1) Ministry to Parents

Like many parishes we here at Holy Redeemer's parish know how to minister to children and teenagers. Often parishes overlook their parents. Yet, we should definitely be serving them, especially considering that they are the greatest spiritual influence in their children’s life.

Thus, the focus of our ministry to parents is to equip them with parenting resources (spiritual, social, etc) to help them develop their parenting abilities and thereby fulfill their vocation to raise faithful Catholics and responsible citizens.

Ministry Focus

Long Term Ministry Goals

• Encourage and empower parents through parenting trainings.

• Provide support to parents.

• Maintain a parenting page in parish website where parents can share ideas and report success stories, things that work, and share resources and suggestions with each other.

• Link parents to our Eucharistic Adoration & Prayer Ministry where we can assist them as they face specific challenges with their children.

• Connect parents together through activities where they can talk about their kids and brainstorm informally about solutions. Such events help to re-energize them to hang in there and keep doing the hard work of parenting.

• Keeping them informed on prevalent cultures affecting their children out there in the society

• Liaise with the leaders and coordinators of Children’s Ministry, Youth and single adults ministries as they strive to partner with the parents of those they minister to, thus maximizing our outreach and efforts for successful faith formation of our children.

2) Ministry to Adults

To serve the needs of adults within the age range of 40 to 60 years, whether they are single or married. Our married adults will also be the focus of our ministry to Couples. Thus, the focus of the ministry to adults is mostly towards those who are single. But, rather than establish a Singles Ministry to minister to their needs separately, we shall do so within the context of our ministry to adults. It is our hope that their needs be met within this larger context, making it easier for them to participate without feeling singled out or stereotyped.

Ministry Focus

Who Are Single Adults

Many adults in our world today are single. Some of these have chosen to be single either for religious reasons (they wish to serve the Lord, the Church or their aging parents) or for secular reasons (their career and work make marriage difficult). Others have not specifically chosen to be single, but find themselves so either because they have not yet found a spouse, or they are separated or divorced, or their spouses have died. Whatever the reasons or circumstances the Father loves those who are now living single lives. He wishes to bless their lives and to bring to their lives a deep peace and joy. Being single is a viable lifestyle and God provides grace for living life as a Christian single adult.

Our parish has always encouraged and continues to encourage strong family bonds and hosts many family-friendly activities. However, like in many other parishes, our single adults often feel left out. We shall strive to provide our single members the opportunities to bond and grow in faith.

Research shows that the population of single adults has grown over the years and will continue to grow. They make up a good percentage of each parish. Thus, here, as we seek to grow and position our parish for the future we want to make sure that our single adults find a welcoming home and good support as they strive to live out their Christian vocation in their state of life.

Long Term Ministry Goals

• Encourage and empower parents through parenting trainings.

• Provide support to parents.

• Maintain a parenting page in parish website where parents can share ideas and report success stories, things that work, and share resources and suggestions with each other.

• Link parents to our Eucharistic Adoration & Prayer Ministry where we can assist them as they face specific challenges with their children.

• Connect parents together through activities where they can talk about their kids and brainstorm informally about solutions. Such events help to re-energize them to hang in there and keep doing the hard work of parenting.

• Keeping them informed on prevalent cultures affecting their children out there in the society

• Liaise with the leaders and coordinators of Children’s Ministry, Youth and single adults ministries as they strive to partner with the parents of those they minister to, thus maximizing our outreach and efforts for successful faith formation of our children.

3) Ministry to the Divorced and Separated

“I earnestly call upon pastors and the whole community of the faithful to help the divorced and with solicitous care, to make sure that they do not consider themselves as separated from the Church… Let the Church pray for them, encourage them and show herself a merciful mother and thus sustain them in faith and hope.” -Pope John Paul II, On the Family, #84

Nothing – not even divorce or death – can place limits on God’s love.”

Divorce has touched nearly every Catholic family in our country. It’s a painful process that affects every aspect of human existence.

Divorce or separation bring with them traumatic and overwhelming range of emotions that include confusion, pain and hurt. Sadly, as if their negative experiences are not enough, many of those who go through this experience end up feeling rejected by the Church.

If you are separated or divorced, the Church cares about you.

The Church loves her own, no matter who they are and what they have done or not done, because they too are beloved children of our loving and compassionate God. Therefore, as a parish, we strive to care for anyone who comes through our doors, no matter who they are and what they have done or not done.

