Missionary Families of Christ
The Missionary Families of Christ (MFC) is a Philippine-based Catholic charismatic lay community that emphasizes individual renewal, family life renewal, Church renewal, societal renewal and evangelization. MFC is a missionary body, and the families and individuals that make up this association are to strive to be instruments of the Holy Spirit in renewing the face of the earth.
| Motto | Defending Faith, Family and Life |
|---|---|
| Formation | June 1981 |
| Type | Catholic charismatic group |
| Headquarters | Apartelle 12, Star Mall, Edsa corner Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong, Philippines |
Servant-General | Francisco "Frank" Padilla |
| Website | www.missionaryfamiliesofchrist.org |
7 Core Values
The community's Core Values describe who they are and what they are called to do in the world. They provide parameters and constant guideposts in their moving on in their life and mission.
- Centered on Christ.
- Evangelistic and Missionary.
- Focused on the family.
- Being community.
- Living a preferential option for the poor.
- Exercising servant leadership.
- Being a servant to the Church.
History
Missionary Families of Christ is the new name, mission and vision of the former CFC-FFL. CFC-FFL came about in 2007 through the initiative of leaders and members of Couples for Christ-Global Missions Foundation (CFC-GMFI), it is led by one of the first sixteen couples of Couples for Christ - Frank Padilla. It is recognized in various archdioceses and dioceses around the Philippines and has a number of international affiliations.[1]
CFC-FFL originally started as a restoration movement within CFC; this was led by the Easter Group. The movement began on April 8, 2007, following the dissemination of then CFC Director Francisco Padilla's paper "CFC and GK – 3: At the Crossroads on our Journey of Hope and Joy,"[2] which argued that, among other things, CFC's identity and presence in Gawad Kalinga (GK) is being suppressed.
On June 22, 2007, the CFC Elders Assembly was held to elect the members of the CFC International Council and the Board of Elders. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) recommended that the elections be postponed in favor of further dialogue with the Easter Group.[3] The Elders Assembly declined the recommendation, and proceeded with the election. The Easter group argued that by declining the recommendation of the CBCP, CFC has disobeyed the Roman Catholic Church. This event and continuing disagreements regarding Gawad Kalinga galvanized the Easter Group to separate,[4] and form the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life.
The group was established on August 1, 2007, when Bishop Gabriel Reyes, the bishop of Antipolo, officially recognized[5] it as a private association of the faithful in his diocese. CFC FFL's break-away from GMFI was officially declared after their leaders met with Philippine bishops on August 28, 2007.[6]
On October 6, 2019, CFC-FFL officially changed its name to Missionary Families of Christ, as the new name now describes and encompasses the mission and vision of the community.[7]
Organization
According to MFC statutes, members of MFC are organized into cell groups called a Household. A group of Households form a larger grouping, and such larger groupings form an even larger grouping, forming a pyramidal structure.
Within MFC are various Sections that represent the different members of the family. Each Section is equally important as the other. Sections such as MFC Couples,[8] MFC Kids,[9] MFC Youth,[10] MFC Singles[11] (for unmarried adults below the age of 40), MFC Handmaids (for women above 40),[12] and MFC Servants (for men above 40).[13]
In 2012, as a response to the call to New Evangelization, MFC spearheaded the Live Christ, Share Christ Mission (LCSC)[14] whose goal in to mainstream Catholic lay evangelization. The pillars of LCSC are the Live Pure Movement,[15] Live Life,[16] No One In Need Movement [17] and Live the Word.[18]
Servant General
The International MFC Community is headed by the Servant General, Frank Padilla.
The Servant General (SG) acts as the keeper of the charism and exercises overall leadership and governance of the life and mission of the worldwide community.
Servant Leaders of MFC
In the Philippines, it is led by the Servant Council: made up of 7 members chosen by the SG for a term of 2 years, with the Country Servant as first among equals.
| 2020–2022 | 2018–2020 | 2016–2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Ricky Celino (CoS) | Ricky Celino (CoS) | Lachie Agana (CoS) |
| EJ Aguila | Lachie Agana | Manny Canlas |
| Jojo Dunglao | Jojo Dunglao | Maribel Descallar |
| Cocoi Javier | Cocoi Javier | Jojo Dunglao |
| Jepoy Meneses | Jepoy Meneses | Tony Espino |
| Xavier Padilla | Ed Paalam | Jepoy Meneses |
| Dylan Reyes | Xavier Padilla | Oca Oblefias |
2013–2015: The Servant Leadership was composed of the Servant General, the Country Servant of the Philippines, the Body of Counselors to the CoS, and the Apostolic Board (advisory board to the SG).
