THE 9TH WORLD ASSEMBLY THE
13TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF CHRISTIAN FAMILY MOVEMENTS
July 28 – 30, 2004
The International Confederation of Christian Family
Movements (ICCFM) was formed in Caracas, Venezuela in 1986, with the aim of
helping its members live their human and Christian vocations and bear witness
to the essential values of the family, based upon the Faith as announced by the
Gospel and proposed by the teachings of the Catholic Church. The Confederation is composed of three types
of members that fulfill the requirements established in its Constitution.
Full members of the Confederation are Christian Family
Movements (CFM) which meet the following basic characteristics even though they
may be called by other names.
1.
They are organized in small groups of couples,
families, solo parents, widows, etc.,
who seek to become genuine family communities and work together with their chaplains
to promote mutual growth.
2.
They meet regularly, participating in a formative
process of Observe, Judge and Act in the light of God’s word.
3.
They witness and minister to all families, especially
to those in difficult situations such as the suffering and the poor.
Associate members are lay organizations which share the
Christian ideals of the ICCFM and which are involved in working for the family.
Supporting members are those organizations or centers
which share the Christian ideals of the ICCFM and which are involved in the
study, research and promotion of the family.
www.iccfm.org
ICCFM Mission
The mission of the International Confederation of
Christian Family Movements (ICCFM) is to promote, encourage, and help the
Christian Family Movements so that the organizations and their members live
their human and Christian vocations and bear witness to the essential values of
the family, based upon the faith as announced by the Gospel and proposed by the
teachings of the Catholic Church. The
ICCFM shall support the expansion of the CFM in those countries where it is
established and shall try to establish it where it does not exist.
The ICCFM is committed to provide leadership to the
worldwide local community-based CFM in the total development of the family and
does this by:
1.
Formulating and implementing the ICCFM Strategic Plan
in a participatory and decentralized
manner with the continental and national CFM Councils.
2.
Facilitating and promoting effective and efficient
communication between the International Council (IC) and the Continental
Councils (CC), between and among the IC’s, and between the IC and the National
Councils (NC).
3.
Promoting effective communication and partnership
between the CFM and other Church
endorsed organizations that are promoting the development of the family.
4.
Developing resources, generating and managing the
implementation and evaluation of global CFM development programs.
www.iccfm.org
ICCFM Member Countries
The ICCFM has affiliated organizations in the following
continents and in 46 countries
worldwide as of 2004.
Continent Families Countries
Asia 4,000 Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia,
Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka,Thailand
Europe 3,990 Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain
Latin America
80,000 Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia,
Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic,
Ecuador,
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
Uraguay,
Venzeuela
North
America 4,000 Canada, United States
Oceania 5 Australia
Official
Recognition
The
International Confederation of Christian Family Movements is recognized by
The
Pontifical Council on the Laity as a private association and has been granted
Consultative
Status II as an NGO by the United Nations.
The various elements of
the ICCFM
are recognized by the national Roman Catholic Conferences in many
countries.
THE 9TH WORLD AND 13TH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE ICCFM
The 9th
World Assembly and the 13th General Assembly of the ICCFM was held
on
the campus
of the University of Santa Clara in Santa Clara, California, USA from
July 28
through August 1, 2004. The 9th
World Assembly, a thematic
process
utilizing the Observe, Judge and Act methodology, began at 2 pm on July
28 and
closed at 5 pm on July 30, 2004. The 13th
General Assembly, the business
meeting of
the ICCFM, was held on July 31, 2004 at the same location.
A community
brunch was held on August 1, 2004 followed by the closing liturgy.
Delegates
from 18 countries attended the ICCFM Assemblies. Average daily
delegate
attendance was 150. The delegates
represented the following countries:
AFRICA Ghana
ASIA Japan,
Phillipines, Thailand
EUROPE Croatia,
Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain
LATIN AMERICA Columbia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico,
Panama,
Peru
NORTH AMERICA Canada, United States
ICCFM
HYMN
The ICCFM
Hymn was officially introduced to the 9th World Assembly at the
Opening
Ceremony. The hymn, performed for the
first time, was composed by
Yolanda
Jurado of MFC Columbia and translated to English by Elma Muangroot
of Thailand.
