Sandakan Family Life studies Relatio Synodi document

SANDAKAN – The Sandakan Diocesan Family Life Commission for the new term of 2015-17 held its first meeting cum Study Session on the Relatio Synodi document at the Diocesan Retreat Center, Ulu Dusun Feb 6-7.

13 members coming from across the diocese attended the meeting. Bishop Julius Gitom, who is also the Spiritual Director for Family Life Commission, was present to guide them through the document.

In his introductory note, the prelate reminded that  the family, an essential cell of the society and the church, is one of the basic tenets of our faith from which everything flows. As ‘the place’ where faith is nurtured and transmitted, he called on the commission members to show the way by putting Christ in the center of their own  lives.

He highlighted during his homily at Mass the next day that the Relatio Synodi had opened the eyes of many to see the need to bring awareness of God’s presence in the family.

“The Relatio Synodi will be used for the 14th Ordinary General Assembly on the Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World scheduled on Oct 4-25 this year.  Today’s session will provide us the opportunity to focus on the family in the spirit of working together, sharing experiences and knowledge. By way of this, we are indeed participating in and be part of the forthcoming assembly,” said the prelate.

In concluding he encouraged the commission to walk with people, to accompany and encourage them to find ways in which families are able to find a home within the church. – DOSPO, Julita