‘Love More’ Couples For Christ annual theme asks of us |27 March 2015

Over 300 members of Couples For Christ gathered at the University of Seychelles (UniSey) last Saturday for the movement’s annual renewal conference during which the theme for this year  - ‘Love More’ - was officially announced.

Couples for Christ (CFC) members from Praslin and La Digue also took part in the conference.

The day-long conference, which culminated in a mass late in the afternoon presided by Bishop Denis Wiehe, included worship, praise, songs, a sketch,  different group sessions which analysed and discussed the chosen theme, sessions which helped couples through in depth self-examination and self worth, and a session during which the CFC relooked at length all the services its different ministries offer and explore ways through new initiatives as to how best to extend them further to touch the lives of more people in the different communities.

CFC is an international Catholic lay movement whose goal is to renew and strengthen Christian family life and values.
Rosie Denis, a CFC leader and educator, described the conference as very successful, spiritually enriching and full of exchanges.

“We are really satisfied with the outcome as it was a great opportunity for members to do a spiritual renewal and in return receive a sort of renewed vigour  for their evangelisation mission,” Mrs Denis said.

Commenting on the session which dwelled on the chosen theme which is ‘Love More’, Mrs Denis said apart from exploring innovative ways to reach out to people in our community, members also learned that they have to sacrifice more of their time and talents, pray a lot to have the necessary strength if they want to help bring more of our families closer to God.

“This is not always easy but with faith and strength derive from the power of God a way will always be found,” Mrs Denis said.
She noted that the sketch on an evangelisation mission gave a lot of food for thought.

“It was about a group of people who had painstakingly prepared to go on a mission but suddenly all their plans were in doubt as it began to rain. Some members of the group backed down, others were undecided but in the end they all decided to start praying and while they prayed it gradually stopped raining and a ray of light appeared. They were able to go on their mission even with some delay,” Mrs Denis recounted.

She noted that everybody who attended the conference left contented and spiritually fulfilled.
According to CFC’s chairperson and executive director John Tale this year’s theme ‘Love More ‘ is inspired by a chapter in the Bible John 21: 15-17 .

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, “do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

“The theme is a result of beholding God’s love, and after pondering how beloved we really are. It is an expression of gratefulness - for the grace, mercy and compassion showered on us by Him who became poor to make us rich, and had to suffer and die on the cross, and resurrect to initiate reconciliation and fellowship with Him.

“It springs from a gentle reminder of the Lord that of the many things that we are called to do, we must make sure that we do not miss on the most essential: loving God and loving our neighbour. It is a humble admission that it is love that moves mission. While we may think that we have done much, we have actually done too little because we have loved too little. We have to do more by loving more. We have to strengthen one another more by serving and loving each other more,” Mr Tale said.

The accompanying pictures show scenes from the conference.

M-A.L