MARFAM – Marriage and Family Renewal Ministry has been in existence since 1994.   Originally the focus was exlusively on the human family, on marriage and all areas of family life and on family life education and enrichment. Church documents over the years have been at the heart of the ministry in its work of producing publications and formation for Parish Family Ministry.   Since  2016 and the publication of Laudato Si, by Pope Francis a broader focus on  Our World as a Family of Families has come to the fore.

Considering that every person belongs to a family and that 99+% of the Church consists of laity living in family relationships of various kinds in the world and in line with the 2019 SACBC Pastoral Plan, EVANGELISING COMMUNITY, SERVING GOD, HUMANITY AND ALL CREATION,  MARFAM’s focus concerns OUR WORLD, A FAMILY OF FAMILIES.   With the task of evangelisation the human family clearly has a unique and also the greatest role in God’s plan, caring for all of creation.  The 1994 African Synod chose the image of the Church as the Family of God and the 2nd Vatican Council spoke of the human family as the domestic church.  Pope Francis in Laudato Si  clearly portrayed his vision of the Family of Creation, presenting the images of St Francis of the relatedness of all of creation.  “Everything is connected.”   .

MARFAM’s vision and mission can be expressed in this way:

  • To invite a greater focus on all of creation as a world of families.
  • To greater awareness of the needs of the family as the domestic church for its own relationships and its care for creation.
  • Incorporating the “cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” in the spirituality of family life.
  • To source and provide suitable resource material for family strengthening, enrichment and promotion of the spirituality of marriage and family relationships and daily life.
  • To develop and distribute resources to families, within the Church and beyond in broader society ,
  • For Marfam’s projects and publications see below.

Regulars: ……………………………………

A Magazine Family Matters, Thoughts for the Day booklets and the Family Matters weekly e-Newsletters. The e-newsletters give readers a chance to dialogue with us and others.  Send an email [email protected] to join the mailing list

Other Publications:

A Family Year Planner Calendar around a theme is produced annually.  Monthly sub-themes provide topics for engagement. Special faith sharing booklets, children’s booklets and liturgical resources.

Other Marfam Projects:

  • Promotional parish talks on current family topics, e.g. marriage, parenting, grandparenting, loss.
  • Giving retreats, talks, seminars and workshops on aspects of family life.
  • Developing and promoting resources for widowed ministry.
  • Sexuality and HIV/AIDS education
  • Collaborating with the SACBC’s Family Desk on current programmes e.g. PARISH FAMILY MINISTRY.
  • Part of SACBC Family working group.
  • Lobbying within and beyond the Catholic network for greater awareness and support for marriage and for family needs.
  • Linking with other marriage and family movements.
  • Networking with the National Department of Social Development through the National Family Services Forum.