By Fr Nathaneal George SDB for BIS Mumbai

St Anne’s Church, Ahilyanagar, continued its preparations for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Nagar Mat Mauli Yatra. A number of programmes had been planned to build fervour and enthusiasm among the parishioners. As part of these preparations, and with the aim of fostering a more holistic approach to family life, the parish organised a seminar on parenting on 18 October 2026.

The seminar was open to all interested participants and was held in the church building after the Sunday Mass. Fr Velasli Bandya, SDB, helped the gathering understand the concept of “5G Catholic Parenthood”, elaborating on five themes: Grace, Foundations, Guidance, Growth and Glory. He emphasised that every parent was called to grow in grace and that the foundation of Christian parenthood was Christ, the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Through simple anecdotes, numerous biblical examples and practical suggestions, he enlightened the participants on how to build bonds of friendship and accompaniment within their families.

Fr Velasli did not merely advise and instruct; he also gently challenged the participants to take simple yet radical steps towards building stronger families. He introduced his initiative, “My Family Altar”, a seven-day course comprising simple, practical tasks for families. These ranged from refraining from using mobile phones during meals to reading Scripture together and praying the Rosary as a family. His presentation on good parenting went beyond theories and statistics, offering practical ways to make the family a place where individuals learn to love, forgive and follow Christ wholeheartedly.

While the parents attended the seminar, their children, most of whom were catechism students, enjoyed a variety of games and action songs organised by the parish youth group. The young volunteers creatively planned the entire programme, which included snacks, relay games and a treasure hunt. These activities not only entertained the children but also helped them discover that there were many ways to enjoy themselves beyond social media, mobile phones and television. The younger children were provided with a separate space where they enjoyed colouring biblical scenes and watching a short children’s film.

The event concluded with a special time of games and activities involving parents and their children. Spot prizes, action songs and games such as the “Queen of Sheba” brought joy and laughter to everyone present. The programme ended with a prayer led by the parish priest, Fr McEnroe, who thanked Fr Velasli for sharing his time and insights and congratulated the participants for their attentive presence and active involvement.

The seminar on good parenting served as a reminder that the heart of Christian life was nurtured within the family. It reaffirmed that the home was the first school of love, forgiveness and faith, where relationships were strengthened and individuals learnt to become wholehearted followers of Christ.