paul Cheong.

The Church within is adorned by many beautiful stained glass paintings. Some of them depicted the life of the SFA Patron Saint, St Francis of Assisi. To bring these paintings to life, we were taken on a tour of the paintings. St Francis had literally walked away from a life of comfort and wealth without a shred of clothing on his back to follow Christ, much to the dismay of his wealthy cloth merchant father. For his deep respect of all God’s creation, St Francis is known as the Patron Saint of animals, the environment, and ecology. Many also associate him with his quest for peace.

We were invited to pray and venerate the relics of five Saints – St Francis of Assisi, St John Paul II, St Rita of Cascia, St Padre Pio and St Mother Teresa. It was an amazing experience for me personally as I had never imagined that we would have the relics of these famous Saints on our home soil. We were also given an explanation on the differentiation between 1st class, 2nd class, and 3rd class relics. An interesting and uplifting ending indeed to our visit to SFA. As we were leaving the Church, we paid a visit to the cosy Portiuncula Adoration Chapel where the sacred relics are normally displayed.

After a group photography session at the front of the Church with an action shout-out of “We love SFA. Fire!”, this happy and satisfied group of pilgrims departed for lunch before heading back to SIC. SFA is definitely worth a visit, anytime! Grateful thanks for the superb organisational skills of the Family Life Ministry of St Ignatius Church, PJ, that made this enriching trip possible for all of us. God bless.

Celebrating the Seniors of SIC

In conjunction with the Fifth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, the Family Life Ministry of St Ignatius Church Petaling Jaya celebrated the seniors in their community at the 8:45am Mass on Sunday, 27th of July 2025. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Blessed are those who have not lost hope” (Sirach 14:2) which highlights the blessedness of the elderly and the hope found in trusting the Lord. It reminds us that grandparents and the elderly are a vital sign of hope and faith within the Church. This celebration also aligned with the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus and patron saints of grandparents and the elderly.

The different component groups under the Family Life Ministry umbrella animated the dedicated Mass with lectors and a cantor from the Family Life Ministry Singers group and Offertory couple from the Senior Citizens Group, while main FLM core team members were available to lend a hand. Sonie and Jack Gan who represented the Senior Citizens Group as offertory bearers shared, “We were so blessed. We felt joy, gratitude and appreciation for our faith and the unconditional love that God has bestowed upon us as elders to share in each of our families”. They hope to find the reason to be joyful in every situation, knowing God’s divine purpose is at work in their lives.

Sunday school students were roped in to help with the celebration as well. A primary school student and a secondary school teenager recited four of the six prayers for the Prayer of the Faithful, dedicated specifically for grandparents and the elderly in the parish. Fr Martin Then, assistant parish priest, who celebrated the Mass, gave a special blessing for all seniors present as well. As a gesture of appreciation, FLM organised plant saplings to be distributed to grandparents and the elderly after Mass at the church entrance. With the help of members of the Parents Group and Cancer Support Group a total of 300 plant saplings were given out.

Many were delighted with the array of different plants available for re-potting and lively conversations on plants and botany could be heard amongst the seniors. Advice and tips on gardening were also shared amidst laughter and camaraderie. The plants were also shared with those attending the Mandarin Mass later that day.  “I am very happy to have attended this special Mass and that the community remembered us, grandparents and the elderly. It makes me feel very appreciated.” shared Mrs Diana Gregory, a great-grandmother of two and a grandmother of 14, who attended the service with her daughter and grandsons. The plant saplings symbolise the gift of life and the hope that many grandparents and the elderly bring to this parish. This is especially seen in their witness of faith and perseverance to their grandchildren and the younger generations in the parish.

SIC Family Month 2025

COMPONENT GROUPS UNDER FLM

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (CSG)
A support group for those who are suffering from cancer or who have been through cancer. Sometimes it is hard to share feelings with friends or even with family members; it helps to be with those sharing a similar experience. Together, this group is a lifeline of moral support for each other. They make a difference in coping, especially with the treatments they have to undergo.

