BIS Mumbai
BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3200
FAMILIES ARE LIKE FUDGE – MOSTLY SWEET WITH A FEW NUTS
Leela Mathias
NORTHERN ARABIAN VICARIATE, OCTOBER 30, 2012 : On Sunday, 28 October 2012, the Family Cell of St. Therese in the Northern Arabian Vicariate organized a half-day 
renewal programme for married couples. Thirty two couples along with their children attended the program.
The day commenced with the parish priest situating the various sessions against the backdrop of the teaching of Christ on marriage. When questioned on divorce, Jesus turned the clock back to Genesis and reaffirmed that a husband and wife are no longer two but ONE flesh.
After a brief introduction, Fr. Joy conducted a session on ‘we are Different – yet One.’ The group viewed a video clip – a short family story which depicted the different characters in a joint family. They were so different from each other and yet they were bonded as ONE family. 
What kept them together was prayer. Fr. Joy emphasized that a family needs to be rooted in God to stay together.
Next, Fr. Blany Pinto took a session on Interpersonal Communication and listening skills. Participants were enlightened on different aspects of communication and the numerous barriers which lead to a breakdown in communication. Later, he highlighted the importance of Listening skills, while alluding to Christ who transformed people through his compassionate listening. He insisted that one needs to listen not just to the words but also to the feelings of the other in order to understand the other.
This was followed by a session on Anger Management. The resource person explained that there is always a ‘cause’ that leads to anger. Addressing the cause of the anger and dealing with it helps one to overcome frustration. The couples were then invited to share their experience of anger with each other and identify the causes. They were reminded to employ the communication and listening skills as they shared their experiences on anger.
No session is truly effective unless it is followed by a few lines of action. Mr. Sonu George encouraged the couples to prepare a personal and a family action statement with a view to strengthen the family bond and to help them grow spiritually.
The highlight of the day was the Holy Mass. During the offertory, the couples were invited to offer their personal and their family action plan to Jesus and invoke his blessings on the family. After the Holy Mass, the action plan was returned back to the couples as they received blessings from the main celebrant.
The parish priest concluded the day by reminding all present that : Family is like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.
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