It’s being billed as “an afternoon chat with Dr. Philip Mamalakis” who works as a parent, professor and author.

But this Sunday’s special program, which will be hosted by the Church of the Annunciation at 175 Oaklawn Avenue in Cranston, promises to be filled with volumes of insight into raising our youth in these challenging times.

Rev. Andrew George, pastor of the Greek Orthodox Church, issued a citywide invitation for people to “join us for a light luncheon directly following Liturgy and attend this unique parenting seminar.”

Father George said there will be fun activities for children ages 3 to 18 during Dr. Mamalakis’ presentation. There is no fee to attend the program and there’s plenty of parking in the Annunciation parking lot.

“Dr. Philip [Mamalakis] is such an engaging speaker,” Father George said. “He’s very personal and so well grounded in his message concerning family life and the raising of children. We all know that we live in different difficult times than our own childhood. What seemed normal or routine in the past as concerns the raising of children is not so today.”

Father George explained that Dr. Mamalakis has written and recently released a book entitled “Parenting Toward the Kingdom” and has seven children and lives in Boston with his wife Georgia.

“Dr. Philip will speak about the many distractions, diversions and countless challenges and pressure put on both parents and children today. We welcome others, as well as those from our parish, to come and be inspired by him this Sunday.”

Father George said the event will begin at 12:30 p.m. inside the Rev. Peter G. Milailides Center, located adjacent to Annunciation Church. He also noted that Dr. Mamalakis would have his book available for signing.

Dr. Mamalakis is the Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and directs the field of education program and teaches classes on pastoral care, marriage and family, grief, death and dying and topics related to pastoral counseling.

He has a private practice in Newton, Mass. where he works with individuals, couples and families.

Dr. Mamalakis has a M.Div. from Holy Cross and a Ph.D. from Purdue University in children development and family studies, specializing in marriage and family therapy. He has been offering parenting courses and writing on parenting for 21 years. He enjoys leading seminars and retreats on intimacy, relationships, marriage, parenting and family life as well as Orthodoxy and psychology.

Anyone who’d like further information about Sunday’s program or directions to the Greek Orthodox parish should call 942-4188.