This summer, Val-de-Paix House in Canada had the joy of hosting its very first CANA Family Week! Seven couples and their 21 children gathered, surrounded by a wonderful team of servants, to experience a week that was both simple and intense.
Each morning, parents received teachings and testimonials to nourish their married life and their mission as parents. The diversity of the speakers was particularly appreciated: each one shared a theme that was deeply meaningful to them, thus offering a beautiful complementarity in the services. The separate sharing times for men and women were also experienced as rich and fruitful moments, where each person was able to revisit their vocation as a father or mother.
In the afternoon, the most beautiful gift awaited the families: time together. Time to reconnect, share, and get to know each other better. Time to laugh, play, participate in creative and sports workshops, pray as a family, and discover the joy of inviting God into their daily lives. The workshops led by the families themselves were a great success, allowing everyone to contribute according to their talents and charisms. As for the evenings, they struck the right balance between dynamic storytelling, a family atmosphere, and appropriate covenant prayer.
This first edition was recognized as a well-structured week, carried by the authenticity of the families present. The feedback was excellent: parents and children alike felt connected, encouraged, and strengthened. As servants, we left convinced that “it really tasted good,” with the desire to find ways to renew this experience, adapt it, and offer it to a larger number of people… so that many others can taste the Love of Christ in the heart of their families and leave with the joy of renewed hope!
