T&T Update 
 November / October 2004

News Flash

Christian Life Programs

Two parish CLPs culminated in October at Success Village and Morvant.  So to our new members Welcome to the Family we’re glad that you are here to share your life with us …….

Meanwhile St. Augustine launched its second Household CLP and our Evangelisation Team asks "When is your household going to start your household CLP?"

 

SFC General Assembly

On Saturday 25th of September, a seminar entitled Natural Family Planning  (NFP) versus Artificial Contraception was held at the Catholic Chaplaincy of the University of the West Indies.  Organized by Singles for Christ for their General Assembly, it was a follow up to their previous seminar on chastity, contraception, and abortion given in August.

 

The seminar was facilitated by Mr. and Mrs. Peter and Claire Charles of the St. Joseph Parish.  Mr. and Mrs. Charles have been married for 38 years and have five children of their own.  They are specialists in the Billings method of natural family planning and were taught by Mr. Billings himself in the 1960’s.  This fact along with the fact that the couple themselves had used varying methods of artificial contraception in the past before finally learning about and practicing the Billings Method made them perfect facilitators for this topic.

 

The Charles' presentation covered artificial contraception methods with their many shortcomings;  the Creator's purpose for sexual intercourse which was both procreative as well as unitive, for deepening love and intimacy between a married couple and the beauty of NFP as a method that encouraged the participation of both men and women, rather than having women playing the primary role of regulating pregnancy.  They highlighted the Church’s teaching on Natural Family Planning and after a video presentation invited questions from the floor.

 

All agreed that the seminar was very informative and appreciated the generosity of the Charles’, who for over 18 years have freely given of this knowledge in our Archdiocese. 

 

On Sat 11th December our Singles continue their series on Pro-Life Education and this time all of CFC is invited to learn how to share and defend the Church’s position on Pro-Life issues.  Time is confirmed as 9:00 am to 3:00 pm so walk with your lunch, but venue will be announced later.  The session on 11th December is entitled “Workers in the Vineyard”.

 

YFC & Fig-Leaves

And YFC were not to be left behind on PRO-LIFE training.  They were at “Fig-Leaves the Fatal Fashion” held at Fatima Parish Hall, Curepe on October 30th.  Apart from being present for the 4 part video series, questions to the panel and presentations from panel members, they also provided the music and led in praise and worship. 

 

 

Love, Life & the Family

But on a national level it was the Human Life International Conference titled “Love Life and the Family” that held everyone’s attention on November 5th – 7th at Crowne Plaza.  If you weren’t there you missed excellent presentations.  For summaries contact Darryl Grandisson, Francesca Monsegue or Nicole Rivers, just some of the Singles who made this conference their priority.  They are trained to deliver !!

 

IRO Peace March

Also on a national level, CFC was well represented by Couples, Singles, Handmaids and Youths at the national March for Peace organised by the Inter religious organization of Trinidad and Tobago.  Thanks to all who responded to our Archbishop’s call for support.

 

YFC Retreat Maraval

Maraval YFC hosted a YFC Camp on Saturday 2nd to Sunday 3rd October at Our Lady of Lourdes, Maraval.  Here is one participant’s review.  

 

YFC RetreatThis retreat reassured me of God’s love and His plan for me.  I learnt how to connect with Jesus in a more personal way.  It encouraged me to acknowledge myself as a sinner and to repent for my sins.  The retreat helped me to find peace in my heart, it helped me to find that missing link in my life, but most of all, it helped me to get closer to God in ways I never thought were possible.  This retreat gave me a lot of moral and spiritual values.  This was the best thing that ever happened to me in my 14 years and I will treasure the memories, the experiences and the friends forever.”  

So when next you hear of a YFC Camp or retreat do everything you can to get your young people there.!!

 

CFC Household Leaders Retreat

Sangre Grande was at it again. Carl Lara and Christopher Metevier delivered stirring, practical presentations at the CFC Household Leaders Retreat in St. John’s Village St. Augustine.  The occasion was a continuing series on Formation organised by the Leadership Formation Team which was formed last October.  The next episode is on November 27th.  See calendar below for details.

 

CFC Handmaids HOLD Retreat

Annual HOLD Retreat was held at Caroni Retreat Centre on October 20th – 31st.  There was inspiration in every form, the talks, the healing, the kaiso, the dog…Did you say dog?  Yes there was the doggie but you had to be there to experience it all.  So if you are lucky enough to be a CFC Handmaid and you missed this, you better plan early for next year October!!

