The creation of the Centro OASI CANA per la Famiglia e la Vita (summer 2003) is both a point of arrival and a point of departure. It is indeed the fruit of the journey and commitment of these years, of the answers that, as OASI CANA Association, we have tried to give to the demand for formation (from engaged couples, married couples and families, from groups, schools and parishes) and to the requests for help from a good many people, both single and married couples and families.
Today, the commitment to this «adventure» of the Centre is sustained by a few fundamental reasons that have matured ever more over time.
A deeper awareness of the mystery of marriage and the family (in the light of both reason and faith), gained through years of formation.
The conviction that investing in the family means being builders of the future because, by acting decisively and positively upon the well-being of this primary and vital cell of the social and ecclesial body, we will help to bring about more harmonious and integrated civil societies and church communities.
The alarming figures on the rise in the number of separated and divorced couples, cohabiting couples and remarried divorcees.
And then we cannot pretend that the widespread phenomenon of relational suffering does not exist (caused by conflict between spouses, within families and between parents and children), suffering that is often played out in the secrecy of the home.
Therefore, while well aware of the financial and management burden of a large facility, but trusting above all in Providence, we came to the decision to create, in the city of Palermo, a centre of formation and prevention, spirituality and support for couples, families and individuals.
Formation and prevention
- Engaged couples: marriage preparation itineraries.
- Married couples: itineraries in family groups.
- Parents: Meetings for expectant parents; a “school” for parents.
- Children: formation itineraries by age group.
- Parish family groups and groups from other associations: support.
- Regular meetings for engaged and married couples.
- Family ministry workers: formation and further training.
- Seminars and conferences for study and outreach on themes concerning marriage and the family.
Spirituality
- Spiritual accompaniment for engaged couples, married couples and individuals.
- Spiritual retreats for individual couples and, separately, for groups of engaged and married couples.
- Prayer meetings, eucharistic adoration, lectio divina.
Support
- For couples “in crisis”.
- For families in situations of hardship or relational difficulty.
- For separated and divorced people who have not remarried and who wish to remain faithful to their yes.
- For separated, divorced and remarried divorced couples: including help in managing relationships with their children
For support we rely to a great extent on the services of the counselling centre (see Counselling Centre).
The Centre, which extends over an area of about 1,600 sq m, includes:
- Rooms for welcome and formation;
- Conference hall;
- Premises for the counselling services;
- Church-Rectory “Holy Family of Nazareth”;
- A living unit for the family residing at the Centre;
- En-suite rooms with a total of thirty beds;
- Study and documentation centre on the couple and the family;
- A dedicated library;
- An inner courtyard (about 1,000 sq m).
