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The following are frequently asked questions about the Couples For Christ.
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Couples for Christ is a registered non-profit organization. ©
1981-2002
CFC in Chicago, IL established 1994
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Where and how did CFC begin ?
CFC began in 1981 in Manila when
a local Christian community tried out a new approarch in evangelizing married
couples. The method used consisted of bringing together a small group of
prospective couples in a private home. There they were brought to a living
relationship with Jesus Christ and to renewal of the power of the Holy Spirit
through a series of weekly informal discussions of the gospel in a social
setting.
Soon, CFC became a Christian family life renewal program made available
to parishes and groups of married couples who wished to live out their
Christian life in an active, supportive relationship with one another.
Through the years, CFC has blossomed into a worldwide ministry, becoming
a major force for the renewal of Christian family life and also of the
church.
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Why is such a ministry necessary
?
It is God’s plan that the
family be the basic unit of society, such that the condition of families
determine the condition of society.
However, there are many forces in the world today that would , wittingly or
unwittingly, destroy the very foundations of the family. CFC wants to rise in defence of the family which is God’s work. CFC wants to bring God’s strength
and light to those who are struggling to be truly Christian families in the
modern world.
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How does Couples for Christ intend
to work for Christian family renewal ?
CFC intends to carry out its work by focusing on three specific objectives.
- Individual renewal. Before one can even consider the whole family,
the husband and wife first need to renew their commitment to God. CFC takes
the basic message of Christianity and proclaims it a new so that those
who hear it can make a renewed commitment to God in a way which will allow
them to receive a fuller experience of the work of the Holy Spirit in their
lives.
- Family renewal. As couples renew their commitment to God, they also
renew their commitment to one another and to their Christian family life.
Gradually, the new life that they find in the Lord filters down to all
their family relationships.
- Church renewal. As individual families are renewed, they form a network
of equally committed Christian families which not only support one another
but also strengthen the Church of which they are members.
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Who can become members of Couples
for Christ ?
Any married couple can become members of CFC. CFC draws its membership
from all sectors of society, young and old,
rich and poor, etc. CFC transcends all cultural, economic, educational,
social and other distinctions.
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How does a couple become members
of Couples for Christ ?
Those who want to join CFC go
through a seminar which is called a Christian Life Program (CLP). The CLP starts
with an orientation session, then goes through 12 weekly meetings, thus
involving a total time period of 3 months. The weekly meetings are usually held
in the evenings and last about 2.5 hours per session. For an entire description
of the program, visit our CLP link...
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Is there any cost involved ?
There are no fees or any monetary expenses required of participants.
The only investment required is their time and their openness.
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What happens after the Christian
Life Program ?
After the CLP, those who finish
are invited to join CFC. When they do, they are made part of a small cell group
called a household. The household is composed of from 5 to 7 couples who meet
weekly for mutual support and encouragement in the Christian life, under the
direction of a household leader.
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What is the nature of this household
?
The purpose of the household
group is to build an environtment for the support of the Christian life of
couples, and to provide a means for encouraging and hastening spiritual growth.
It provides friendship and brotherhood. It helps people overcome obstacles to
growth in the Christian life.
The household meeting is held in the homes of the group members, on
rotation basis. A typical meeting would involve some time for prayers,
a time for sharing or discussion , and finally some time for fellowship.
It would normally last about 2.5 hours.
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How about Christian formation
?
Finishing the CLP is just the
beginning of a long process of growth and transformation in Christ. As such, CFC
provides a continuing program of formation, which includes teachings,
recollections, retreats, etc.
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How is Couples for Christ different
from other movements or organizations ?
CFC differs in a number of ways but the most significant are the following
:
- It fosters deep spiritual renewal which involves personal conversion,
developing a personal relationship with Jesus, and living in the power
of the Holy Spirit.
- It focuses on the couple, with emphasis on husband and wife growing
together in their Christian lives.
- It provides continuing support and formation, recognizing that programs
can only plant a seed, but that growth is a long and difficult process.
- It concentrates on
evangelization, reaching out to more and more couples, in line with the Church’s
call for lay
- people to participate actively
in the building of God’s kingdom on earth.
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Is CFC recognized by the Catholic
Church ?
Yes, CFC is a servant and lay arm of the Church in the work of renewal,
and has a number of bishops as its Spiritual Directors. Furthermore, CFC
is present and operates in many different parishes and dioceses, fully
recognized by and operating under the authority of the parish priests and
bishops.
In March of 2000, the Vatican
released its official recognition of CFC as a private association of the lay
faithful. See a reproduction of the Vatican Decree by clicking here...
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What benefits can a parish derive
in having Couples for Christ ?
