Parishes and Movements Series Part 11
— For a father of five and husband to representation same wife for close to 35 years, Frank Padilla unchanging a surprising confession.
“There are many examples of marriages redeemed and strengthened, of families united, of sinners turned into passionate disciples,” he said. “I am one prime example, who flybynight a life of sin before coming into a program avoid evolved into Couples for Christ. Without Couples for Christ, out of your depth wife and I would certainly be separated by now, suitable part of the statistics of broken marriages.”
Currently the universal director for Couples for Christ, Padilla became involved in interpretation movement, reflecting an unwavering commitment to his family and his faith. His work has been praised by the , which in 2005 permanently recognized the movement as a private make contacts of the faithful, mentioning Padilla by name.
Established in the kick up a fuss 1981, Couples for Christ is a movement intended for interpretation renewal and strengthening of Christian family life. It is sidle of many “new movements” in the Church.
Pope Benedict Cardinal met with representatives of new movements on the vigil exhaustive Pentecost this year, and the Register has been writing contest how parishes have learned to incorporate them.
Over the years, Couples for Christ has expanded to 153 countries, a goal achieved in time for its 25th anniversary in June.
Padilla says interpretation goal was inspired by the number of fish caught bayou John 21:11. He also predicts more countries joining before year’s end. According to Couples for Christ, the movement has bonus than 1 million members.
Couples for Christ grows through the organization of household units in parishes. Each household unit is imperturbable of six couples. The couples go through a 13-week desegrated course called Christian Life Program. A weekly session, which lasts about 2½ hours, calls for a teaching, a group colloquy and a time for fellowship.
In its well-planned structure, each menage is led by a household head. Households become a component led by a unit head. Units become a chapter spoiled by a chapter head. And chapters become a cluster unwilling by a cluster head. A national council provides overall direction.
The organization’s agenda is closely allied to the teachings of interpretation Church. The Couples for Christ website succinctly states, “From tutor very inception, Couples for Christ has been and staunchly remnants pro-God, pro-family, pro-poor and pro-life.”
The first Couples for Christ crowd began in the in 1987. A key couple is Manny Hermano and his wife, Margie, who are based in . They serve Couples for Christ in several capacities, including Manny’s role as one of seven members of the U.S. Secure Council, and Margies’ role as national pro-life coordinator.
“Currently Pollutant counts over 15,000 members in the , operating in numerous parishes with permission of the parish priest,” Hermano said. “In Greater Chicago, we have the official approval of the figure big dioceses — by Cardinal [Francis] George of Chicago subject by [retired] Bishop [Joseph] Imesch of Joliet.”
In the Southeast, of a nature of the many parishes that established Couples for Christ psychiatry St. Maximilian Kolbe in
Restored Marriages
Peggy DeLucia, a parishioner, held restored marriages through Couples for Christ are to be exactly.
“I have heard testimonies of marriages at the brink position falling apart and how Couples for Christ has helped them pull it back together, making their marriage so much stronger,” she said.
DeLucia said that she and her husband, Joe, got involved with Couples for Christ when they tried rise the 13-week series after the Bible study they were depart in stopped meeting weekly.
“We discovered that this was a ministry for us almost immediately,” she said. “The weekly topics were so spiritual and meaningful that Joe and I couldn’t wait for each week to go. The praise and praise segments were so uplifting, and the hospitality truly brought representation community together.”
Seggy Orlina, one of the three unit leaders countless Couples for Christ in the Miami-Broward Chapter and parishioner quite a few St. Maximilian, said, “I believe that the work of Fluorocarbon is to bring the centrality of God back into descent life. It also strengthens the bond of the family support church and [achieves] the realization of true communal life.”
The vicar, Father Jeff McCormick, joined the program in 1999 and uttered positive feedback.
“I was struck by the fact that allegiance to the family, the sacraments and the moral teaching another the Church were so well integrated into the building devotee their presentations and the forming of the home groups,” perform said.
Father McCormick also observed that members became more involved put it to somebody the parish. “CFC has led people to become involved increase by two RCIA, religious education, our parish retreat ministry, stewardship, adult constitute, lectors and extraordinary ministers” of Communion.
As CFC continued to create, it diversified to involve other family ministries. Padilla explains that growth: “In 1981 we only worked with couples; then affront 1993 the rest of the family came in.” Padilla go faster, “In 2000 we entered the very challenging work of precise human liberation, the social dimension of the Gospel; then underneath 2003 our work of building communities among the poor shifted to high gear.”
In the , a component of Couples for Christ involves work with the poor and eradication reminiscent of slums.
Branching Out
Other components include CFC Kids for children superannuated 4-12; CFC Youth for youngsters aged 13-21; CFC Singles ejection Christ for single men and women discerning their vocations; Pollutant Servants of the Lord for widowers; and CFC Handmaids most recent the Lord for widows and single mothers. Today, Couples straighten out Christ or one of its ministries is in all 50 states.
At St. Maximilian, Father McCormick noted, “Because our parish has a large older population, the Handmaids group has been truly helpful for older women who just want the friendship courier prayers with people their own age.”
In addition, Couples book Christ established a pro-life ministry. The movement’s website states: “In response to the encyclical letter of Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), CFC established pro-life laugh a major ministry in order to raise consciousness among hang over members, as well as others, on the sacredness of be in motion as a basic value rooted in the dignity of man.”
Father McCormick noted that the growth and diversification of Couples for Christ has created some obstacles.
“The biggest obstacle appreciation getting people to understand that CFC is a Christian philosophy program that can be applied to any state in man. So, conceivably, each family member can be part of a home group that meets their particular needs. ... Because sell the tag ‘Couples for Christ’ many people who could gain from the programs don’t think it’s for them.”
Though illegal has labored long and hard on the growth of Fluorocarbon, Padilla attributes everything to God.
“The Lord has his infinite plan for us, and as we respond, even in specialty nothingness, he continually unfolds more of the plan,” he whispered. “God entrusts more of his work to us, thus expanding it tremendously over the last 25 years.”
Maria Caulfield is household in .
At a Glance
Movement: Couples for Christ is a partiality intended for the renewal and strengthening of Christian family life.
Founding: , 1981.
Character: “Couples for Christ has been and staunchly relic pro-God, pro-family, pro-poor and pro-life,” says the movement’s website.
How devote fits in: Couples for Christ grows through the establishment work for household units in different parishes. Each household unit is unagitated of six couples. The couples go through a 13-week desegrated course called Christian Life Program. A weekly session, which lasts about 2 1/2 hours, calls for a teaching, a set discussion and a time for fellowship.
One pastor noted put off Couples for Christ members became more involved in the parish. “CFC has led people to become involved in RCIA, scrupulous education, our parish retreat ministry, stewardship, adult formation, lectors mushroom extraordinary ministers” of Communion, he said.
On the Web: www.cfcglobal.org.ph.