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Lachie Agana (CoS) | Lachie Agana (CoS) | Lachie Agana (CoS) |
| Manny Canlas | Manny Canlas | Manny Canlas |
| Jojo Dunglao | Jun Caramat | Jun Caramat |
| Tony Espino | Jojo Dunglao | Bobbie Laguitao |
| Cocoi Javier | Bobbie Laguitao | Oca Oblefias |
| Oca Oblefias | Oca Oblefias | Pat Oconer |
| Joseph Tesoro | Joseph Tesoro | Joseph Tesoro |
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Nonong Contreras (Chair) | Nonong Contreras (Chair) | Nonong Contreras (Chair) |
| Lachie Agana (CoS) | Lachie Agana (CoS) | Lachie Agana (CoS) |
| Eric Bravo | Jun Carandang | Mimi David |
| Jun Caramat | Mimi David | Maribel Descallar |
| Ricky Celino | Maribel Descallar | Jojo Dunglao |
| Mimi David | Cocoi Javier | Cocoi Javier |
| Maribel Descallar | Chito Liban | Chito Liban |
| Bobbie Laguitao | Pancho Lopez-Tan | Pancho Lopez-Tan |
| Pancho Lopez-Tan | Ed Mondigo | Ed Mondigo |
| Jepoy Meneses | Bob Murga | Bob Murga |
| Ed Mondigo | Xavier Padilla | Xavier Padilla |
| Xavier Padilla | Charlie Reyes | Charlie Reyes |
2012: The Servant Leadership was composed of the Servant General, the Country Servant of the Philippines and the Body of Counselors to the CoS.
| 2012 |
|---|
| Bob Murga (CoS) |
| Lachie Agana |
| Nonong Contreras |
| Oland David |
| Maribel Descallar |
| Oca Oblefias |
| Pat Oconer |
2008–2011: The Servant Leadership was composed of the Servant General and the Body of Counselors.
| 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lachie Agana | Lachie Agana | Lachie Agana | Lachie Agana |
| Nonong Contreras | Nonong Contreras | Nonong Contreras | Nonong Contreras |
| Mimi David | Mimi David | Oland David | Oland David |
| Oland David | Oland David | Gary Faustino | Gary Faustino |
| Maribel Descallar | Gary Faustino | Pancho Lopez-Tan | Pancho Lopez-Tan |
| Gary Faustino | Bob Murga | Bob Murga | Bob Murga |
| Bob Murga | Oca Oblefias | Roland Nillas | Roland Nillas |
| Oca Oblefias | Pat Oconer | Oca Oblefias | Oca Oblefias |
| Pat Oconer | Xavier Padilla | ||
| Xavier Padilla | Joseph Tesoro | ||
| Jerome Protasio | |||
| Stephen Ramos | |||
| Joseph Tesoro |
National Coordinators of Sections
There are 6 Sections in MFC: Couples, Singles, Youth, Kids, Handmaids and Servants. Each equally important to the life and mission of the community. Prior to MFC, the 5 Sections (Singles, Youth, Kids, Handmaids and Servants) were part of the Family Ministries. In the chart, the Coordinator under MFC Couples are the ones in charge of the Young Couples (YC).