There are a number of benefits :
- Couples are renewed and strengthened in their Christian lives. Strong
couples makes for strong families, which make for strong parish.
- A basic CFC objectives is to be relevant to the life of the Church,
specifically in the parish, CFC members is expected to support their parish
priest and be available for parish services.
- CFC can be effectively used in the strategic evangelization of parishioners
who are potentially strong servants and workers for the parish.
- CFC has proven to be an effective tool for fostering unity among mandated
organizations and other parish groups, by redirecting leaders to focus
on the Lord rather than on their service.
- CFC can be a conduit for social
action in the parish, one of our objectives being the economic and spiritual
upliftment of our less fortunate brethren.
- CFC can hasten the formation of
a strong, vibrant Christian community.
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The Church speaks
Jaime Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of
Manila, Philippines
"Everytime I kneeldown to pray to thank the Lord for the many blessings
He has given me and the Church, I always remember the marvels He has done
through Couples for Christ."
"I love Couples for Christ, I am convinced that you will save the
world"
"Your loyalty to the Church is an example for many other lay
organizations."
Bishop Ernesto Salgado of Baguio,
Philippines
"... please remember that the Lord is counting on you for the salvation
of the Christian Family in the Philippines."
Rev. Christian Moore ofm conv, M.
Div, D. Min, of the Community of St Padua, Lorain, Ohio, USA
"I have been involved in and studies the Cursillo, Marriage Encounter,
Charismatic Renewal, Beginning Experience, Campus Peer Ministry, and 12 step
groups and have some knowledge of Retrouvaille. Each movement which I have
studied and have been part of have special gifts and strengths that recomended
them. However, I belive that Couples for Christ ranks among the best I have
experienced."
Rev. Timothy Lynch, Vicar for
Marriage and The Family, Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida, USA
"We are blessed to have Couples for Christ in our Palm Beach, Florida
Diocese and the renewal that has taken hold as a result. The power of the Holy
Spirit is at work in the hearts and lives of those who have given of themselves
genereously and unselfishly to this apostolate."
Fr Edmund Dunne cssr, JCD,
President of the Family Live Society, Singapore
"We see a brigt future for this truly spiritual movement towards a
'global community under the Lordship of Christ'."
Rev. David Baugh, Pastor of St. William's
Church, Euclid, Ohio, USA
"I have seen how parishioners have been strengthened
spiritually and how they have given that spiritually and support back to
the parish."
Bishop Teodore Bacani, Jr. of the
Archdiocese of Manila, Philippines
"This growth and the spread of your community to many parts of the
world is a sure sign of the Holy Spirit working mightly in you."
"CFC is the most dynamic family group in the country today."
Archbishop Guadencio Rosales of
Lipa, Philippines
"Thanks to the Couples for Christ, every member of the family becomes
open to the beckoning of the Holy Spririt."
Msgr. Socrates Villages, Vicar General
of the Archdiocese of Manila, Philippines
"Couples for Christ is for the world. You were chosen
by God for a purpose. You were chosen so that you may be the salt of the
earth and the light of the world."
Archbishop A.G. Pius Batubara ofm
cap of Medan, Indonesia
"I expect that CFC would be the herald of Christ and militant apostles
of family by promoting, witnessing and living faithfully the Christian values
and family."
Rev. Josheph Meehan, Pastor of
St. John's Catholic Church, Atlantic Beach, Florida, USA
"Couples for Christ is a timely blessing for the Church in the United
States."
Archbishop Jesus Tuquib of
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
"Christ needs all of you that through you and your good examples others
may be able to feel the healing presence of God in their married live."
Archbishop Mariano Gaviola of
Lipa, Philippines
"Here in Batangas the trmendous upsurge of CFC membership .... leaves
nothing to doubt about CFC being an apostolic and evangelical arm of the
Catholic Church."
Fr. Damaso Argel of St. Joseph
Parish, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
"The Couples for Christ is bringing more couples closer and dearer to
Jesus Christ who is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. In my parish alone, there
is a great transformation. More and more husbands are coming to church with
their families and so many are getting married in church during the CLPs. I
encourage all Catholic couples to joint thus movement."
Fr. John Benna of Mayapa, Laguna,
Philippines
"While in Rome, where we stayed for three years, we had been praying
for the best solution that could strengthen our Christian family life here in
Mayapa. In all sincerity, perhaps CFC was the answer."
Fr. Cuota of Goa, India
"CFC is the hope of the Church and the salvation of the world."
Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan of
Tuguegarao, Cagayan
"Since you came to introduce Couples for Christ, Solana is never the
same.... you were Godsent to help me bring Gospel values to all families."
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