Last 21 October 2023, we loudly proclaimed that Couples for Christ Singapore (CFC SG) would “GO! BECOME MAT-BEARERS TO ALL!” at the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS).
That was our theme, which was based on two verses, Matthew 10:6 (Go!) and Mark 2:3-4 (the story of 4 friends/mat-bearers).
Matthew 10:6-7 The Commissioning of the Twelve
6. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Mark 2:3-4 The Healing of a Paralytic.
3. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.
With more than 100 CFC SG leaders, from unit level to National Council (NC) level, we listened to and learned from different speakers, asked questions, engaged with everyone, pledged our commitments, and had some fun team building. It was a very packed day, filled with many wonderfully refreshing inputs and memorable highlights.
Country coordinators brother Raffy and sister Amie Ballesteros gave 2 very powerful talks, which fulfilled these key objectives:
Talk 1: Unity in Christ
- To give emphasis that the fundamental characteristics of the Christian life is unity.
- To explain the importance of unity as the final prayer of Jesus among His believers.
- To identify the three aspects of unity: unity with God, unity with one another, and unity for the mission.
Talk 1 group activity “CFC SG, in unison” energized many of the participants as they shouted chants, with creative dances, to proclaim unity with God, with one another and for the mission.
Talk 2: Passion in Mission
- To explain the life and mission of Couples for Christ that is to proclaim the gospel that will renew the face of the earth.
- To explain our role as Christian, to be one with the mission of the Catholic Church.
- To give importance on receiving the gift of faith through an encounter with Jesus and sharing this faith on mission for others.
Talk 2 group activity “CFC SG, Always on the Go!” sustained the energy as every individual created a mission name, and was instructed to share and elaborate with as many persons as possible.
The two Cluster Heads, Brothers Jun Frias and Mel Tapaoan, reported their progress from their “Stop / Start / Continue” action plan formed in the last EC 2022.
While select chapter heads reported their 2023 breakthrough or success stories, or best practices, for other leaders to consider and adopt.
Two variations that helped us fit EC 2023 in one day (which in the past would take 1.5 days) while still achieving the key goals of reviewing status and new goals, and planning for improvements and for next actions were:
- To have the 2023 reports from the Chapter and NC /Pillar heads submitted earlier so they could be printed into posters and then put up for a “gallery walk”, and
- To have the NC open forum with the audience so that every question can be heard, clarified and answered. Post-EC 2023 actions were then listed for follow-through as we move into 2024.
We also had a CFC SG pledge board signed by everyone – one for each cluster. As a vibrant, joyful finale, we had lots of fun after dinner with our meaningful team-building activities. Even with continued challenges ahead of us, we all went home joyful and ready to “GO! BECOME MAT-BEARERS TO ALL! “
Kudos to the service team, led by Bro Alex Yabut from Serangoon 1 and Bro Edwin Lim from West 2 chapters, together with the Sector service team – Bro Mel and Sis Carol Tapaoan, Bro Jun and Sis Rina Frias and Bro Dick and Sis Elaine Cercado! A simple thanksgiving dinner celebration with the entire service team was held last 30th of November 2023. All honor and praises be to God!
