COUNTRY REPORT INDIA

 

 

National Presidents: CARMEN & CYRIL D’SOUZA

National Chaplain: Rev. Fr. SOCORRO MENDES

 

 

I.                    Membership

 

            Based on the ICCFM Constitution, ICCFM membership is defined as follows:

 

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:

A. 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.

B. They meet regularly, participating in a formative process of Observe, Judge, and Act in the light of God’s word. 

C. They witness and minister to all families, especially to those in difficult situations such as the suffering and the poor.

 

 

A.     Name and/or names of ICCFM member groups in your country:

 

            CHRISTIAN FAMILY MOVEMENT

_________________________________________________________

 

 

B. Types of members: (check as applicable)

 

_____  Couples

140      Families

_____ Solo parents

_____ Widows, widowers, etc.

 

 

Number of active families (Please count a solo parent or a widow, widower, etc., as one family):

 

   140 families

 

 

C. Frequency of meetings

 

 

 ONCE Every month

 

 

 

 

D. Top three family evangelization or family ministry services in your country

 

___MARRIAGE FORMATION COUSES AT PARISH LEVEL

 

___CATECHESIS AT PARISH LEVEL

 

___SESSIONS AND PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS

 

 

 

II.                  List of Actions on the 2004 World Assembly Resolutions (as applicable to your country)

 

 

Resolution No. 1

We resolve to promote the vision, values and virtues of Christian Marriage and family through prayer:

In the family – Encouraging member families to compulsorily have a family prayer time and at least recite the rosary together. Encourage the children to read a scripture passage everyday and reflect on it with the help of the daily flash. To participate in the Eucharist, as often as possible, as a family by sitting together.

 

In the Church - CFM members actively participate in the parish committees and activities. They help in family ministries and conduct informative sessions for parents. Giving more importance to the Liturgy and spiritual aspects rather than ceremonial.

 

And   In society – By being exemplary couples and families.

                                         Reciting a prayer at the beginning and at the end of a meeting  .

At celebrations and occasions make the proceedings more       meaningful and enjoyable rather than just an occasion to indulge.        

 

Resolution No. 2

We resolve to promote the vision, values and virtues of Christian marriage and family through action:

 in the family  - At least one family meal together everyday.

                            At least one family outing if not every week at least once a month.

                           Encourage visits to the aged and sick relatives, friends neighbours.          

 in the church  - Marriage renewal sessions

                             Talks and sessions to parents

                             Teaching of catechism etc. in the parishes

 

and in society -  participation in Gram Panchayat meetings.

                              Representing for better sewage and garbage disposal.

                            

 

 

III.                The Present and the Future

 

A.  Most notable country achievements in 2004 – 2007

·        Enrichment of Christian life (family spirituality)

The regular meetings, outings, and get together have helped families bond. Through these occasions importance of family prayer, bible reading, attending the Eucharist, spending quality time together, imbibing christain values and practicing them at all times is impressed. Many of  the CFM couples are actively involved in various activities at the parish level.

·        Evangelization of other families (O-J-A)

Starting a National Family magazine – “Family Trove” containing the teachings of the church on family, meeting papers and discussions, sharings and happenings in the CFM. This magazine is distributed to all the diocese in India.

Celebrating Family Day in the parishes on the feast of the Holy Family in December – bringing together families of the parish in an atmosphere of love, caring, sharing and fun.

 

 

 

  1. One concrete “2007 - 2010 Plan of Action” for the survival and/or expansion of the CFM evangelization mission in your country

 

IN INDIA WE PLAN TO EXPAND THE CFM TO OTHER PLACES/REGIONS :

a)     BY WRITING TO ALL THE BISHOPS OFFERING TO    ESTABLISH A GROUP IN THE DIOCESE.

b)     DISTRIBUTING THE CFM NATIONAL MAGAZINE “ FAMILY TROVE” TO ALL DIOCESE AND PARISHES SO THAT FAMILIES OUTSIDE THE CFM CAN BENEFIT FROM THE SHARING OF THE CFM MEMBERS.

c)      LAYING MORE STRESS ON THE ‘ACT’ ESPECIALLY GROUP ACTION WHICH WOULD BRING MORE FULFILLMENT TO GROP MEMBERS AND  ATTRACT MORE FAMILIES TO BECOME CFM MEMBERS – ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.