The Family Ministry of the Elementary Department had its first “Tuloy po Kayo Episode: Talk Ritual” last October 9, 2021 at 8:00pm-9:00pmusing the Zoom platform. The episode focused on encouraging family conversation during meal time. Almost 400 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners participated.
For the first part of the episode, Mrs. Rica Villas facilitated the discussion and asked the guests to answer this question: “How important is it for family members to talk on a regular basis?”. Fr. Cyril explained that through deep and meaningful family conversation, we have the privilege of reflecting and sharing in the very life of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In addition, the De Alba family added that family conversation is essential because it promotes and bolsters a sense of family identity.
The second part of the episode presented the survey conducted to families of Bosconians and lay mission partners regarding their family situation in relation to their talk rituals at home. Here are the results gathered from 121 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners as of October 9, 2021, 11:30am.
Survey Question No.1: Do you eat together as a family?
Yes – 117 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners
No – 4 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners
Survey Question No. 2: When do you eat together as a family on weekdays?
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner – 43 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners
Breakfast and Lunch – 1 family of Bosconian or lay mission partner
Breakfast and Dinner – 9 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners
Lunch and Dinner – 30 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners
Breakfast – 7 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners
Lunch – 1 family of Bosconian or lay mission partner
Dinner – 30 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners
Survey Question No. 3: When do you eat together as a family on weekends?
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner – 96 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners
Breakfast and Dinner – 1 family of Bosconian or lay mission partner
Lunch and Dinner – 15 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners
Breakfast – 1 family of Bosconian or lay mission
Lunch – 3 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners
Dinner – 5 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners
Survey Question No. 4: Do any of your family members use gadgets during meal times?
Yes – 94 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners are using gadgets during meal times
No-27 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners are NOT using gadgets during meal times
Survey Question No. 5: Do any of your family members watch television during meals?
Yes – 94 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners are watching television during meal times
No – 27 families of Bosconians and lay mission partners are NOT watching television during meal times
The guests highlighted important points based on the presented results of the survey. First, a family meal is an opportunity for family conversation. Second, one of the positive impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic is that families are able to eat together on a regular basis. Most of the parents are working at home and they are able to join their children who are enrolled at Don Bosco Technological Institute of Makati with an online set-up. Third, parents of Boscconians and lay mission partners are encouraged to address the use of family gadgets and watching television during a family meal. The parents can implement practical ways (e.g. “no gadget, turn off the television before starting a family meal, etc.) depending on what will work in their families. Lastly, families of Bosconians and lay mission partners are challenged to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation of reclaiming dialogue with families in order to really connect with each other and to discover God’s plan for them.
The episode concluded when Fr. Cyril gave a special blessing to the families of Bosconians and lay mission partners. He also asked God to let the participants receive a special grace of starting conversation during family meals on a regular basis.