On Saturday, 20 June 2026, more than 1,000 families from across the Archdiocese of Johannesburg gathered at Don Bosco Centre in Walkerville for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Families (AMOF).
The event, which has become a highlight on the archdiocesan calendar, brought together people of all ages for a day filled with prayer, formation, fellowship and entertainment. Families braved the cold weather to participate in a programme specifically designed to cater for everyone.
The Annual Meeting of Families is a collaborative initiative of three archdiocesan departments: the Department of Evangelisation, the Youth Department and the Department of Marriage and Family Life. This year’s event was spearheaded by the Department of Marriage and Family Life, which coordinated the day’s activities and logistics.
The gathering began with the celebration of Holy Mass, presided over by His Eminence, Cardinal Stephen Brislin, Metropolitan Archbishop of Johannesburg. He was joined by several priests from across the archdiocese, including Father Nkosinathi Nkabinde, Vicar for Marriage and Family Life, who concelebrated the Mass.
The cardinal’s family meeting
In his homily, Cardinal Stephen Brislin reflected on Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, warning against the dehumanising effects of social media, artificial intelligence and the growing concentration of power in the hands of wealthy individuals and corporations. He urged Catholics to return to the foundations of Catholic social teaching by promoting “the common good,” respecting human dignity and standing in solidarity with those who suffer. Emphasising the central role of the family, he described it as “the basic cell of society”, adding that “if you have happy families, you’ll have a happy society. If you have families that are broken, families that are hurting, families that are in crisis, that too will reflect in the society in which we live.”
He encouraged families to become places of prayer, belonging, safety and love, where children can learn forgiveness, reconciliation and healthy relationships. Addressing parents, the Cardinal reminded them that their children are “a gift of God” entrusted to their care and that they should always offer unconditional love, even when children make mistakes. He also stressed the importance of helping young people build resilience and inner strength to face disappointments and failures, noting that “after the darkness is always the light; the dawn does come.” Concluding his homily, Cardinal Brislin encouraged families to cherish God’s gift of marriage and family life, urging them never to lose respect for marriage and to witness to its beauty and importance in a world that increasingly undervalues lifelong commitment.
Activities for every member of the family
One of the defining features of this year’s AMOF was the wide range of activities designed for different age groups. Couples attended sessions focused on strengthening family relationships and nurturing healthy marriages, while young adults and youth participated in faith-based workshops and discussions, such as entrepreneurship, tailored to their realities and challenges.
Children were equally well catered for. A dedicated children’s programme featured storytelling sessions, jumping castles, an animal farm and numerous recreational activities. The venue itself was transformed into a vibrant family festival. Various exhibitors and vendors showcased products and services, while religious congregations and ministries provided information about vocations and opportunities for service within the Church.
The presence of religious communities was particularly meaningful, offering young people and families the opportunity to learn more about the different vocations within the Church. Conversations around priesthood, religious life and lay ministry took place throughout the day, highlighting the role of vocation promotion in the life of the archdiocese.
Gratitude for a successful gathering
Mrs Veronica Pieterson, Head of the Department of Evangelisation, expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event.
“Despite the weather, the gathering went well,” she said. “The Men’s Forum was also present and hands-on whenever we needed assistance. I would also like to appreciate the sodalities who made donations, especially for the party packs that were distributed twice to the children.”
Pieterson also acknowledged the efforts of the many volunteers who worked behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the event. “We are grateful to everyone who helped in their own way, from the Men’s Forum, to the youth who helped at the gate, as well as the Archdiocesan Pastoral Committee. We are also happy that people braved the cold to spend the whole day together,” she said.
The spirit of collaboration was evident throughout the day. Volunteers from different ministries, organisations and parish groups worked side by side, demonstrating the synodal spirit that continues to guide the mission of the Church.
Moments of joy and lasting memories
Meanwhile, Mrs Nonisi Dlamini, Head of the Department of Marriage and Family Life and one of the principal organisers of this year’s event, reflected on the significance of the gathering and the joy it brought to so many families.
“It’s so beautiful to see the Annual Meeting of Families come together,” she said. Dlamini described several moments that stood out for her during the day. “The highlights were seeing the joy and happiness that children showed when they played in different areas, as well as seeing older people tapping into their younger selves and enjoying themselves. It was wonderful to see entire families spending quality time together.”
One particularly special moment for Dlamini was participating in the offertory procession during Mass alongside her family. “My other biggest highlight was taking the bread and wine to the Cardinal with my family during Mass,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation for the many stalls and exhibitors that enriched the experience of participants. “I am happy with the stalls that were present, from the vendors to the religious communities who shared information about vocations. There was truly something for everyone.”
Strengthening families, building the church
As the day drew to a close, families were treated to music from Catholic musicians, including the Welsh Choir, The Light Twins, Thuso Mojatau (Thuso Wa Sibini) and Kgethang Konese.
The success of the 2026 Annual Meeting of Families demonstrated the continuing importance of family ministry within the Archdiocese of Johannesburg. More importantly, it reminded participants that the Church remains a family of families, a place where every person, from the youngest child to the oldest grandparent, has a place and a purpose.
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