Mangala Jyothi
Diocesan Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Centre
Parents’ Faith Formation Programme Held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Vorkady
Faith Formation
07 Oct 2026
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A special faith formation programme for parents was organised at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Vorkady, on October 4, 2026, with approximately 300 parents participating.
The programme was organised with the aim of helping parents understand their vital role as the first educators and faith formators of their children. Rev. Fr. Rohith D’Costa, Director of Mangala Jyothi – DBCLC and Secretary, Commission for Faith Formation, Diocese of Mangalore, served as the resource person.
Addressing the parents, Fr. Rohith spoke on the importance of faith formation, the meaning of faith formation, and why faith formation is essential for children and families today. He emphasised that faith formation is not merely about teaching prayers, doctrines or religious practices, but about helping children develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and live their faith in their daily lives.
He highlighted the role and responsibilities of parents in nurturing the faith of their children, stressing that the family is the first school of faith. Parents were encouraged to become living witnesses of Christian faith through prayer, participation in the Eucharist, family prayer, forgiveness, love, service and Christian values in everyday life.
Fr. Rohith also encouraged parents to create a faith-filled home environment where children can freely ask questions about faith, experience God's love and gradually grow into mature Christian disciples.
Rev. Fr. Francis Crasta, Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Santhosh D'Souza, Principal, parish lay leaders, the Faith Formation Commission convener and members, and catechism teachers actively participated in organising the programme.
The programme provided an opportunity for parents to reflect on their responsibility in accompanying their children in their journey of faith and strengthening the partnership between family, parish and catechetical ministry.
The programme was organised with the aim of helping parents understand their vital role as the first educators and faith formators of their children. Rev. Fr. Rohith D’Costa, Director of Mangala Jyothi – DBCLC and Secretary, Commission for Faith Formation, Diocese of Mangalore, served as the resource person.
Addressing the parents, Fr. Rohith spoke on the importance of faith formation, the meaning of faith formation, and why faith formation is essential for children and families today. He emphasised that faith formation is not merely about teaching prayers, doctrines or religious practices, but about helping children develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and live their faith in their daily lives.
He highlighted the role and responsibilities of parents in nurturing the faith of their children, stressing that the family is the first school of faith. Parents were encouraged to become living witnesses of Christian faith through prayer, participation in the Eucharist, family prayer, forgiveness, love, service and Christian values in everyday life.
Fr. Rohith also encouraged parents to create a faith-filled home environment where children can freely ask questions about faith, experience God's love and gradually grow into mature Christian disciples.
Rev. Fr. Francis Crasta, Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Santhosh D'Souza, Principal, parish lay leaders, the Faith Formation Commission convener and members, and catechism teachers actively participated in organising the programme.
The programme provided an opportunity for parents to reflect on their responsibility in accompanying their children in their journey of faith and strengthening the partnership between family, parish and catechetical ministry.