FLM SINGERS (FLMS)
Brought together by a love of music and singing, the FLM Singers were formed in April 2016. Today, it boasts of more than 40 members of diverse ages and backgrounds.

The FLM Singers’ objectives are:

  • Choir: 6:45 am English Mass (3rd Sunday of the month) and during Holy Hour (1st Thursday of the month)
  • Build friendships amongst parishioners, their families and friends.
  • Bring cheer to the needy and disadvantaged through performances at nursing homes, old folks’ homes, orphanages and hospitals.
  • Raise funds for Parish causes and selected charities.

MOVING ON SINGLE AGAIN (MOSA)
A support group for all who are in Single Again situations:

  • Divorced
  • Separated
  • Widowed
  • Single Parents

MOSA was formed to listen, inspire and emotionally support families to build their lives through these circumstances with the Church’s support. Formations, retreats and outings are activities that allow for members to come together to grow, heal and transcend in their season.

Individual guided silent retreats as well as group weekend retreats have been designed to discover where one is at and where God is leading them to.

MOSA is a message of hope that the Church continues to love, guide and accept them in all seasons and circumstances of their life. The Church welcomes and embraces you who seek the Lord in your journey.

PARENTS GROUP (PG)
Parents Group was formed to provide care and attention to the spiritual formation, human formation and social needs of SIC parents, especially those who meet during Sunday School hours (10.30 am to 12 noon).

Parents are able to:

  • Get to know one another and to network,
  • Strengthen their faith,
  • Participate in talks on pertinent family life issues.
  • Help and support to the Sunday School when required in organising its activities.
  • Be part of the Parents’ Craft Group where they pool their talents to learn and produce handmade crafts. Through their efforts of time and talent these parents provide support to various charitable causes within SIC and beyond.

PARENTS’ CRAFT GROUP (PCG)
PCS is a sub-group of the Parent’s Group under FLM and has been in existence for more than 10 years.

The objectives of the group are:

  • Offer craft sessions every Sunday when there is Sunday School from 10.30 am to 12 noon.
  • For interested parents whilst waiting for their children join in common enthusiasm and camaraderie to make different types of crafts taught by experienced craft teachers and members.
  • Items made are sold for Chinese New Year, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Christmas, annual FLM coffee morning fundraiser and selected SIC parish events.
  • All donations collected less costs go to selected charities and outreach trips organised by Family Life Ministry with Parents’ Group.
  • Unique craft items include – rosary holders, painted glass bottles, miniature gardens, hand painted t-shirts, decorated frames and more.

SENIOR CITIZENS’ GROUP (SCG)
SCG is open to parishioners of SIC agreed 50 years and above.

Aims of the group are to:

  • Renew acquaintances, make new friends and provide an opportunity for growth and self-
    development in various fields of interest.
  • Organise activities so as to minimise isolation and loneliness.
  • Foster spiritual and mental well-being.

Activities include:

  • Local excursions, pilgrimages and overseas trips.
  • Tea dances, karaoke and sing-along sessions, line dancing on Saturday mornings
  • High-tea
  • Outreach activities such as visits to orphanages and old folks’ homes.
  • Manning Church service counters.

FORMATION/ENRICHMENT

CATHOLIC MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE (CMPC)
The Catholic Marriage Preparation Course (CMPC) is a mandatory seven-week programme for couples intending to get married, where one or both individual(s) are Catholics. The purpose of the CMPC is to prepare couples for Catholic Marriage and the Vocation of Family Life and Love. Successful completion of the CMPC is mandatory for couples intending to be married in the church. Sessions are held once a week on Saturday/Sunday and typically there are 5 intakes organised in a year.

WORLDWIDE CATHOLIC MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER (ME)
ME is a weekend programme designed to help married couples to improve their marriage, grow closer to each other, and deepen their commitment to each other. The weekend is live-in from Friday evening to Sunday evening, over the course of which, attending couples are encouraged to communicate with one another with mutual respect, always based upon the essential principle of inviting God into their lives. ME is open to couples married five years and more as well as for priests and religious.