Single men and women,devoted to Jesus Christ, are invitedto participate in Singles for Christ,one of the family ministries ofCouples for Christ. Singles for Christ wants to help single menand women in their discovery andpursuit of vocations and to fulfiltheir mission of building a Christcentredsociety.
“It is open to anyone age 21 to40 years old who is not marriedand includes those who want tolive a life of single blessednessor religious vocation as a state oflife,” said member A.J. Watin, anorganizer of the Christian LifeProgram.
Before singles can be acknowledgedas a full-fledged member ofthe Singles for Christ Program,they must complete the 13-weekChristian Life Program.
“The Christian Life Program isan integrated course intended tolead the program participants intoa renewed understanding of God’scall to them as Christian singles.The sessions consist of teaching, agroup discussion and time for fellowship,”said Watin.
The goals of the program areevangelism and spiritual renewal.
“The Christian Life Programwants people to take the basicmessage of Christianity andproclaim it to people so that theymay reconsider their commitmentto God and renew their commitment.This in turn will allowpeople to receive a fuller experienceof the work of the Holy Spiritin their lives,” said Watin.
“The mission of Singles forChrist is to build the Church ofthe Home and the Church of thePoor,” said Watin, quoting thegroup’s web site. They have a visionthat every single man and womanacross the world will be able to experienceChrist.
Watin adds, “Singles for Christmembers must go through a seriesof pastoral formation sessions fornourishment and sustenance. Thisis a key part to their growth as individualsand empowerment asservants in the ministry.”
The 13-week Christian LifeProgram started March 15 andruns from 6 to 9 p.m. at Our Ladyof Lourdes parish in Toronto. Thesessions are divided into an orientationsession and then threemodules with four sessions each.The three modules are the basictruths about Christianity, theauthentic Christian life and livinga spirit-filled Christian life.
After the Christian Life Program is complete, memberswho join Singles for Christbecome part of a small cell groupcalled a household. The householdis composed of five to seven peoplewho meet regularly for mutualsupport and encouragement intheir Christian life under thedirection of a household leader.
In household meetings,members receive basic pastoralnourishment and guidance insessions that rotate through thehomes of members. Meetingsconsist of prayer time, a time forsharing and discussion and fellowship.Household meetings arekept separate between males andfemales. Women have separatehousehold leaders and meetingsthan those of the men. Typically,there are at least two householdmeetings per month, each lastingaround two and a half hours.
There are also specializedmonthly assemblies that cater tospecific topics and issues, such asprayer and teaching.
Both Singles for Christ andthe Christian Life Program arefree. The only investment peoplemust give is their time and theiropenness.
For more information, see www.sfc-toronto.org.
(Swist, 16, is a student at LorettoAbbey Catholic Secondary School inToronto.)