Focus on your mission and witness of Christian family life to society. That was the essential message from Archbishop Edward Gilbert to members of the Couples For Christ (CFC) Ministries at the opening Mass of the 11^th Annual CFC Conference. Last weekend’s (July 16-18) conference was held at the Daaga Hall Auditorium, University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

The conference, which had as its theme Fullness of Life in Christ (Col 2: 6-7), opened with a parade of flags of participating countries: Antigua, Aruba, Curaçao, Jamaica, St Maarten, St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Lucia, Canada, United States, the Philippines and hosts Trinidad and Tobago. The popular World Cup 2010 song, Waving Flag by Canada-based Somalian artiste K’naan, was used for this segment.

Seated in the auditorium were regional members of the various CFC ministries like Couples For Christ, Kids for Christ, Youth for Christ, Singles for Christ, Handmaids of the Lord and Servants of the Lord.

On Friday evening, July 16, 2010, I celebrated the opening liturgy for the Caribbean Conference of Couples for Christ at the University of the West Indies (CFC Caribbean conference in T&T - Jul 25). Since the issues in my homily are related to the Family Life agenda of the Synod, I am using my column this week to share the text of my homily.

My Sisters and Brothers,
I welcome everyone to the 11th Caribbean Conference of Couples for Christ. I extend a special welcome on behalf of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain to our guests from other islands. I acknowledge with respect the dignity of Couples for Christ as an International Private Association of Christ’s Faithful that is recognised by the Vatican. I am truly grateful for the witness and ministry that Couples for Christ provides to the Archdiocese.