The Couples for Christ ministry, a worldwide Vatican approved family life ministry present in 127 countries, held its sixth Caribbean conference in Trinidad over four days of spirit-filled talks at the Jean Pierre complex.

The theme of the conference was God is Enough taken from Psalm 23: 1 “ The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I lack ”.

Bishop Reece preaches at the opening Mass of Couples For Christ Caribbean conference

The talks were presented by international and regional speakers and the topics covered during the weekend were: “There is nothing I shall want” by Frank Padilla, the International Missions Director from the Philippines and one member of the original sixteen couples who started the ministry in 1981; “Do I walk in the Valley of Death?” by Lloyd Theodore of Trinidad & Tobago; “You guide me in the right path” by Ken Browne of St Vincent & the Grenadines; “You prepare a banquet for me” by Asquith Riviere of Antigua and “I will live in Your house forever” by Joe Duran, Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean and National Director of the USA.

The CFC ministry embraces all members of the family including CFC Youth For Christ (YFC) for young persons between the ages of 13 to 20 years, CFC Singles For Christ (SFC) for single men and women from ages 21 to 40 years, CFC Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD) for separated, divorced or widowed women, married women whose husbands are not part of the ministry, single parents and mature single women.

The CFC Servants of the Lord (SOLD) is the male counterpart of the Handmaids. There is also CFC Kids For Christ (KFC), for the children of members of Couples For Christ.

The first day of the conference was dedicated to the Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD) with the focus shifting to the youth on the Saturday with over 200 young persons participating in a vibrant program of stimulating talks, energetic praise & worship, drama and dance presentations.

The Kids Village kept the children active throughout the weekend with a talk on “God made me special because He loves me”, and workshops on drama, singing, dancing, and modelling and other fun activities.

Friday night, Bishop Donald J Reece, Bishop of St John's-Basseterre, Antigua and one of the Presidents of the Caribbean Conference of Churches presided at Holy Mass.

Frs Robert Llanos, Episcopal Vicar of the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission, Peter de la Bastide, Vicar for the Eastern Vicariate, Dwight Merrick and Gerard Tang Choon concelebrated.

The tempo changed on Saturday evening beginning with a taste of Trini favourites such as doubles, shark and bake, corn soup, jerk chicken and more.

This was followed by cultural presentations by the various countries climaxing with the sounds of steel performed by Silver Stars Steel Orchestra.

Parade leaves Jean Pierre Complex for St Theresa's Church, Woodbrook

The conference concluded on Sunday with a lively street parade of approximately 700 persons to the St Theresa's RC Church in Woodbrook where Fr Urban Hudlin, Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation celebrated the closing Mass with a packed congregation.

In his homily, he congratulated CFC and its affiliate organisations for their work, noting however that there was still much work to be done, and not to give up.

Basing much of his sermon on the gospel reading, he said the organisation must strive to be “all embracing, all encompassing” in its ministry.

To do this, leaders must be willing - as Jesus with the Canaanite woman - to listen to the many voices being heard. He gave as examples young people and “the voices of experience”.

He said there is a “who is in, who is out” dynamic with many thinking it is okay to “tighten the circle” and strengthen the boundaries between those inside the Church and outsiders. But people forget, Fr Hudlin continued, that those outside “didn't fall from the sky. They didn't just arrive. The sad truth is they came from us and because they are part of us, we must care.”

He said in any case, “God does not make outsiders. We all belong on the inside.” He urged members that as they continue their work in their different dioceses, not to lose their vision.

It was a most enjoyable, energy-filled weekend with the CFC music ministry setting the pace with vibrant songs of praise. We look forward to the next Caribbean Conference set for St Maarten in 2006!