By Ali and Patricia Lopez
HAZELHURST – Since October 2017, parents from St. Martin of Tours Mission have met on the first Sunday of every month for a program called “School for Parents.” The classes were adapted from a program already in use in Latin America and are part of the parish’s efforts to support the Pastoral Priority of the formation of life-long disciples. About two dozen families participated.
The focus of the program is to support parents who have children enrolled in religious education, especially those who have children preparing for First Communion this year. Themes included effective communication within the family, self-esteem in children, family values, parents’ responsibility to educate their children in the faith and the importance of family prayer.
Jaime and Herlinda Martinez led the closing session, Sunday, March 4. Jaime and Herlinda are graduates of the school of ministries offered by the Southeastern Pastoral Ministries Institute (SEPI) for training in becoming parish leaders. SEPI classes are coordinated by the Office of Hispanic Ministry.

(Alí and Patricia López are members of St. Martin of Tours Mission)