THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF COUPLES FOR CHRIST (AUSTRALIA) OCEANIA MISSION LTD We are in FACEBOOK
November 28, 2015, Mary MacKillop Centre, North Sydney marked the first ever Couples for Christ Lay-Clergy Congress. It brought together CFC leaders and men of the cloth to be not just partners in pastoral care, but partners in preparing the young to embrace the religious vocation. CFC International Council's Bro. Rouquel Ponte's talk on THE ROLE of the LAITY as SEEDBED of FAITH and VOCATIONS set the tone of the Congress for the 10 religious and nearly 200 leaders of CFC nationally. The Laity are branches engrafted to Christ, the true vine. The call is to grow as a unique part of the greater ecclesial community. Witnessings from seminarians Kristone Capistrano, and Noel Custodio (Sydney), Joshua Scott (Yass) and the mention of the growing number of YFC and SFC members (now around 16) who are embracing religious life and training in various states of Australia encouraged the listeners to persevere in the culture and covenant of community life.
Archbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart opened the second talk on The ROLE of the RELIGIOUS in GOD'S VINEYARD. He stressed the different charism of the ecclesial movements that make up our church today. He commended CFC for its role in the works of evangelization, how the heart of the Church is molded in the heart of the home and family.
A sharing on the joy and challenges of a young priest in a post far away from home. Fr. Francis Montero, former SFC, now pastors in Port Pirie, South Australia.
Concluding mass was celebrated by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana together with the invited priests and Archbishop Porteous. CFC Leaders Summit opened in the evening at the same venue and continued the next day at St Mark's, Stanhope Gardens. Agenda: 2015 in review and directions for 2016.
~Josie Pangilinan