Ministry Focus

Provide resources for those who come to the ministry for support

Ultimately, separated and divorced people, through their vulnerability, suffering, courage, faithfulness, and patient endurance bear witness to Christ and his redeeming grace in the world. They are not mere recipients of the Church's compassion; they are, as well, ministers of that compassion.

Long Term Ministry Goals

Create divorce recovery programs that:

• Foster spiritual and emotional recovery of those who separate or divorce

• Help to lead to a healthier family relationship

• Strengthen stronger spiritual life

• Increase emotional health and self respect

• Provide tools to deal with the pain of the loss

• Enhance the ability to begin living again, contributing to the society and the church.

Separation and divorce are difficult and usually grievous losses, yet filled with potential for vibrant new growth and responsiveness to grace.

The focus of our ministry to the divorced and separated is to help bring healing to those who are hurting from the effects of a divorce or separation, including their famiies. We shall strive to bring them healing, so that transformed and free again, they can love themselves, others, and God.

Things to Know About Divorce and Annulments

• Divorced/remarried Catholics are not excommunicated.

• Someone married for a long time can get an annulment.

• Someone with children can get an annulment.

• Annulments do take years to process and do have to be processed in Rome. [Depend on study - case to case]

• The process is now shorter, but the grounds or conditions for annulment remain the same

Things to Know About Divorce and Parish Life

• Separated/divorced Catholics are welcome at Mass and Church activities.

• Separated/divorced Catholics can be sponsors at Baptism and Confirmation.

• Separated/divorced Catholics can receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation.

• Separated/divorced Catholics can have their children baptized and receive other sacraments.

Things to Know About Remarried Catholics

• Catholics who remarried in the Church after receiving an annulment can receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation

• Catholics in a marriage (initial marriage or remarried) that has not been blessed or solemnized at the altar should not receive the sacrament of Eucharist.

4) Family Support Programs:

Families have varying numbers and degrees of stumbling blocks, ranging from spiritual to economical or material, social to cultural, moral to secular, etc. Through our Family Life Ministry we shall strive to provide as much support to our families and the families in our neighborhoods with as much support as possible.

Family Life Ministry Member Position Description

Composition:

There shall be a minimum of 8 members and a maximum of 10 members on the Team. Efforts should be made to make the team as diverse as possible. There shall be a Coordinator for the Team. The team should include 1 or 2 young couples, single and married parents, 1 or 2 adult singles, 1 adult couple (empty nesters), a divorced or separated member, and 1 or 2 members from the Family Life Commission.

Reports to: Family Ministry Coordinator

General Responsibilities of Every Ministry and Committee Member:

Specific Responsibilities of Family Ministry Team Member

• Helps the ministry to implement its goals and objectives through planned activities

• Helps to discern the needs of the parish groups they serve

• Helps to plan activities and programs that will address such needs

• Create a welcoming and happy environment for those they serve

• Helps to research for resources that will benefit those they serve

Special Activities

• Attend annual parish Ministry Recollection Day

• Help with Annual Stewardship Fair

Meetings

• As planned by the Ministry

Time Commitment

• This also depends on the number of events the Ministry decides to offer.

Expected Length of Commitment

• Minimum of two years.

Time of Commitment

• Time for meetings

• Time dedicated to follow up on proposed activities

• Time dedicated to actual activities and programs

• Delegate other members to certain activities.

HRC Klang Family Life Ministry Members:

ROLE
President (Parish Priest)
Chair Couple
Assistant Chair Couple
Secretary Couple
Treasurer Couple
Chinese Apostolate Representative
Bahasa Apostolate (KUBM) Representative
Tamil Apostolate Representative
Marriage Encounter
Marriage Encounter (upcoming)
Single Adults Ministry
Children's Ministry
Moving on Single Again (MOSA)
Senior Parishioners Ministry Rep

NAME
Rev. Fr. Andrew Kooi
Robert Basker & Shelah Basker
John Tan & Jessica Ng
Anthony Marshall & Sareena
Nicholas Chia & Judith Petrus
John Tan & Jessica Ng
Penny Paluk
Moses & Catherine
John Tan & Jessica Ng
Anthony Marshall & Sareena
Matthius Milli
Matthias Basker
Sofia Sita Devi; Alice
Edgar Harding; Maybelle Low