CFC Milestones | 2021
The theme “Strive for holiness, put on love”, was anchored on two verses: Joshua 3:5 and Colossians 3:14. The previous year’s call implied a way to holiness that one must traverse—the journey being more meaningful if done in love and hand-in-hand with brethren.
The year also marked the 40th anniversary of CFC. The number 40 is significant in the Bible, denoting a time of trials and purification, but also the end of wandering in the desert and entering the promised land. The community looked forward to a year of wonders and miracles while actively participating in God’s call.
On August 28, the first-ever Live Catholic Conference was held online. The advocacy aims for members to be more involved in the life and works of the Church through our charism. The call to be in fellowship with other Church organizations is what led to opening the conference to members and ministries of the various dioceses.
CFC Milestones | 2022
The pandemic began to ebb, but it left in its wake a multitude of people confounded and doubtful of God’s presence. The announcement of the theme “Christ Heals” (2 Chronicles 7:14) was opportune time to allow the Lord to make us new—not only physically, but also spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
The 10th World Meeting of Families, which was supposed to take place in 2021, was postponed to this year as Covid-19 restrictions became more lax. The conference was held on June 2022 in Rome, Italy. Among the 2,000 delegates, some members of the International Council were in attendance to represent Couples for Christ.
After 2 years of virtual walks, ANCOP once again held their annual walk in person. The event was conducted in different regions and mission areas across the globe. The Metro Manila walk gathered around three thousand participants in Quezon Memorial Circle.
CFC Milestones | 2023
For the second time, the leading of the Spirit brought the CFC family to retain the theme “Christ Heals”, but with the call to “Rise, Pick Up Your Mat, and Go!” (Mark 2:10-11). It was a clear call to action for the community to leave comfort zones, pick up the mat of woundedness, and have faith and a complete trust in God that CFC will receive the grace to overcome challenges and obstacles.
On June 2023, after the 25th anniversary of the first World Congress of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities, the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, held its annual meeting with lay movement moderators. Then CFC Chairman Joe Yamamoto delivered a report on how Couples for Christ is responding to the Vatican’s call to live a truly missionary apostolic life, narrating how Couples for Christ, as a recognized ecclesial community of Pontifical right, has been striving for the last 42 years to live a truly apostolic life by being family evangelizers.
The 2023 World Youth Day was an event to behold as Liveloud was granted the opportunity to lead pilgrims in worship on two separate stages of the Youth Festival, including the main WYD stage. The band represented not only the community, but also the Philippines, as they were the lone Filipino performers chosen to grace the stage.
This year also saw the return of face-to-face activities as lockdown restrictions were slowly lifted. In person conferences for CFC and its Family Ministries began to return and members of the community were urged to rely less on virtual gatherings as physical proximity is important in building stronger relationships and in journeying with each other.
CFC Milestones | 2024
The past 2 years was a time of healing and forgiveness in the community. This year, CFC was reminded that our healing doesn’t just end in comfort, rather it was intended for us to remember that we were made for more. Thus we were enjoined to “Be a Servant and a Light to the Nations” (Isaiah 49:6). As families in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth, we were to share our giftedness through a deeper and greater commitment to embrace authentic servanthood through Christ’s perfect example of humility and obedience.
CFC’s Social Development Program was spun off into a legal entity bearing the brand name Missio Amare. The organization is committed to holistic development — social, economic and spiritual. From environment to migrant support, every program is designed to uplift communities and restore human dignity.
With the looming threat of the passage of HB 9349 or the Absolute Divorce Bill, CFC joined the Super Coalition Against Divorce, which comprised of different Catholic family and life advocates and religious groups, aimed to raise awareness and express opposition against the bill. On its 43rd anniversary, CFC also held a press conference presenting the manifesto “Pamilya’y Patibayan, Huwag Sanang Wasakin!” (Strengthen the Family, Do Not Destr
CFC Milestones | 2025
This year’s theme “Rejoice! Take Courage! Return to Galilee” (Mat 28:8,10) allowed us to look back at where we started as individuals and as a community and what urged us too heed the Lord’s call to follow Him.
On January 19, CFC hosted the Family is a Gift Empowerment Sessions and Speakers Training at the UP Bonifacio Global City. The event aimed that future leaders of the CFC community be uplifted and be enriched with practical wisdom and spiritual knowledge on emphasizing the profound impact of faith and holiness upon the family’s day-to-day concerns.
It was a year of celebration for the community as we ushered in the silver jubilee of the Vatican’s recognition of CFC as an international lay association of the faithful with pontifical rights. Because of this, CFC held their first Global Conference in Castel Gandolfo in Italy. The conference was conducted in 2 batches over 2 weekends in May with various cardinals and bishops delivering the sessions. Delegates also had the chance to go on pilgrimage around the different jubilee churches around Rome as 2025 was also an ordinary jubilee for the Catholic Church.
CFC was deeply blessed to be among the thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural General Audience: an event that providentially took place during the week between the two runs of our first Global Conference in Italy. CFC’s Chairman/ President, Joe Yamamoto, together with his wife, Mila, also proudly presented the Holy Father with a simple token of gratitude for the Holy See’s trust in our community: a shirt commemorating our Global Conference, and a moment that served as a resounding call to mirror the love and generosity of the Father.
CFC Milestones | 2026
We celebrate our 45th anniversary with the theme “In the One, We are One” (1 John 1:3-4), which also resonates with our current pope’s motto. As a community, embodied accompaniment is one of our charisms where we all embark on a shared journey of growth in Christ.
The annual gathering of ecclesial movements and lay associations, which is recognized by the Holy See in the Vatican, was attended by CFC representatives Bro. Arnel Santos (Chairman & President) and Bro. Norman Robles (IC member). This shows how our community continues to have a seat at the table and a reminder that we remain connected to the central governing body of the Catholic Church.
We at Couples for Christ pride ourselves not only in forming leaders, but also missionaries, priests, bishops, and consecrated religious who serve the wider Church. Some notable events in the first half of the year include the Episcopal Ordination of Most Rev. Samuel Agcaracar SVD, DD, a former Singles for Christ member and the first SFC ordained as a bishop. We also celebrate the priestly ordinations of Rev. Fr. Rod Mellarpis SVD, former SFC from Metro Manila-Central B, and Rev. Fr. Rolly Zoleta OFM Cap, who was former fulltime pastoral worker from Marinduque. We also congratulate Sr. Donnalynn Marie Morta, SPC, former fulltime pastoral worker, who made her perpetual vows. Lastly another former fulltime pastoral worker, Sr. Jessah Clarito, made her first vow.
Exciting developments happened on the weekend of April 25-26, when the Lord opened doors for CFC to establish in three new countries: Estonia, Lithuania, and Slovenia–giving us new opportunities to share Christ’s love with more families.
Our work for the poor through ANCOP continues to thrive. At present, 5,051 scholars have graduated through the same school year. There are currently 143 seminarians 21 ordained priests supported by ANCOP. Recently, 2 of those sponsored seminarians, Bro. Aldwin Danid, MMSJ and Bro.Cristan Azañes, MMSJ, were ordained deacons.
With all these milestones for the past 45 years of Couples for Christ, we can truly see how the Lord has been so good to us! Despite all the challenges, His promise never fails and we continue to witness the fruit of His works through us. As one family, let us soldier on to continue the mission entrusted to us.
Happy 45th Anniversary, Couples for Christ! 