CHORUS
Let us sing
together joyfully
For the
Church and for the family
Let us cast
our nets into the sea
To gather
all humanity.
Verse
I
To serve the
world is our resolve
To be in
homes a voice of hope
With open
hands able to help
All families
are in our scope.
Verse II
To form in
all a joyous power
Together
seek a loving union
Tell the
world our firm intention
And fulfill
our social mission
Verse III
We come from
different continents
Pledging a
friendly harmony
Our goal to
form communities
May soon
become a reality
Verse IV
As in the
home of Nazareth
All united
in work and commitment
So we spread
the Confederation
Of Christian
Family Movements
Verse V
We are the
Christian Family Movements!
KEY
FEATURES OF THE 9TH WORLD ASSEMBLY OF THE ICCFM
Theme Statement
and Observe, Judge, Action Process
The World
Assembly theme was Family: Artisans
of an Evolving Society. The
assembly
used the traditional Cardijn methodology of Observe—Judge—Act
to discern
the role of authentic partners as co-creators in an emerging world
society. The focus was on the true meaning of the
Christian marriage
relationship
and its responsibility for addressing the challenges of a
contemporary
society being transformed in a post-modern age. Specifically,
the World
Assembly will reaffirm the value of married life and the
Christian
family in critiquing and redirecting society’s shift in a
technological era.
Based on the theme statement, Observe questions were
distributed to the world membership prior to the Assembly. The Observe questions were:
1.
In your country, what are the cultural-specific reasons
that people marry?
2.
What is the role of marriage and family life within the
culture of your country?
3.
What is the impact of Christian marriage on your
culture?
4.
What impact do government, church and culture have on
marriage and family life in your country?
5.
What do you think marriage and family life will be like
in the future?
6.
What is the true meaning of Christian marriage?
The attendees were assigned to one of six Action
groups, three in Spanish and three in
English. Each country presented the
responses from their country.
The Judge questions utilized by the Action group leaders
were:
1.
How is the culture of marriage different in your
country from the message in
the Gospel and Church documents?
2.
How is the Christian theology of marriage relevant
today? In the future?
3.
How can we bring marriage and family life more in line
with the scriptures and church documents?
The Action groups presented the results of their
discussion in resolution form which were analyzed, summarized and presented by
Dr. Kenneth Weare to the membership as part of the agenda of the 13th General Assembly of the ICCFM on July 31,
2004.
Prayer and
Liturgical Celebrations
Each day of the Assembly was begun with a eucharistic
liturgy. The various continents were in
charge of the liturgies. Each liturgy followed
the
readings of the day. The celebration of the liturgy
served to gather the
delegates together to begin the day of inspiration,
understanding and service.
There were 18 priests who concelebrated at the opening,
closing and daily liturgies.
Homestay
Each delegate had the option to homestay with a family in
the Santa Clara-San Jose area for each of the nights of the two
Assemblies. More than half of the
delegates chose to homestay with a family.
The remainder of the delegates were housed in the Beverly Heritage Hotel
or alternative hotels.
Delegates chose to homestay and share hospitality with a
family as well as to reduce their costs.
The delegates were delivered each morning to the Assembly site and
picked up in the evening by their host family. The delegates expressed their appreciation for the genuine
hospitality of their families. Most of the international delegates homestayed
with a family which added to the enrichment of their experience.
Dinner at Home
with an American Family
The planning committee arranged for each delegate to have
dinner with
an American family on the third evening of the
Assembly. This experience provided the
opportunity to enjoy dinner and a social evening in an American CFM/MFC
family’s home.
American Style BBQ in the park
On the second evening of the Assembly, the delegates were
transported by bus to
Vascona County Park for an American Style BBQ and entertainment. The BBQ followed an afternoon of Observing
at the Sacred Heart Community Center and the Catholic Charities Center in the
Santa Clara Valley.
Past
Presidents of the ICCFM in Attendance
Three former
Presidents of the International Confederation of Christian Family Movements
were in attendance at the Assemblies.
Rolly Lereux attended from Canada.
He and his wife Isabelle (deceased)
were the Presidents for the period 1977 through 1983. Wayne and Sue Hamilton from the United
States, Presidents 1989 through 1995, were present and participated in the
planning for the Assemblies. Jose and
Margarita Pich from Spain also attended.
