Week 1 – Culture in CFCA covering:
1) CFCA is a Catholic Charismatic Community
2) CFCA is a welcoming and culturally diverse community
3) CFCA Code of Conduct
1) CFCA is a Catholic Charismatic Community
CFCA as a Catholic Community operates under the guidance and direction
of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Our charism, principles,
values, practices, devotions, and activities are always aligned with that of
the Catholic Church. We follow the Catholic Church liturgical year and
observe her Seasons, Feast Days and Holy Days of Obligation. Our members
and leaders are encouraged to actively serve and participate in the worship
life of their respective parishes. Our Covenant calls for our members and
leaders to pray daily, read the Scriptures everyday and meditate on the
message of the Word of God. It also calls for our members and leaders to
attend Mass regularly, at least on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and
regularly avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
As a Charismatic Community we meet regularly in small cell groups called
Households in an atmosphere of love, respect and support for one another
in our effort to grow in our knowledge and love of God, and to show this
love in our attitude towards our neighbours. In our meetings and
assemblies, we exercise our charismatic gifts through lively singing, raising
hands, clapping, vocal praise and worship, prophecy, reading passages from
the Scriptures, speaking/singing in tongues, intercessory prayers and
sharing of faith experiences. We share with one another how the Lord have
touched our lives, the small but significant modern day to day miracle we
experience and the many ways the Holy Spirit manifests His power and gifts
to us.
2) CFCA is a welcoming and culturally diverse community
Australia is a diverse and multicultural country. Australia is home to one of
the world’s oldest indigenous cultures, as well as the millions of Australians
from more than 270 ethnic ancestries and cultural backgrounds. Since
1945, several million people have migrated to Australia from all over the
world. This rich cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is
central to our national identity. Likewise, the Catholic Church in Australia is
also culturally diverse. CFCA is a vibrant, prayerful community, embracing
and respecting the multicultural nature and diverse culture of all ethnic
groups in Australia. Essential to this is our awareness and adherence to the
CFCA Code of Conduct.
CFCA is a culturally and ethnically inclusive community.
3) CFCA Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct is a summary of guidelines for all leaders and
members of Couples for Christ Australia (CFCA) to understand and adhered
to. As a Catholic Christian community, we are expected to live by the Word
of God and the teachings, values, morals and traditions of the Catholic
Church. Our inward and outward behaviour must show our love for God
and neighbours. Leaders of CFCA are expected to show good examples of
leadership to their members, as exemplified by the leadership qualities of
Jesus Christ and His apostles. This code is supplementary to the Covenant of
CFCA and is an expression of one’s love and care for one another. In any
relationship, let us all be guided by 1 John 4:7 “Let us love one another,
because love is of God.”
1. We express our love for God by:
• Actively participating in the activities of CFCA and the parish where
we belong.
• Actively supporting and serving our respective parishes and
participating in the worship life of the Church.
• Faithfully attending regular Household meetings, assemblies,
trainings, pastoral formation teachings and other activities of CFCA.
• Diligently studying the Scriptures and applying the message to our
daily life.
• Generously giving our time, talents, treasures and other gifts in order
to build up God’s Kingdom on earth.
• Being faithful to the Covenant of CFCA.
• Sharing the Gospel to others as ambassadors for Christ.
2. We express our love for others by:
• Loving and caring for our immediate families, extended families,
friends, co-workers and neighbours.
• Showing respect to others, whether they are in agreement with us or
not.
• Supporting the Family Ministries and other Ministries of the CFCA
community.
• Being a positive influence especially to those who need it most.
• Cooperating with leaders and members to achieve our common
goals.
• Respecting confidentiality in matters that may arise during prayer
meetings and assemblies.
• Our programs and activities in the Love in Action (Work with the
Poor) Ministry.
• Providing safe and secure environment to our members and leaders
especially those who are vulnerable.
• Avoiding conflicts among members which may undermine genuine
relationships.
3. As committed members and leaders of CFCA, we are committed to:
• Be faithful to God, the Gospel, our Covenant and to one another.
• Accept personal responsibility and accountability of our own actions
or lack thereof.
• Respect the decision of our elders.
• Respect the opinions of our members.
• Ensure that lines of communications are open, and all information
are cascaded down to the members efficiently and in a timely
manner.
• Be honest in all dealings with leaders and members of the
community.
• Avoid actions or speech which may cause distrust and breakdown of
relationships.
• Follow the precepts and teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Support the activities of our own parish as part of our service and
cooperation with other Christian groups within the parish.
• Avoid sending/sharing negative and/or offensive information, fake
news, false ideologies and messages promoting disunity, disharmony,
division, hate, racism, extremism and other form of discrimination via
the social media.
• In a Christian way, admonish a brother/sister in matters of discipline
or unacceptable behaviour or indifference to the Gospel and
teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Exercise the duty of care to those in need, especially members of the
CFCA community.
• Be a good citizen of Australia by embracing her culture, respecting
her laws and regulations, integrating with the society and actively
participating in the observance and celebration of the major
occasions in this country.
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