PASTORAL
CHRISTIAN FAMILY AND SOCIAL MOVEMENT
The Christian Family and Social Movement (CFSM) started in 1963 with family / neighbourhood groups in the Tanglin / Queenstown area which was initiated by Ex-YCW leaders as a Christian apostolate movement. Today, there are 13 CFSM groups in Singapore.
CFSM emphasizes on continuous development of the Catholic faith through the sharing of life experiences, reflecting on the teaching of the church and the Bible. It challenges us to be a responsible and committed Christian each day. In our family, at work, in our neighbourhoods, in society and wherever we are. CFSM uses the See, Judge and Act method for members to better understand the Catholic faith and our lives. Over the years, CFSM has documented & compiled life experiences of families for the families to learn and to follow good Christian principles and values practices for the betterment of our family and others.
CFSM is affiliated to the World Movement of Christian Workers (WMCW) and the International confederation of Christian Family Movement (ICCFM).
For more information, visit http://www.cfsm.org.sg/index.php.
Aims
a. To promote among adult people a lay apostolate as defined by the teaching of the Catholic Church.
b. To promote among the Catholics a consciousness of their role and responsibilities in society where they strive to perform their domestic, social and professional duties in a Christian spirit.
c. To work and co-operate with all men in the promotion of whatever is true, just and charitable for the common goal in justice, peace, charity and respect for human dignity, irrespective of race, creed or culture.
Activities
a. Monthly Family Group meetings.
b. Two Faith Formation sessions.
c. Annual family Outing.
d. Labour Day Celebration.
For more information, please contact Francis Mane at 9370 4663 (francismane@hotmail.com)
Or John Tan at 9106 7713 (ej_sj@hotmail.com).
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MIGRANT COMMUNITY
The increase of migrant workers has been primarily triggered by dire economic conditions and lack of opportunities for development in countries of origin. As a group, migrant workers face greater vulnerabilities compared with nationals. Living outside of their country of origin and confronted with an uncertain reception in the country where they work, migrants encounter problems and challenges without as much access to support systems compared with non-migrants.
In the words of John Paul II, the parish "is a privileged expression of community…the place where all the members of the community come together and interact" (Message for World Migrant's Day, 1999). The Catholic Church has deepened the awareness that the care of migrant workers characterizes the way of being Church today Our Church, in a multi-ethnic, religious and cultural setting, shares the message of hope and life to the migrant workers.
How can our parish welcome migrant workers?
Welcoming migrant workers within the Church and particularly in our parish is important. In this regard, our experience in the workplace and community is clearly revealing in that migrant workers are welcome only to the extent that they are useful. The recent economic crisis has revealed in dramatic forms that once the conditions of the economy change, migrant workers easily become the scapegoat and even are blamed for the increasing rate of unemployment. How do we change the communities understanding of migrant workers as commodities to welcoming them as persons?
The IMC hopes to further facilitate and promote the participation and ‘belonging’ of all migrant workers as well as nurturing welcome in our parish community. Promote more pastoral and social care to migrant workers including social initiatives ranging from sacramental care (liturgical celebrations and prayers in their vernacular language) to medical services, legal aid and counseling.
As Pope John Paul II asks, “How can the baptized claim to welcome Christ if they close the door to the foreigner who comes knocking?” (Message for World Migration Day, 1999) The IMC invites all concern laypersons to come and share in the mission of pastoral care of migrant workers. Let’s welcome Christ’s hidden presence in the stranger in our midst - the migrant workers in our parish.
For more information, please contact Clive Ng at 9780 7435 or Francis Mane at 9370 4663 (francismane@hotmail.com)
Or John Tan at 9106 7713 (ej_sj@hotmail.com).
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MINISTRY OF BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
The Ministry of Bereavement Support assists the members of the bereaved families by:
1. Offering support for the bereaved families by visitation services.
2. Providing help in terms of advice on funeral rites.
For more information, please contact Paul Tan at 9027 1888 (paul.tan.kog@gmail.com)
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MINISTRY OF CONSOLATION
The Ministry of Consolation group supports members of the bereaved family with their prayerful presence and encouragement, helping them to deal with the loss of their loved ones by organising and leading prayer services during the wakes. The prayer services are held nightly at 8 pm during the wakes and the members in the group support the prayer services as and when they are available.
We are a Ministry that does not have any monthly meetings. We inform members of the prayer services via SMS or a phone call and members are not obliged to attend every night of the prayer services as we understand that members do have their own personal commitment as well.
We hope to recruit more members in each of the following zones (Boon Lay, Jurong West Ave 1 and Jurong Extension) so that members can join in the prayer services in the zone they reside to reduce traveling time to the wakes.
Feel free to come forward and join our Ministry by giving us your contact no. and the zone you reside and we will inform you via SMS or a call on the details of the prayer services.
For more information,please contact Joseph Koh at 9088 4416 (joekoh4416@yahoo.com.sg)
Or Barbara Tay at 9829 9107 (barbtay@hotmail.com).
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MINISTRY FOR THE SICK
This ministry welcomes parishioners with love and concern for the sick and house bound to join us.
Duties:
• To visit them and bring the love of God to touch the sick in Jesus’ name.
• To arrange for Holy Communion when needed.
• Yearly, to help out in arranging for Holy Anointing for the Sick.
• Other duties depends on situation most critical.
Youth are most welcome to join this ministry. For Visiting of the Sick, helpers are to go in pairs.
For more information, please contact Joseph Chew at 9297 1026 (chewjoe@singnet.com.sg).
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SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL (SSVDP)
The mission of the Society of St Vincent de Paul is to promote better understanding of the public to the needs of the poor and underprivileged and to encourage the public to take an active part in alleviating the sufferings and needs of the poor and needy.
In the various parishes in Singapore, members of the Society, called Vincentians, come together to form conferences to carry out this mission to follow Christ through service to those in need and to bear witness to His compassionate love.
The conference in the Church of St Francis of Assisi is called the Conference of Our Lady of Fatima. It has 24 members. The conference currently caters to the needs of 50 needy families in the Boon Lay/Jurong area. Members meet these families once a month to provide them with cash aid, NTUC vouchers and donated food items. In addition to this, the conference also provides these families with cash subsidies for medical treatment as well as educational grants for their children.
Members of the conference meet fortnightly to review and reflect on the work they do and the service they carry out as Vincentians. They also make regular home visits to monitor the welfare of the families they care for in Boon Lay and Jurong.
For more information, please contact Dominic Sequerah at 9380 0841 (dominic.sequerah@statschippac.com)
Or Lucy Kok at 9561 7625 (lucykok@yahoo.com.sg).