They were Presidents of the
ICCFM from1996 through 2001.
Assembly Music
Performances
During the assembly music was provided by various persons
and groups. At the opening ceremony of
the 9th World and 13th General Assembly, music was
performed by Mary Mauer and Friend. At
the gathering times in the morning and after lunch a large group of delegates
formed a musical and singing group to entertain and provide spiritual music for
the delegates to the Assembly.
Gala Closing Celebration
The two Assemblies closed with a Gala Celebration on
Saturday evening. A lovely dinner was
served followed by a program. Peter and
Carolyn Broeren, USA served as the
Master of Ceremonies for the gala event.
Nop and Elma Muangroot presented gifts of appreciation to the members
who participated in the planning and implementation of the World and General
Assemblies The highlight of the evening
was a show presented by an Elvis Impersonator (Marlon “Ultimate Elvis Experience”) from California. People danced and enjoyed the songs of Elvis Presley. There was a photo opportunity with Elvis
following the performance.
Fatima, Portugal 2007 Next
Assembly Site
It was announced that the 10th World and 14th
General Assembly will be held in Fatima, Portugal in July-August of 2007.
AGENDA
ICCFM 9TH WORLD ASSEMBLY
July 28 – July
30, 2004
Santa Clara
University
Santa Clara,
California, USA
Theme:
Family: Artisans of an Evolving
Society
10:00
to 6 pm Registration
2:00
pm Opening
Ceremonies
Opening prayer Gary and Kay Aitchison, USA, Assembly Chairs
Welcomes: Welcome from ICCFM
North America, Gary and
Kay Aitchison, North America
Representatives
Nop and Elma
Muangroot, Presidents ICCFM
Bishop
Patrick McGrath, San Jose Diocese, USA
Dr. H. Richard
McCord, USCCB, USA
Patricia
Mahan, Mayor Santa Clara, CA, USA
Presentation of Blessing from the
Vatican, Bishop Patrick McGrath
Parade of Nations Kay and
Gary Aitchison, Elma Maungroot, Thailand, Msgr.Charles Vella, Malta
Performance of the ICCFM Hymn
Liturgy of the Waters, Fr. Sam Palmer, North America Chaplain
4:00
pm Call
to Order: Nop and Elma Muangroot, ICCFM
Presidents
Observe
Presentation I
Cardinal Joseph Cardijn Presentation
Paul and Jane Leingang, Fr. Don Conroy
Executive Directors and National
Chaplain CFM USA
Introduced by Peter and Jane
Buchbauer, Presidents CFM USA
5:00
pm Dinner
7:00
pm Observe
Presentation II
Evolution of Marriage and the Family
Dr. Frank Sicius, St. Thomas University, Miami, Fl, USA
Introduced by Mario and Margarita
Figuereo, Presidents
MFC USA
9:30
pm Host
family pickup
8:00
am to 12:00 Registration
9:00
am Liturgy
of the Day
Host:
North America
10:30
am Observe Presentation III
Christian Theology of Marriage and
Family
Dr. Julie Hanlon Rubio, St.
