Original Goal: All parishes will enhance or establish family ministries to respond to the diverse needs of families by Pentecost 2020.

Why this is essential for our future: Families are struggling with many pressures of modern life. Yet our Church teaches that families are a sign of God’s presence.  “The family is where we are formed as people. Every family is a brick in the building of society.” – Pope Francis

What We Accomplished: In partnership with the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers, many parishes participated in remote formation for equipping families to pass on the faith.  English and Spanish Language sessions were offered in the Fall of 2020 and Winter of 2021.  Parish training sessions in Strong Catholic Families/Strong Catholic Youth are ongoing.

New Goal: Parish teams will gather in regional sessions to plan strategies for enhancing or establishing family ministries (January 2022 to August 2022).   All parishes will enhance or establish family ministries to respond to the diverse needs of families by July 1, 2022.

To visit our Marriage and Family Life website, click here. For more information, contact Diane Kledzik, dmk@dosp.org or 727-344-1611.

Article March 2021: Celebrate the Year of the Family
Article March 2021: Tampa Families Welcome St. Joseph into their Homes
Article March 2021: Courageously Saying “Yes” to God
Article January 2021: Parish Offers New Health and Wellness Ministry for Families 
Article December 2020: Community Faith and Family are Celebrated Around the Fire
Article December 2020: Training Puts the Focus on Strengthening Families
Article June 2020: Family Ministry Grows at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish – Even in the Midst of a Pandemic
Article March 2020: Holy Family’s Example Inspires Other Families at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Homosassa
Video: The Office of Marriage and Family Life Partners with Parishes to Build Strong Catholic Families, Strong Catholic Youth
Article January 2020: Serving at Church is a Family Priority at Our Lady Queen of Parish, New Port Richey
Article September 2019: All Saints Parish in Clearwater Establishes Peer-Led Grief Counseling Ministry
Article September 2019: New Family Ministry at St. Stephen, Riverview, is a Success
Article December 2018: New Program Helps Families at Espiritu Santo, Safety Harbor