Family Life Education at 1342 Lancaster Ave, Syracuse, NY 13210 US - Who are We?

Family is understood in its broadest sense:  Each of us is part of the family of God, each is part of the family of humankind, many are part of the family of the church and many live daily in the company of family.  It is important within our concept of family to be sensitive to the diversity of forms it takes - singles, married, parents, widowed, separated, divorced, single parents, youth, elderly, etc.

Our department recognizes the vital role of family life in the diocesan church and in the world, for if the parish is the cornerstone of the diocese, then the family is the foundation of the parish.  The rewards of a renewed family life and a developed sense of total family ministry are great, and seem fundamental to achieving one of the priorities established by the United States bishops-parish renewal.  If a parish is a family of families, it seems appropriate that it seek to strengthen the family unit as a basis for parish renewal.

Since our founding in 1957 our department has strived to provide parishes and other organizations with the resources, help, support and consultation necessary to enable them to nurture their families and to promote outstanding programs in family ministry.  We have carried out this work through a wide range of programs including marriage preparation and enrichment, natural family planning, speakers' bureau, support groups for the bereaved and separated/divorced and parish based family life ministry.