Aims & Objectives Of The Family Apostolate

To make Christian Families and their welfare the top priority of the Church. And to recognize their central role in promoting God's plan for humanity and the Church.

To strengthen the bonds in family and empower them to further the cause of Christ of building God's kingdom in this world.

Creating a Christian atmosphere where Christ is the center of family life and a where Gospel values are practiced.

Guiding young men and women to understand Christian marriage and family life by discovering the dignity and beauty of the Sacrament of Marriage.

Helping to heal the brokenness in marriages and families when they encounter discord and conflict.

FAMILY APOSTOLATE is presently involved in the following activities at the Archdiocesan level:

Marriage Preparation Course (MPC) - is held nine out of twelve months. It is held for those who are entering the Sacrament of Marriage. It is mandatory for such couples.
Marriage Encounter (ME) - This is an enrichment program for couples / priests / sisters. It is held twice a year and is a residential program
Couple and Family Enrichment - Building positive and life-giving relations in the family and among married couples by a series of enrichment sessions.
World Couples Day: This event is held on the Archdiocesan level every second Sunday of February. Married couples from different parishes (two from each parish) come together for a celebration where the archbishop celebrates mass and felicitates Jubilarian couples.
World Grandparents Day: This day is specially instituted by Pope Francis and is celebrated in July.
Listening and Counseling: A dedicated team of counselors who are available for Counseling and empathetic listening be it individuals, students and married couples at venues in Secunderabad and Hyderabad. Contact Number: +91 7337494032

Activities Proposed

Parents-Children Interactions: Digital Free Family Hour (DFFH) is a programme where the family sits together, prays, eats, speaks and plays together for an hour, at the most, without the use of any electronic device.

Family Cells: to empower families and enrich parish family life; to build Christ-centered homes that pray. The role of the Family Cell is to build, nurture and enrich relationships within and across the families of the parish. The cell comprises of five to six families with a religious sister or two or/and the assistant parish priest, helping them to interact with one another, creating formative small communities and becoming a leaven in the parish. The Family Cell meets once a month in the church premises.

Home Mission: Extensive visits to families offering comfort and solidarity to families in the Parishes with the help of Priests, Religious, Parish Council members, BCC members and Seminarians. This mission is to visit, listen, learn and reach out to the cares and concerns of the families.

Elizabeth Retreats: Retreats for pregnant women and expectant parents. Held in the month of December every year.

Teams: A team of dedicated and trained couples, Religious sisters, priests and laity

Marriage Preparation Course Team
Family Apostolate Team
Jeevadhara Team (Counselling team)

Fr. David Francis

Director, Family Apostolate

6TH WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND ELDERLY - 26 July 2026

Honouring Wisdom and Grace: Archdiocese of Hyderabad Celebrates the 6th World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly

The Family Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Sisters of St. Ann’s of Providence, joyfully celebrated the 6th World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly (WDGE 2026) on Sunday, 26 July 2026, at St. Ann’s High School (ICSE), Secunderabad. Centred on the theme, “I Will Never Forget You” (Isaiah 49:15), the celebration brought together grandparents, elderly persons, caregivers, and parish representatives from across the archdiocese for a meaningful morning of prayer, thanksgiving, and fellowship.

Observed on the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, this year’s celebration reflected on the Holy Father’s message that God never forgets His people. It also highlighted the Church’s call to honour the elderly as treasured members of our families and communities, whose faith, wisdom, and witness continue to enrich the life of the Church.

The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Rev. Fr. Y.M. Joseph, Rev. Fr. Lourdu Raj SJ (Director, Divyavani TV), Rev. Fr. David Francis (Director, Family Apostolate), members of the Family Apostolate team, and representatives of the Grey & Graceful community, setting a prayerful tone for the celebration.

The Holy Eucharist was the centrepiece of the event and was beautifully animated by the Holy Trinity Parish Choir, Begumpet. In his inspiring homily, Rev. Fr. Lourdu Raj SJ reminded the congregation that God remembers every sacrifice, every silent prayer, and every act of love offered by the elderly throughout their lives. Expressing gratitude for their enduring faith and witness, he encouraged families to cherish their grandparents and spend quality time with them. Echoing the Holy Father’s appeal, he urged young people to reach out not only to their own grandparents but also to elderly persons who may be lonely or forgotten, reminding everyone that the greatest gift we can offer is our presence.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, grandparents and elderly persons who had reached remarkable milestones in their lives of faith and service were felicitated by Rev. Fr. Y.M. Joseph and Rev. Fr. Raju Ephraim Alex, TCBC Secretary. The celebration continued with vibrant cultural performances by members of the Family Apostolate’s Grey & Graceful community, whose songs and presentations beautifully reflected that advancing age is a season of joy, hope, and continued mission.

The gathering concluded with a fellowship meal, providing participants with an opportunity to renew friendships and celebrate the invaluable contribution of grandparents and the elderly to family, Church, and society.

The Family Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. David Francis, expressed heartfelt gratitude to His Eminence Cardinal Poola Anthony, Archbishop of Hyderabad, for his constant encouragement and pastoral leadership. Appreciation was also extended to Rev. Fr. Madanu Anthony, Chancellor and Procurator, Rev. Fr. Christopher, Archbishop’s Secretary, the Sisters of St. Ann’s of Providence, the organising team, volunteers, and all the participants whose generous support made the archdiocesan celebration of the 6th World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly a memorable and grace-filled occasion.