| Year | Sections' Coordinator | MFC Couples | MFC Singles | MFC Youth | MFC Kids | MFC Handmaids | MFC Servants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | EJ Aguila | Bobby Tagulinao (YC) | Julius Eguia | DR Arellano | Jerald Cruz | Menchie Donato | Tom Quijano |
| 2020 | EJ Aguila | Bobby Tagulinao (YC) | EJ Aguila | Julius Eguia | Jermer Cruz | Remy Aguas | Tom Quijano |
| 2019 | EJ Aguila | Jay Pangan (YC) | EJ Aguila | Julius Eguia | Jermer Cruz | Maribel Descallar | Mon Arguelles |
| 2018 | Jepoy Meneses | Jay Pangan (YC) | EJ Aguila | Dylan Reyes | Jermer Cruz | Maribel Descallar | Bambi Urgino |
| 2017 | Jepoy Meneses | Jay Pangan (YC) | JC Sarmiento | Dylan Reyes | Jermer Cruz | Maribel Descallar | Bambi Urgino |
| 2016 | Jepoy Meneses | Jay Pangan (YC) | JC Sarmiento | Dylan Reyes | Jermer Cruz | Reena Murga | Bambi Urgino |
| 2015 | Joseph Tesoro | Jay Pangan (YC) | Jepoy Meneses | Dylan Reyes | JC Sarmiento | Reena Murga | Boy Katigbak |
| 2014 | Joseph Tesoro | Jay Pangan (YC) | Jepoy Meneses | Dylan Reyes | JC Sarmiento | Reena Murga | Boy Katigbak |
| 2013 | Joseph Tesoro | Jun Caramat (YC) | Jepoy Meneses | Cocoi Javier | JC Sarmiento | Reena Murga | Boy Katigbak |
| 2012 | Joseph Tesoro | Mon Arguelles (YC) | Jepoy Meneses | Cocoi Javier | JC Sarmiento | Reena Murga | Boy Katigbak |
| 2011 | Joseph Tesoro | Xavier Padilla (YC) | Jepoy Meneses | Cocoi Javier | JC Sarmiento | Kit Ladrido | Boy Katigbak |
| 2010 | Bob Murga | Xavier Padilla (YC) | Pat Oconer | Joseph Tesoro | Cocoi Javier | Kit Ladrido | Boy Katigbak |
| 2009 | Bob Murga | Gary Faustino (YC) | Pat Oconer | Joseph Tesoro | Xavier Padilla | Kit Ladrido | Boy Katigbak |
| 2008 | Bob Murga | Gary Faustino (YC) | Pat Oconer | Joseph Tesoro | Xavier Padilla | Kit Ladrido | Boy Katigbak |
| 2007 | Lachie Agana | Gary Faustino (YC) | Pat Oconer | Joseph Tesoro | Santi Edralin | Kit Ladrido | Boy Katigbak |
International
Americas
MFC is present in Canada, USA, Ecuador, Argentina, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and the Cayman Islands.
MFC Canada is sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto. It is located in Scarborough, an eastern end of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The ministries serve Catholics around British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario with the majority residing in the Greater Toronto Area such as Brampton, Hamilton, Mississauga, Markham, and a few others.
Europe
MFC is present in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Netherlands, UK, France, Monaco, Spain, Azerbaijan, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovenia.
Africa
MFC is present in Botswana, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, DRCongo, Tanzania, Cameroon and Uganda.
Middle East
MFC is present in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE
Asia
MFC is present in Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, India and Vietnam.
Oceania
MFC is present in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea
Footnotes
- CBCP News Online. "CFC Foundation for Family and Life Doing well".
- Padilla, Frank (April 8, 2007). "CFC and GK – 3: At the Crossroads on our Journey of Hope and Joy" (PDF). Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- CFC Situation : Chronology of Events. "CBCP Letter to the Elders Assembly (June 7, 2007)" (PDF).
- Philippine Daily Inquirer. Differences in beliefs caused Couples split Archived 2007-10-14 at the Wayback Machine (Sept. 4, 2007)
- The CFC Situation: Chronology of Events. "Decree of Recognition, Diocese of Antipolo" (PDF).
- CBCP News Online. "CFC opts to split".
- CBCP News Online. "CFC FFL changes name to Missionary Families of Christ".
- "MFC Couples". MFC Couples. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- "MFC Kids". MFC Kids. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- "MFC Youth". MFC Youth. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- "MFC Singles". MFC Singles. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- "MFC Handmaids". MFC Handmaids. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- "MFC Servants". MFC Servants. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- "Pastoral Exhortation on the Era of New Evangelization: LIVE CHRIST, SHARE CHRIST | Live Christ, Share Christ". livechristsharechrist.net. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
- "Live Pure Movement". livepuremovement.org. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
- "Live Life". Live Life. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- "No One in Need Movement". No One in Need. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- "Liturgical Bible Study". Liturgical Bible Study. Retrieved 2016-10-16.