Louis University, USA
Introduced by Wayne and Sue
Hamilton, Past Presidents
of ICCFM, USA
12:00 Book
signing with Dr. Julie Hanlon Rubio
1:15
pm Observe
IV – An Exposure Trip
1)
Sacred Heart Community Center
2)
Catholic Charities, Santa Clara Valley
5:00
pm Vasona
County Park Firefighters Western American BBQ
9:30
pm Host
family and hotel pickup
8:15
am Liturgy
of the Day
Host:
Latin America
8:30
am Meeting
of the OJA group facilitators
Fr. Ken Weare CFM USA
Wayne and Sue Hamilton CFM USA
9:00 am Instruction and assignment to groups
for Observe – Judge –Action
Process. The Action group
leaders were:
1
Melito and Emma Ricafrente, Philippines English
2
Balazs and Krizstina Menesi, Hungary English
3
Steve and Nichole Vandervoort, CFM USA English
4
Emilio y Yolanda Wong, Panama Spanish
5
Jose y Maria Ellena Marin, MFC LA USA Spanish
6
Jose y Margarita Pich, Spain Spanish
12:00 Lunch
1:30
pm Continuation
of the OJA process. Preparation of
resolutions for
Action
5:00
pm Closing
ceremony of the 9th World Assembly of the ICCFM
Elma and Nop Muangroot, ICCFM Presidents
5:30
pm Meet
Host families for dinner and the evening with an American
family
AGENDA
ICCFM
13th General Assembly
July 31, 2004
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara,
California, USA
All
Day Registration
8:10
am Liturgy
of the Day
Host:
Asia
9:00
am 13th
General Assembly Morning Session
Presiders: Nop and Elma Muangroot, International Presidents
Opening of the 13th General
Assembly and reports
Presidents Report: Nop and Elma Muangroot, Thailand
Chaplain Report: Msgr Charles Vella, Italy
Past President Report:
Jose and Margarita Pich, Spain
Treasurer Report: Peter and
Carolyn Broeren, USA
Special Representatives: Wayne and Sue Hamilton, USA
FIRES Report: Fr. Donan Murray, Japan
10:45 am Report
of the Vatican and UN Representatives:
Tony and
Lillie Gauci, Malta
Continental Reports
Africa:
Wayne and Sue Hamilton, Representatives, USA
Asia: Mel and Emma
Ricafrente, Philippines
Europe: George and M’Louise Sammut, Malta
Latin America: William and Esilda Cheng, Columbia
North America: Gary
and Kay Aitchison, USA
Country Reports
11:50
am Report on Action Statements by
OJA groups Fr. Ken Weare, CFM
USA
12:00
Lunch
1:30
pm 13th
General Assembly Afternoon Session
Country Reports continued
3:15
pm Approval
of Resolutions
Election
of President Couple
Remembrance
of Departed ICCFM Members
Selection
of Site for 2007
Acknowledgements
and appreciation to the planning
and working committees for the Assemblies
Closing
of the 13th General Assembly
4:30
pm Free
time and preparation for Gala Celebration
6:30
pm Reception/Dinner/Gala
Celebration
Entertainment
MC:
Peter and Carolyn Broeren, USA
Refreshments and social hour
Prayer – Fr. Bill Young, USA
Gala Dinner
ICCFM Raffle
Recognition of national and local planning teams
Entertainment by Elvis
Impersonator
Photos with Elvis
9:00 am ICCFM
Secretariat Meeting, Nop and Elma Muangroot, Presiding
11:00
am Sunday
Brunch on the lawn of Santa Clara University
1:00
am Closing
of the 9th World and 13th General Assembly of the ICCFM
Celebration of the Closing
Liturgy at the Mission
Santa Clara de Asis
Celebrant: Msgr Charles Vella, Malta
Speaker: Harolding the Future: ICCFM Family
Spirituality, Msgr. Charles Vella, Malta
Homilist: Fr. Raphael Davila, MFC USA
Offeratory led by Andy and
Martha Maurer, USA
accompanied by one President
Couple
per Continent with the
Action resolutions
from the 9th World Assembly and approved by the 13th
General Assembly.
Presentation
of the Cardinal Cardijn Award to:
Tony and Lillie Gauci, Malta
Fr. Samuel I. Palmer, USA
Presentation of Presidential Awards for
Exceptional Service
3:00
pm Final
Departure of delegates
2004 ICCFM PROGRAM
PLANNERS AND FACILITATORS
ICCFM
Presidents Elma
and Nop Muangroot, Thailand
ICCFM
Vice Presidents: Carlos
and Magda Hita, Brazil
ICCFM
Treasurers: Carolyn
and Peter Broeren, USA
ICCFM
Chaplain: Msgr. Charles Vella, Italy
ICCFM
Program Chairs: Kay and Gary Aitchison, USA
ICCFM 2004 ASSEMBLY PLANNING COMMITTEE*
______________________________________________________________________________________
Program Committee:
Sue and Wayne Hamilton
Kay and Gary Aitchison
Carolyn and Peter Broeren
Elma and Nop Muangroot
Fr. Ken Weare
Finance and Registration:
Peter Broeren
Martha and Andy Maurer
Andy Pozdol
Facilities and Hotel:
Martha and Andy Maurer
Kay and Gary Aitchison
Carolyn and Peter Broeren
Sue and Wayne Hamilton
Transportation Services:
Martha and Andy Maurer
Translation Services:
Martha and Andy Maurer
Carolyn and Peter Broeren
Prayer and Worship:
Fr. Sam Palmer
Fr. William Young
Msgr. Charles Vella
Gala Dinner Event:
Sue and Wayne Hamilton
Kay and Gary Aitchison
Carolyn and Peter Broeren
Martha and Andy Maurer
Elma and Nop Muangroot
Vatican and Church:
Msgr. Charles Vella
Fr. Don Conroy
Fr. Raphael Davila
Fr. William Young
Marketing:
Kay and Gary Aitchison
Margarita and Mario Gavidia
Juanita and Mario Figuero
Mary Elena and Mario Marin
Joseph Cardijn Award:
Sue and Wayne Hamilton
Msgr. Charles Vella
* All of the above committee persons were from CFM USA or MFC USA
except for Secretariat members.
