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Conventions

Overview

CFM USA National Conventions or Conferences are typically held every three years. Families from CFM groups all over the USA come together for four days, usually a Thursday through Sunday, to share experiences, listen to speakers, participate in family activities, and celebrate. Children attend special sessions geared specifically for pre-schoolers, elementary school, middle school and high school. Families come together for group activities and meals.

The last National Convention was July 15-17, 2005 in Inverness, IL, a northwest suburb of Chicago. National Conventions have been replaced in recent years with a "family conference" held in conjunction with the CFM Summer Board meeting. Other National Conventions in the past were in 2002 in Miami, FL; 1999 at Notre Dame, IN, celebrating the Golden Jubilee of CFM (1949-1999); 1997 in Dallas, TX; 1995 in Oberlin, OH; 1993 in Dubuque, IA.

Various International CFM (ICCFM) Continental Assemblies are held throughout the world every year. ICCFM World Assemblies are held every three years.

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Conventions

2005 National Convention July 15-16, 2005, Inverness, IL

The 2005 National Marriage and Family Life Conference "Fanning the Fire of Faith" was attended by 250 enthusiastic participants at Holy Family Parish in Inverness, Ill. Starting with the Friday evening appearance of the Doug Brummel as Estelle, a new member of the "Red Hat Society" to the joyful celebration of the Eucharist and concluding party on Saturday the weekend event was fun filled and uplifting for all ages. Doug Brummel introduced us to all seven of his characters during three presentations during the weekend and through their stories helped participants explore their own wit and wisdom of faith and family life. Audiences responded enthusiastically to his gentle humor and humanity. Keynote presenter and pastor of Holy Family Father Pat Brennan shared some of the aspects of family ministry at Holy Family parish and then focused on forgiveness as an aspect of important family life. He emphasized the fact that forgiveness and reconciliation are not identical. Forgiveness is internal while reconciliation is interpersonal, a process of restoring trust in a relationship. Both are necessary for healthy family life. Brennan reviewed the steps forgiveness and noted that forgiving someone can lead to the process of reconciliation. One participant noted that Father Brennan' s presentation was "worth the trip all by itself." Terri and Andrew Lyke spoke to the conference about ways couples encourage each other in their marital commitment. The Lykes noted that CFM groups are a good example of formal communities of faith that can mentor marriage. They asked participants to identify couples who have been examples for them and couple who have walked with them through the trials of married life. The couple also said that young couples are prone to watching the behavior of couples around them and often identify one to emulate in their marriage. They encouraged participants to tell those who have been good examples to them how they feel. The afternoon was filled with opportunities to follow up on special interests. Greg Pierce spoke on the way one can find God in the "thick places" of life, in the midst of work and child rearing. Pierce is author of the book, Spirituality@work published by ACTA. James Healy gave two popular workshops on communications traps in marriage. Steve and Kathy Bierne spoke about how taking a positive approach to the challenges marriage presents can make all the difference in the outcome. Mary Louis Kurey spoke on sexuality and Robin Hafey spoke on setting priorities. A choir of participants led by Colin Colette, music director at Holy Family, provided the music for the concluding liturgy with presider Father Don Conroy, CFM chaplain. Children and youth had special roles to play during the liturgy. A concluding dinner rounded out the celebration. Many thanks go the local chairs Mary and Phil Whiteside and Tom and Laura Toussaint and all the local CFMers who helped make the weekend run so well. Click here for the 2005 Conference web page.

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ICCFM Ninth World Assembly July 28-August 1, 2004, Santa Clara, CA