 

CFC Caribbean Conference Countdown

10 months to go and our planning team is busy organizing for the Caribbean Conference due to take place in Trinidad next year.  Our “Eye-Spy” reporter scooped the following report from the planning  meeting.

·         D Theme:  The theme of the 2005 Conference is "God is Enough!", which is taken from Psalm 23:1. "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack." 

·         D Date: The conference date is set for Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th  August 2005, beginning with the Handmaid’s Caribbean Conference on Thursday 11th (details still to be worked out) and continuing with the CFC Caribbean Conference Friday thru Sunday. 

·         D Fees:  The proposed Conference Fee for T&T residents is Adults TT$200.00 Youth TT$100.00

 

It was proposed and agreed that in order to reduce the burden of payment all T&T members should tithe $10 (YFC - $5) each per month, starting November 2004. This would be collected and submitted by the household leaders. T&T members contributing $10 per month from November’04 to August’05, will only be required to pay a conference fee of TT$100 (YFC - $50). It is hoped that members will continue tithing beyond the conference, and not view it strictly as an installment payment for the conference fee. If a member starts tithing after November, he will be required to make up the shortfall for the conference fee. Of course members are encouraged to tithe more than the $10 per month if they so desire.

·         D Venue: Conference venues presently being considered are as follows:

(a.)       JFK Hall at UWI  and          (b.)  Centre for Excellence

·         D Wuk:  Conference Committee heads are to begin planning and recruiting committee members.  So don’t be surprised if you are called.

 

CFC 7th Anniversary

CFC 7th Anniversary celebrations will not be limited to one day of Family Fun but 7 days activities in various units.  See calendar below for details of the dates and hosts but remember they still climax with Mass and Family Day on Sunday  23rd January 2005

 

May God Bless !  

·         Our Singles who have been labouring in the vineyard spearheading our education and conversion into a Culture of Life. 

 

Faith Facts

Well it is officially here, the Year of the Eucharist started on October 10 2004.  So brush up on your knowledge and appreciation of the Eucharist by visiting http://YearOfTheEucharist.com.  

Notes to self - remember to…

·         copy this Update to my fellow CFC members without e-mail

·         tithe my $10.00 

·         check calendar below for CFC happenings and support with PRAYER AND PRESENCE                           

 

Calendar of Events  

Event

Date

Venue

Time

COST

         

Singles Meeting

Fri 11th Nov

A.G.’s office, ask for Sean Julien from the 1st Floor

5:00 pm

free

CFC Unit & Council Leaders

Strategic Planning Session 2004/2005

Sat 13th Nov

Retreat Centre,

Mt. St. Benedict

 9.00 am – 3.00 pm

Your Lunch

CFC Household Leaders Retreat

Sat  27th Nov

St. John’s Parish Hall, 

 St. Augustine

 9:00 am - noon

Refreshments 

         

Workers in the Vineyard –  

Pro Lifers Training Hosted by SFC - ALL CFC MEMBERS INVITED

Sat 11 Dec

To be announced

 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Your Lunch

SFC LYMIN’

 Kayaking and Archery in Chaguaramas. 

Sun 28th Nov

Kayak Centre, Chaguaramas 

9:30am

Walk with Kayak fee  $25. - $30.

and Lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

CFC 7th Anniversary  Week of Activities Hosted by Various Units 

Mon 17th – Sat 22nd

Jan 2005

Various Units Outlined below

To be announced

To be announced

 

Mon 17th  

Tue 18th

Wed 19th


Thur 20th  

Fri 21st

Sat 22nd

Host Unit: San Juan 

Host Unit: Maraval/Paramin

Host Unit: Sangre Grande 

Host Unit: Arouca

Host Unit: St. Augustine

Host Unit: Diego Martin

To be announced

To be announced

CFC T&T Family Day 7th Anniversary

 

Sun 23rd Jan 2005

To be announced

 8:30 am Holy Mass

Your Lunch

1st CFC Handmaids Mini Caribbean Conference

  August 11th 2005

To be announced

 8:30 am registration 

Included in fee below 

  

6th CFC Caribbean Conference

  August 12th – 14th 2005

To be announced 

 6:00 pm registration 

$200.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May God Bless us All

Communications Team

Check out our Archives:  July Update    August Update    September Update


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