ICCFM
2004 ASSEMBLY LOCAL COMMITTEE**
______________________________________________________________________________________
Local Committee Chairs: Martha and Andy Maurer
BBQ Vasona: Jane and Jack Leuder
Gift Bags: Linda and Jose Garcia
Pat Joshi
Suzanne Regul
Jan Wedig
Housing-English Speaking: Margie Murchan
Housing-Spanish Speaking: Dario Saenz
Anabel and Florention Sanchez
Liturgy: Fr. Sam Palmer
Suzanne Regul
Meal Ticket Collection: Mayra
Ledesma
Mary Ann and Jack Marinshaw
Vera Verduzco
Offsite Social Outreach: Margie
Murchan
Susan Gavidia
Joanne and O. B. Roger O’Brien
Betty and Eric Watje
Photography: Rich Hendrickson
Registration: Linda and
Jose Garcia
Andy Maurer
Lynn and Ed Puccinelli
Suzanne and Tom Regul
Maria and Dario Saenz
Anabel and Florentino Sanchez
Setup: Pat Joshi
Ed and Lynn Puccinelli
Suzanne and Tom Regul
Site-SCU Logistics: Martha and Andy Maurer
Priest/Deacon Stoles: Margaret
Henrickson
Transportation – English: Jack Leuder
Larry Murchan
Tom Regal
Transportation – Spanish: Maria and Arnulfo Ledesma
Transportation – SFO Airport: Margarita and Mario Gavidia
**All
of the above committee members are from CFM USA and MFC USA, San Jose Diocese,
CA.
2004
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS AND ASSISTANCE
______________________________________________________________________________________
ICCFM
Presidents Elma
and Nop Muangroot
ICCFM
Chaplain Msgr. Charles Vella
ICCFM
Treasurer Carolyn
and Peter Broeren
ICCFM
North America Representatives Kay
and Gary Aitchison
ICCFM
North America Chaplain Fr. Sam Palmer
ICCFM
Recording Secretaries Emma and Melito Ricofrente
ICCFM
Assembly Chairs Kay and Gary Aitchison
ICCFM
Program Chairs Sue and Wayne Hamilton
ICCFM
Operations Chairs Martha and Andy Maurer
Coordinator
of the OJA Process Fr. Ken Weare
Sue and Wayne Hamilton
Action
Group Leaders 1. Emma and Melito Ricafrente English
2. Krizstina and Balazs Menesi English
3. Nichole and Steve Vandervoort English
4. Yolanda y Emilio Wong Spanish
5. Maria Ellena y Jose Marin Spanish
6. Margarita y Jose Pich Spanish
Program
MC Kay and Gary Aitchison
Margarita and Mario Gavidia
Assistance
for Program Pat
and Frank Gacnik
Mary Lou and Phil Gorman
Shiela and Ed Osterhaus
Speaker
Introductions Jane
and Peter Buckbauer
Speaker
Introductions Margarita
and Mario Figuereo
Speaker
Introductions Sue
and Wayne Hamilton
Entertainment
Arrangements: Sue and Wayne Hamilton
MC
Gala Celebration: Carolyn
and Peter Broeren
Respectfully
submitted,
Gary
and Kay Aitchison
ICCFM
North
American Representatives and Assembly Chairs
-