The 9th World Assembly and 13th General Assembly of the International Confederation of Christian Family Movements (ICCFM) took place July 28-August 1, 2004 at Benson Center, Santa Clara University (SCU) in Santa Clara, California, USA. The World Assembly and General Assembly of the ICCFM was held on the beautiful rose gardened campus of Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California, USA. Santa Clara, California is adjacent to San Jose, California and 10 minutes away from the Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC). Participants representing twenty nations participated in discussions on the theme "Family: Artisans of an Evolving Society". The diverse group brought widely disparate observations of marriage and family life to the meeting from the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. The 9th World Assembly in California was organized much like a 3-day Christian Family Movement meeting. OBSERVE QUESTIONS FOR THE ICCFM NINTH WORLD ASSEMBLY 2004: Observe the status, trends and issues regarding marriage and family life in the United States. In the US, what are the cultural-specific reasons that people marry? What is the role of marriage and family life within the culture of the US? What is the impact of Christian marriage on the US? What impact do government, church and culture have on marriage and family life in the US? What do you think marriage and family life will be like in the future? What is the true meaning of Christian marriage? Dr. Frank Sicius, historian and author from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, broadened the discussion by reviewing the historical and sociological evolution of marriage and the family from Roman times to the present day. Dr. Julie Hanlon Rubio, St. Louis (Mo.) University, presented a Christian theology of marriage to help the participants probe the spiritual aspects of their vocation. Dr. Rubio, spoke on the subject of her book, A Christian Theology of Marriage and Family, and how, in a changing society, family contributes to community. The group had a chance to experience first hand the challenges the poor face in marriage and family life through visits to the Sacred Heart Community Center in San Jose and Santa Clara facility of Catholic Charities. Discussion of all these experiences resulted in a resolution to promote the vision, values, and virtues of Christian marriage and family through prayer and action: in the family, in the Church, and in society. Each country resolved to implement this resolution in ways that were appropriate in their circles of influence. Each continent broke down into language groups to Judge the input from the Observes. The continents compiled the facts from the Observes and evaluated them based on gospel values. Each country developed a series of action statements that were presented to the Assembly body and carried home for Action. The ICCFM Assembly was conducted in both Spanish and English using live translation and special equipment. Assembly information and registration was in both languages. The group enjoyed several experiences of California multi-culturalism. They enjoyed a barbecue at Vasona County Park in Los Gatos. There they were treated to a Mariachi performance by local school children. "Elvis" made an appearance at the closing banquet on Saturday night. At the concluding celebration of Mass, Tony and Lily Gauci of Malta, and Father Sam Palmer, Des Moines, Iowa, were honored with the Cardijn award for outstanding service to ICCFM. There were excellent accommodations in two forms for the Assembly. People chose to home stay with an MFC or CFM family in the San Jose area or at the beautiful Beverly Heritage Hotel. For more information on this Assembly, including photos, texts of speeches, etc. visit www.iccfm.org/convhome.html 140 delegates attended the ICCFM Assembly 2004.

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2002 National Convention July 4-7, 2002, Miami, FL

David Thomas and Joe Holland were keynote speakers at the recent Christian Family Movement conference in Miami on the theme: "God Is In Our House: A Weekend Celebrating Family Spirituality." In his presentation "The Road Never Traveled - The Prophetic Role of Today's Christian Family," Thomas invoked an image of family that takes as its model the Trinity, a community of equal persons. Thomas suggested that "total democratization" of the human family (and the church) has never been tried, but should be explored, he said. "We have room to grow in equality, especially in structures based on hierarchy." Thomas invited adults and teens to imagine a world in which all are valued and treated equally. He said that a domestic church that reflects mutuality could be a model for a vital church structure that replaces the clericalism of past history. These lessons are especially important in view of the current sex abuse scandals the church faces according to Thomas. Thomas is currently co-director of the Bethany Family Institute of Highland Ranch, Colo., and Carmarthen, Wales.

Dave Thomas explains the Trinity during his talk.

Joe Holland, professor of philosophy and religion at St. Thomas University in Miami, Fla., examined the historical roots of the devaluation of marriage prevalent in Western Culture when he addressed the assembly. Holland described marriage as "the sacrament of the regeneration of life and community," and called for the recognition of marriage as the "strategically central sacrament for the postmodern church." Holland urged his audience of Christian Family Movement members to live and/or to support marriage as an authentic partnership. "Plant seeds of the new civilization in the shell of the old," he said. Raising youth who understand this vision of mutuality in marriage is especially vital for such seeds to grow, he said. A presentation on Cardinal Joseph Cardijn and the origins of the Christian Family Movement was given by Paul and Jane Leingang, CFM executive directors. Cardinal Cardijn, as a young Belgian priest in the early part of the twentieth century, spread the use of the "See, Judge, Act" methodology. He guided the Young Christian Workers and the Young Christian Students, organizations which spread from Belgium and France throughout much of the world. In 1965, Canon Cardijn was made an archbishop and a cardinal, so he could participate in the last session of the Second Vatican Council. Cardijn's methodology is the principle underlying the Christian Family Movement's emphasis on family involvement in social outreach.

Dr. Joe Holland shared with confence attendees his vision for the Church in post-modern times.

The CFM conference in Miami also included workshops on family spirituality and a cultural "exposure tour" of the Haitian and Cuban communities. The meetings were held at the parish facilities of St. Louis Church in Miami, which has a vibrant CFM community. St. Louis Church was featured in the book, Excellent Catholic Parishes, by Paul Wilkes.

	Bishop Agustin Roman explains the Cuban mural at the Ermita La Caridad in Miami.
	Nop and Elma Muangkroot, ICCFM President Couple, attended the conference from Bangkok, Thailand.
Building God's House. The theme of the Convention was "God is in Our House". The central portion of this structure was present throughout the convention. Prior to the Closing Mass, families were invited to make posters showing what they had learned and what actions they were going to take as a result of the Convention experience. At offertory of the closing Mass, families came up and their posters were attached to this addition to the central portion of the structure, in essence, the buidling blocks of "our house".
	Teens gather outside Haiti mission.
	The ICCFM Presidents (left) work with Fr. Don and Jane (right) on an International Poster.
	Southern California CFMers.

 

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