Continental Asia CFM / CFSM Report

Continental of Asia President Couple Mel and Emma Ricafrente of the Philippines

 

 

I.        CONTINENTAL MEMBERSHIP

 

A.     Current number of active ICCFM members countries* in your Continent

 

Ø      Five (5) countries are active namely:  Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India

Ø      Four (4) Countries including Malaysia, Pakistan, Hong Kong / Macau / China and South Korea are in touch. 

Ø      Oceana Continent specifically Australia is working closely with Continental Asia since 2006.

 

B.     Total Number of active families in the Continent

 

Ø      About 4,800 active families

 

 

II.     REPORT OF FUNCTIONS (JULY 2004 – JULY 2007)

 

July 2004 – July 2007 (3 yrs.): President Couple Mel and Emma Ricafrente

 

7.1.  To promote interaction between the Christian Family Movements in their area

 

A.     Frequency and purpose of distance communication with countries

 

Frequency: Monthly to Quarterly

Means: E-mail, Post office mails, Long Distance Telephone and Texting

 

B.     Number of Countries Visited since 2004

 

India (once)

Singapore (twice)

Australia of Oceana Continent visited the Philippines for exposure

 

C.     Continental Meetings

 

Ø      Bangalore, India last September 2003

6th Continental Asia CFM/CFSM Conference on

“The Christian Family…Challenges of the Present Times”

 

Ø      Singapore  last June 16-18 2006

7th Continental Asia CFM/CFSM Conference on

“The Challenges of Being Family in Asia Is a Joyful Mission”

 

 

 

 

7.2.  To promote and expand the life and spirit of the Christian Family Movement through   

         the National Teams

 

            This has to be strongly promoted and encouraged to reach and be prayed by all CFMers worldwide.

 

 

A.     Action taken to strengthen family spirituality as a Continent

 

CFMer of the Philippines under the aegis of Continental Asia CFM/CFSM prepared a booklet of Prayers for the Worldwide Prayer Project of ICCFM.

 

            The Worldwide Prayer Project of the International Confederation of Christian Family Movements or ICCFM is a 24-hour prayer chain to be participated in by CFM families worldwide.  The suggested time slot for praying is immediately before or after dinner, or approximately 1800H to 2000H (6:00 to 8:00 P.M.) in their respective time zones.  For each month there is one prayer for a specific group sector.  There are therefore 12 prayers for 12 target sectors for the entire year.  A prayer for the CFM Organization is included.

 

Promoting the strengthening of Families by couple and family prayer, living Christian lives at home or school and be witnesses to Christ.

 

Continental CFM Asia have established among the different countries linkages thereby promoting sharing of family life programs, trainors and other resources.

 

 

B.     Social action for the family apostolate undertaken as a Continent

 

Continental Asia CFM has resolved in its 2003 Continental Conference in India Social Action Resolution 2. Including 7.4.A

 

 

7.3.  To represent the Confederation at the Continental level

 

A.     Frequency of communication with other Continents

 

Thru Internet – Monthly

 

B.     Benefits gained for the Continent from this communication

 

Awareness, knowledge, learnings and inspiration to continue with CFM functions, projects, advance work and way of life.

 

 

 

 

7.4.  To represent the Christian Family Movements of its Continent at the General Assembly

         of the Confederation

 

A.     Three most essential Resolutions of the latest Continental Meeting in Singapore last  2006.

 

1.      Respond as Catholic Parents and Citizens to the developing Society and the World and always live out Christian values whenever possible.

2.      Enhance parental education and training in Gospel Values and Social Teachings of the Church as they serve as primary educators of their children.

3.      Emphasize simple living, sharing with others and Christian stewardship of God’s gift to the family.

 

 

B.     Three most essential resolutions of the previous Continental Meeting in India last 2003

 

1.      Networking and Capacity Building

 

To bring more family welfare activities under the inspirational aegis of the CFM wherever possible, including other programmes such as those comprised in FIRES, and to link appropriately with associations/ movements with similar objectives, in order to build a greater solidarity to fulfill our mission.

 

2.      Social Action

 

To identify critical micro/macro social issues that impact the family in our own local context, catalyze ourselves as instruments of change, and actively respond wherever appropriate at family, local, regional, national and international level as a CFM group in an effort to strengthen the movement.

 

3.      Animating CFM Meeting

 

To participate in more meaningful programmes / activities of the CFM in order to discern and fulfill our role and mission as Christian families and thereby inspire others to join the movement.

 

 

7.5.   To process applications for membership in the confederation of the Christian Family

         Movements located within their geographical area.  These applications shall be sent to

         the President Team of the Confederation to be submitted to the General Assembly.

 

Ø      Membership of – Hong Kong and South Korea may need confirmation

Ø      Application of Malaysia and Pakistan will be encouraged

 

7.6.  To cooperate with other organization concerned with the family, especially with those

        who are Associate or Supporting Members of the Confederation.

 

A.     Linkage with Federation of Continental Bishops Conference

 

Weak

 

B.     Linkages with FIRES

 

Active

 

C.     Linkages with other family organizations

 

Strong in some countries where CFMers are working closely under Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL) and Episcopal Commission on Lay Apostolate (ECLA) of the Catholic Bishop Conference of the country.

 

 

 

III.   Sharing of Ideas

 

A.     Funding strategies

 

Ø      Effective methods for membership fee collection

 

Letter of Appeal with personal verbal explanation and several follow-ups

 

Ø      Sponsored projects

 

Feasible in a Country but not Feasible for Continent

 

B.     Continental actions for family spirituality (e.g. Continental day of prayer) and for social service

 

Promote strong ICCFM Worldwide Prayer Project a 24-hour prayer chain by all CFMers Worldwide

 

 

 

Other Continental Matters

 

1.      Awardee for Exceptional Service to Continent and description of achievements

 

v     Joe and Charito Hilario of CFM Philippines who were the Continental Asia President in 1992 – 1998 are the 2007 awardees

 

v     SitoV and Sony Sison of CFM Philippines who started Continental Asia CFM serving as the President Couple in 1969 – 1981 were the 2004 awardees

 

2.      Comments on the following suggested future projects

 

v     exchange home stay for CFM youths (short visits)

 

System including procedures, guides instruction and forms of Surveying Volunteer Host Family and Matching Youth and Host Family should be established.

 

v     “adopt-a-unit” project (to help underprivileged CFM units)

 

Being conducted in country but difficult in Continental Asia due to economic status of most countries

 

v     Integration of CFM actions with our jobs (conscious intention)

 

Being promoted and done

Motivational stories are being compiled to improve promotion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported By:

 

 

 

 

 

Mel & Emma Ricafrente

 

President Couple

 

Continental Asia CFM

 

July 23, 2007