Many times the joys and sorrows of rearing children bring parents to a new relationship with God and a vital prayer life. Today's families are more diverse than in generations past. It frequently spans three or four generations. Every family is continually developing its spirituality by seeking a relationship with God and negotiating among its members how the family will function in the various stages of family life. The parish has a marvelous opportunity to contribute to that development of family spirituality and functioning.
Family life is part of the sacramental life of the parish because matrimony is the basis of family.
No societal institution can take the place of the parish church as nurturer of family life as sacramental and as domestic church. The Catholic family desperately needs a support community if it is to develop, retain and share its spirituality and values with the world. The parish can be that support. Just as the family forms its members, so can the parish contribute to the forming of its member families. However, it is necessary that the parish community develop expertise in ministering not only to individual family members, but also to the family unit both directly and indirectly.