Couples for Christ in Israel

Couples for Christ (CFC) began in 1981 in Manila, Philippines, when a small charismatic group, "Joy in the Lord", realized that to effectively renew society, a conversion to Christ was necessary within the family, involving both spouses.

The approach and strategy was to invite prospective couples to a private home and bring them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through a series of weekly informal discussion on the Gospel.

Beginning from the first 16 couples who joined the weekly gathering, CFC became a Christian family life renewal program which became active in parishes. The CFC soon realized that the couple's renewal would be incomplete without family renewal.

Beginning in 1993, CFC established the Family Ministries namely: Kids for Christ, Youth for Christ, Singles for Christ, Handmaids of the Lord and Servants of the Lord. In 1996, CFC was approved by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines as a national private association of lay faithful and in year 2000, was recognized by the Holy See (Vatican) as a private international association of the lay faithful of pontifical right.

Through the years, CFC has blossomed worldwide. It is now present in all 81 provinces and dioceses in the Philippines and it has been brought to 163 countries, including Israel. It has become a major force for the renewal of Christian family life and of the Church.

Any validly married Catholic couple can become a member of CFC.

Couples for Christ came to Israel in November of 1996. Israel is the 33rd country where CFC is planted. CFC is not only for Filipinos but for all people in the world. A group of Filipino workers, while on a Saturday pilgrimage, began CFC in Israel and the first sessions were held in a Tel-Aviv restaurant on Allenby Street. After Tel-Aviv, CFC became active in Jerusalem, Haifa, Netanya, Bersheeva, Rehovot and Herzliya.

At the end of 2011, CFC celebrated 15 years in Israel. Part of the celebration was a unique wedding ceremony held at Saint Anthony's parish in Jaffa on November 26, 2011. Six couples came forward to receive the sacrament of marriage and thirty nine other couples renewed their marital vows. The mass wedding and renewal of vows was officiated by Franciscan Father Daniel Mose Schroder, together with Fathers Peter Ashton and Arturo Vasaturo.

To the Couples for Christ website here