A Journey of Being One in the One with the Entire Couples for Christ Community
By Franco “Cocoy” B. Pelayo
As part of the pre-anniversary events of the Couples for Christ (CFC) 46th Anniversary Celebration, CFC leaders, Family Ministries coordinators and leaders, fulltime pastoral workers, and mission volunteers from the Philippines and various countries gathered at Space at One Ayala in Makati City on June 17, 2026, to participate in the Family Ministry Summit.
The Family Ministries Summit provided all participants not only with an opportunity to come together and build camaraderie as servants and leaders of the community, but more importantly, it served as a venue for everyone to deepen their appreciation of serving our Lord through their own families, the different Family Ministries, and the entire CFC community.
The half-day event was filled with various activities. Bro. Butsch Borja and his family, as part of the Music Ministry from CFC Laguna, led the opening worship. In his exhortation, he stressed that, “When a family chooses God, He blesses not only the present but also the future.”
Following the opening worship, Bro. Lawrence Quintero, a member of the CFC International Council delivered the welcome remarks, emphasizing that the entire CFC community and the Family Ministries are one. We have “One God, One Family, and One Mission.” After the welcome remarks, Most Rev. Bartolome G. Santos, Jr., DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Iba, Zambales, greeted the congregation. In his message, he emphasized the importance of the family in the spiritual accompaniment of the youth, focusing on love as one of the most essential elements that families must possess in this mission of accompaniment.
The first session, entitled “Journeying with Children with Special Needs,” was delivered by Dr. Francis Xavier Dimalanta. He provided valuable insights on how to care for children with special needs. One of his notable thoughts was that no child should ever be defined by a diagnosis and that no family raising a child with special needs should face its challenges alone. He stressed the role of the family in supporting and accompanying the child while also seeking help and support from others, especially from God. He likewise reminded everyone in CFC that we must become “Companions for Every Child.”
Dr. Sheila Marie “Shake” Guevarra-Hocson delivered the second session entitled “Fostering Empathy and Emotional Safety: Daily Appreciation and Positive Reinforcement.” Focusing on ways to improve relationships within the family, particularly with the young, Sis. Shake discussed the importance of positive well-being and empathy at home in fostering better relationships through communication and being present in the lives of our children. More importantly, she highlighted the presence of love within the family, saying, “Where there is love, there is a miracle.”
After the second session, Bro. Rouquel Ponte led the congregation in a “Conversation in the Spirit,” which facilitated group sharing and the internalization of the talks that had been given. Through this activity, members of the community were able to share their insights with one another.
The program then proceeded to the third session entitled “Generational Healing.” In this session, the congregation was led through a profound spiritual experience aimed at healing not only the hurts of the present but also those of the past. It encouraged all attendees to go deeper within themselves to experience healing and to foster better relationships within their families.
Afterward, Bro. Arnel Sacris, International Council Member and Family Ministry Head, discussed a deeper approach to integrating the CFC Family Ministries within Couples for Christ through the updated Pastoral Guides of the community. In this session, the participants gained valuable insights into how the community can truly become one. The session concluded with a question-and-answer portion during which participants sought clarifications regarding the pastoral guides, which were answered by members of the CFC International Council and various CFC International Ministry Coordinators.
To conclude the activity, Bro. Norman Robles, CFC International Council Member, led the closing prayer, during which everyone present was invited to consecrate their families to the Holy Family.
Indeed, the event was inspiring and uplifting for all who attended as we continue our journey of being one in the One and move forward in fulfilling our vision of “Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of the Earth.”
