The Catholic Church recognises the family as a fundamental building block of society. We aim to strengthen families, foster positive relationships, and create a safe and nurturing environment for children and parents alike. Here are some of the ways families can find support in the Diocese of Parramatta:
Education: The Church is deeply committed to education, and many Catholic schools and institutions provide quality education from early childhood through primary and higher education. This empowers parents to make informed choices about their children’s education in alignment with their faith.
Pastoral Care: Catholic parishes often offer pastoral care services for families that are growing in faith. Your local priest can provide guidance on issues like marital conflicts, parenting, and grief and help your family navigate common challenges. We recommend approaching and building a good relationship with your local priests – start by introducing yourself after Mass and take some time to get to know them.
Counselling: Catholic Care offers guidance and advice to support individuals and families, including counselling and therapy, parenting programs, family support services, and referrals to services that can assist with crisis relief, NDIS support, housing and financial assistance and more.
Marriage Preparation: The Church offers marriage preparation programs to help engaged couples build strong foundations for their marriages. These programs cover topics such as communication, conflict resolution, and financial management.
Support for Life: The Church is a strong advocate for the sanctity of life. We provide support and resources for expectant mothers and fathers, including crisis pregnancy centres that offer counselling, medical care, and material assistance, and support programs for people with disabilities or special needs, and the ageing members of our community.
Charitable Initiatives: Our Diocesan charities fund numerous programs to assist families in need, including programs that provide financial assistance for families facing economic hardships. We also work with organisations to support food banks, shelter
Community and Fellowship: Catholic parishes often serve as hubs for building community and fellowship among families. Through various social events, support groups, and youth programs, families can connect and strengthen their faith together.
Advocacy: The Catholic Church advocates for policies and initiatives that support families at local and national levels. This includes advocacy for family-friendly workplace policies, affordable housing, and access to healthcare while simultaneously providing tactical support on a grassroots level. There are many ways you can get involved in this work on a local, state and national level.